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JOE OLSON - Executive Director of Hope for Health Intl. - Retired, Wisconsin Rapids, WI (2025)

11/09/2025

Jeremiah 25:28 “And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at thine hand to drink, then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ye shall certainly drink.”

When Jesus sends Jeremiah with the messages of suffering and being removed if they will not listen and learn the light, there is a distinct possibility that the peoples and kings and kingdoms might not listen. However, for whatever reason that might be, it will not change the outcome.

This is very important for us to understand! All of Jesus’ words of warnings and threats, are not punishments per se, but the typical reaction or result of the rejection of God’s words. Whenever a person chooses sin and selfishness, it creates a specific reality that will generate certain pathways towards death and destruction. It might not be immediate or obvious right then, but it still ultimately finds its way to exactly what Jesus said it would be. This is what He calls the truth!

Disobedience always kills, or dies. Righteousness always lives, and improves. We have to get away from the thought that God’s rules or commandments are just arbitrary laws that He made up. Absolutely not! They are the revelation of the existence of life! To not follow them, means to lose life. This is not punishment, it is parameters.

When you go a certain direction in life, you will end up in a location that the specific direction led you to. If you go west, you end up in a westerly position. If you go east, you will find yourself at a place in the east. These are not “rules” or “threats” or even commandments, they are simple facts! You will always end up where the choices you have made in life led you. Amen?

Nothing, is arbitrary. Everything, has consequences. Jesus simply reveals the truth of this reality to us. And your insistence of not accepting this truth, does not change this reality! No matter what you think, or like, or want, or even believe, if you go in a westerly direction, you will end up being in the west. If you choose to sin, you will go to the burning fires of hell. You can argue, you can deny, you can reject this fact, but you will simply burn. No lie, or deception, or obfuscation, will change this truth.

Again, it is not a threat, it is a result! If you eat too many calories, you will gain weight. Period. You might not like that result, or complain about it, or deny this simple fact, but no one will ever get skinny because of eating too many calories. So when Jesus tells us this “rule” of not eating too many calories, it is not arbitrary! It is light, or truth, or reality, whatever you want to term it.

The ones who get this, will never sin again. They finally recognize that Jesus was simply telling them the truth! Ohh… you mean, don’t eat too much? If I do, I will get fat? This is not a rule, or a punishment, or an arbitrary way to control people, it is a fact!

Jesus was not commanding, He was simply revealing. Don’t kill the messenger, amen? Or the “revealer.” If we refuse to listen to the person, who said to not go west, because you will end up at the west location, will anything change? By rejecting the “light” does anybody end up being in the east then? Of course not!

Our study verse is explaining to us this reality. Whether or not you pay attention, or refuse to take the cup, meaning, not learning from this warning from Jeremiah, the result will still be the same.

If you go west … If you eat too many calories … If you sin … Truth will always be truth. Disobedience will always bring us to death. No matter what Satan says, or you believe, or others tell you—if you disobey, you will die.

Read this reality and make your decisions based on the truth:

Jeremiah 25:28 “And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at thine hand to drink, then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ye shall certainly drink.”

~Joey Olson

11/08/2025

Jeremiah 25:27 “Therefore thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Drink ye, and be drunken, and spue, and fall, and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you.”

After Jeremiah was told where he was to preach and teach the people about the fury of God’s cup that they were supposed to drink, Jesus also tells them their future of drinking this cup. They will act like drunk men, and would get sick and fall, and would never rise up ever again. The sword would be coming and their nations would be annihilated! They would never recover and never exist anymore.

This is what happens to anyone who refuses to listen to our God. Amen? Sin will not exist in God’s kingdom, for much longer. He will extend a lot of mercy and grace and opportunities, so each person and nation on this planet have a choice to make for their own lives.

The longer they listen and learn, the longer they will live! But once they refuse to pay attention, and do not want to follow the light God brings to them, eternal darkness is the final ending. Their existence is revoked. They have chosen their path. And their histories are written down for all to read and learn!

Are there any more Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, philistines, Elamites? Babylonians, Medians, Persians? Each one of those nations and peoples no longer exist. They have all been replaced, with another group or nation or people. Rinse, and repeat.

