Jeremiah 44:17-18 “.. we had plenty to eat then, and we lived comfortably and saw no disaster. But since we stopped burning incense to the queen of heaven and pouring out wine offerings to her, we have had nothing but wars and famines.”

Jeremiah responds by saying it is not just the act of incense burning, but in verse 22, “YHWH could no longer bear the wicked and detestable things you did”, and verse 23, “you didn’t live by His Teachings (Torah), decrees, written instructions“

At the end of Chapter 45, we read even the scribe Baruch is feeling deflated, and YHWH says.. in verse 5, “are you looking for great things for yourself?.. don’t look for them, there will be disaster, but you will escape with your life”

In the previous Chapter 44:10 it says, “They have not been humbled, to this day, nor have they feared; they have not walked in My law or in My statutes (Torah) that I set before you and your fathers.’”

Going through hard times, and not putting our trust in the great rulers, and comfort of riches, is for sure humbling. But whether it is for the Israelites who burn incense to other gods, or the faithful scribe Baruch, the end message is the same, follow YHWH’s Torah – His instructions, laws and decrees. And He promises every single time, it won’t be easy, but He will save your life!

It boils down to that narrow road.. not following your heart’s desires for comfort and riches, not following the crowds and their answers to problems. It is a road where you find yourself alone, testing your faith to trust your Father in Heaven, being laughed at and ridiculed by the masses. It most definitely would seem, just like Israel said, the moment we gave up our false worships and luxuries, everything went bad. You might loose your job, your husband or wife, your family turns against you, friends don’t want to be around you anymore. Choosing to stand up for Sabbath and keeping it holy, not eating pork, these are the first things you will find places you apart from all the crowds. It is not easy – but if you can stand your ground, with nothing to show but faith, YHWH sees you and He will have your back!

The Hebrew word for humble is Daka H1792 – dāḵā’, meaning to be broken, contrite heart. The Israelites would admit they worshipped other gods, but they would not admit not following Torah – that wasn’t important to THEM. Being humbled, broken, is the first step back to healing.