If you were the next nation, or people and you read this history, what would you be choosing for your own history? Everybody has the opportunity to figure this out, amen? No one needs to die eternally! All they have to do, is to reject sin and self, and choose to obey God and His plans for them. And there are millions, who have chosen to do just that: Revelation 5:9-11 “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;”

All the rest, they just quit existing. Everybody has been given life and the freedom to choose which path they want to walk. Not just the nation, but the individual. Every hour of every day is an opportunity to decide. It is not about money, or comfort or happiness. Everything is about existence!

Without life, everything is pointless. Amen? To reject the Prince of Life, Who gives us His life to keep us existing, is just insanity. To choose to not exist anymore? Are you crazy?

There are no “ites” to ask what they would prefer. They are all gone. Now, we have Americanites, or Russianites, or Chineseites. They have the exact same opportunities, that the other “ites” had. Will they learn? Are you learning? Are your children?

Jesus wants to have all of us live eternally with Him! All we have to do, is to choose to follow Him and His words. Don’t blow this glorious opportunity to live forever!

The future has already been revealed if you refuse:

Jeremiah 25:27 “Therefore thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Drink ye, and be drunken, and spue, and fall, and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you.”

~Joey Olson

11/07/2025

Jeremiah 25:26 “And all the kings of the north, far and near, one with another, and all the kingdoms of the world, which are upon the face of the earth: and the king of Sheshach shall drink after them.”

Jeremiah was a very busy man!

He was sent over all the kingdoms of Judah, then to the Mediterranean Sea and islands and seaports, then west, over the Jordan river, and dealt with those kingdoms by the wilderness and desert.

But then, he was told to go through the highways and byways and the cities surrounding the caravan trails, and warn them too. All the way to the Euphrates river, through Babylon, and further east to the kingdoms of the Medes and Persians, from the north of the mouth of the Euphrates river, down to the south of Azerbaijan!

Jesus gives all the known then kingdoms of the world, the information to save them. No one is left without the knowledge of salvation. Amen?

What a missionary! We would normally think of Jeremiah as a prophet for the Jews only. Absolutely not! Jeremiah was sent to every kingdom that was on the face on the earth! He was the prophet of the Babylonians, as much as the Jews. Amen? The Medes and Persians, the Philistines and Edomites. He was everybody’s prophet! He was like the New Testament Paul, who went everywhere preaching the truth and the light Jesus had given to him.

And now, as Jeremiah is heading back from the southern tip of Azerbaijan, going through Babylon again, Jesus tells Jeremiah to deal with Sheshach. According to Google, “The "king of Sheshach" is a symbolic title for the king of Babylon, identified as such through a biblical cipher called Atbash, where "Sheshach" is a coded name for "Babylon". The historical figure most likely referenced is Nebuchadnezzar II, the monarch who conquered Jerusalem and led the Israelites into exile.”

Now, we have come full circle. From the Jews, to the “Azerbaijanis,” and back through the Babylonians, who are getting ready to conquer the Jews. The king of Babylon will indeed “drink” after them. Drink what? We have been so busy focusing on the “who” and forgetting the “why.” Jeremiah 25:14,15 “For many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of them also: and I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the works of their own hands. For thus saith the LORD God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it.”

Jeremiah chapter 25, was the gospel, or the news of salvation, to the entire world! You know: obey and live, disobey and die. No matter which nation, or people, or language or location, it has all been the exact same message. From Adam and Eve, to the last soul on this planet before Jesus comes, the message is the same. Obey the words of God and you will live forever! If you don’t, you will drink the cup.

Sin, must stop. We do it, or Jesus will. With all the lies and deceptions and fables and promises from pastors and teachers in this world, we must remember this chapter of Jeremiah 25.

Jesus will “recompense” the deeds of every single person on this planet. This is a world-wide message! Sins must be paid! Either by Jesus, or by each individual. And sins can only be paid by Jesus if we repent and come back to Him and obey His words now! You know, full circle again.

God has sent His prophet to the entire world if they would listen to him. What are the odds that God will send another prophet, right before the end times? That “her” messages from Jesus, will be printed and repeated, all over the world again? We started this verse saying that Jeremiah was a busy man. Now we know that Ellen White was just as busy!

Everybody has to be warned, not just the Jews or Seventh-day Adventists, but all the world’s kings and kingdoms:

Jeremiah 25:26 “And all the kings of the north, far and near, one with another, and all the kingdoms of the world, which are upon the face of the earth: and the king of Sheshach shall drink after them.”

~Joey Olson

11/06/2025

Jeremiah 25:24 “And all the kings of Arabia, and all the kings of the mingled people that dwell in the desert,”

After Jesus addressing the cities in the northwest of Arabia, now He sends Jeremiah to the entire area in the east of Arabia. See the succession?

Since we have learned that these cities were on the trade routes throughout the middle east, and that they were to be warned and prepared, it seems logical that Jesus would not stop until all the populated world would be also made aware of what would be happening soon!

We are dealing with Babylon, and Medo-Persia, but they were not yet on the world’s stage in Jeremiah’s day. Yet, Jesus knew that they would end up being world leaders later, and they too needed to be informed as to how they could continue to survive and flourish.

As we read these locations or cities or nations, Jesus is revealing to us that He knows ahead of time, who will be involved with His people, and how they will be interacting with soon.

The Jews had no idea who would be coming up next, until Daniels’ interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream! But in reality, Jesus was already telling them who was next in line. Amen?

We should recognize this light that Jesus is revealing to us too, and be aware how things will play out in history. Jesus uses His prophets, to reveal to us exactly how future events will come about, so we can be prepared and even warn others! We have the luxury now, knowing the events that actually came to pass, to understand that Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen. And with this information, we should listen to God’s prophet for the end times, today. Amen? If Jesus was spot on in Jeremiah’s time, what are the odds that what He told Ellen White will be perfect as well? Armed with this information, should we study and accept and believe and even get prepared, for what is soon coming?

Did Babylon come and destroy Judah and Jerusalem, and take most of them captive to their country? Literally, to the letter! Did Medo-Persia come, and take out Babylon, and even told them how they would do it? Exactly. Then Greece, Rome, and divided nations after that?

Then we don’t need to listen to the newscasters today, we already know who is going to do what, and why! Jesus is preparing us, teaching us, encouraging us, and strengthening us, to withstand these terrible events in our day. Not so we would know, but we would understand Who is in control! Hallelujah!

We serve a wise and aware and powerful God, and all we need to do, is to draw closer to Him. The more we read, the more we study, the more aware we will be, and more confidence we will have in our God! Observe, warn others, prepare, and tell them why we know these things! We have been reading and accepting God’s prophets, and the words Jesus gave to them! Take advantage of all Jesus is doing, to make us ready to come home! For the ones who won’t, they will not be prepared. But for us, we are not surprised, but encouraged, because we knew it all ahead of time!

Jesus always wants His people ready for what is coming. He told Adam and Eve who was coming, and how to prepare. He told Noah and the antediluvians what was coming, and how to prepare. Same with Jeremiah and the Jews, and the same for each one of us! The ones who listened and obeyed, were ready and made it through!

Look at all the places and people Jesus set Jeremiah to. This proves to us that Jesus does not want anyone to suffer. Amen? All the pains and efforts, to try to save not just the Jews, but anyone who would pay attention to Him:

Jeremiah 25:24 “And all the kings of Arabia, and all the kings of the mingled people that dwell in the desert,”

~Joey Olson

11/06/2025

Jeremiah 25:25 “And all the kings of Zimri, and all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of the Medes,”

Jesus told Jeremiah to go all over Arabia and to go directly to the leadership of two more kingdoms or regions.

The kings of Zimri were on the upper portion of the Euphrates river. The Bible Hub Commentary says this: “Zimri.—The name occurs nowhere else in the Bible or out of it as the name of a country. It is possibly connected with Zimran, the eldest son of Abraham by Keturah (Genesis 25:2), and points, therefore—as does its position here—to a nomad tribe in Arabia lying between the Red Sea, Arabia, and the Persian Gulf. The name Zabram occurs in Greek geographers as that of a city on the Red Sea west of Mecca, and there was a Zimara on the Upper Euphrates. “Elam,” properly applied to the region of which Susa was the capital (Daniel 8:2), was extended by the Hebrew writers to the whole of Persia. (See Notes on Genesis 10:22; Genesis 14:1-12; Isaiah 21:2.) As in the last of these references, it is coupled here with Media”

And the kings of Elam. Google says that the kings of Elam were located in south-western Iran: “The kings of Elam were the rulers of Elam, an ancient civilization and kingdom in south-western Iran. The earliest known Elamite dynasty was the Awan dynasty.”

So Jeremiah did a lot of walking! Or riding a camel probably. From the northern Euphrates river area, all the way down to south-western Iran.

And then, to the kings of the Medes! Google tells us that those kings ruled in western Iran and southern Azerbaijan! "The kings of the Medes ruled over an ancient kingdom that was centered in the Zagros Mountains, encompassing what is now western Iran and southern Azerbaijan. The Median Empire was overthrown by Cyrus the Great in 550 BCE, and its territories were absorbed into the Achaemenid (First Persian) Empire.”

Suffice it to say that Jesus wanted everybody to hear the truth. Amen? Jeremiah had no idea that the Medes and Persians would be the next kingdom after the Babylonians. But God did, and He wanted them to know and follow Him, if they would listen!

God used the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar to punish His people for them not following His will. When the Jews finally learned to obey, Jesus used kings Cyrus and Darius, the leaders of the Persians and Medes, to bring His people back to the promised land again. All of this was orchestrated perfectly by a God Who knew how things would play out!

We are to read and learn, and appreciate God’s fore-knowledge and plans, so we can confidently know that He is in control. Especially today, with all the craziness and wars and tumults all over the place. It can appear like there is no plan or no control. Nothing is further from the truth! People are worried and, or in fear, because they are not reading their Bibles!

Even worse, Adventists are voting and trying to control the outcome, when God plainly tells us that HE sets up kings, and kingdoms. Amen? We are to read these verses in Jeremiah and see how God uses His people and His prophets to convict and teach and prepare others for His plan with this world.

If the people, or the leaders, will listen to Him, they will be blessed. If not, they will be discarded and removed, and another set of people or leaders will be used instead. Based on this information Jesus is giving to us, what should we do in our own lives? Should we ignore and deny this truth, and let someone else take our places? Or would we prefer to be blessed and used by God to accomplish His will for this world?

We could ask Nebuchadnezzar, or Cyrus, or Darius! But since they are dead, maybe we should read the words God has given to us to make much better decisions in our lives? It is not accidental that Jesus sent Jeremiah to these kings and kingdoms!

Look at God’s plan and will, and rejoice that He is in control:

Jeremiah 25:25 “And all the kings of Zimri, and all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of the Medes,”

~Joey Olson

11/04/2025

Jeremiah 25:23 “Dedan, and Tema, and Buz, and all that are in the utmost corners,”

After the seaports and islands, Jeremiah was to preach to the inhabitants of these cities. This is what Google says about Dedan: “Dedan appears in the Bible as the name of a person and a people, originating from two different ancestors: a son of Raamah (descendant of Cush) and a son of Jokshan (descendant of Abraham via Keturah).The descendants of Dedan, known as the Dedanites, were an Arabian people who lived on trade routes and were known for their commerce.”

Now we look to Tema:

“In the Bible, "Tema" most commonly refers to a son of Ishmael and the region he and his descendants inhabited in northwestern Arabia, which was a significant hub for transdesert trade. The term is associated with themes of hospitality to travelers, the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham, and the interconnectedness of nations. References to Tema are found in the books of Genesis, Chronicles, Job, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. A son of Ishmael: Genesis 25:15 and 1 Chronicles 1:30 name Tema as one of the twelve sons of Ishmael, the son of Abraham. A people and a region: The name also refers to a tribe descended from him and the territory they inhabited. This region is likely the modern oasis of Tayma, located on ancient caravan routes. A center of trade: The Bible highlights Tema's strategic importance as a caravan stop. Job 6:19 mentions "the caravans of Tema," and Isaiah 21:14 portrays its inhabitants providing water and bread to thirsty travelers and refugees. A prophetic subject: In the prophetic books, Tema is mentioned in relation to judgment and the fate of various peoples, possibly due to invasions by groups like the Babylonians. Themes: The references to Tema underscore themes of hospitality and refuge, God's care for all nations, the fulfillment of His promises to Abraham's descendants through both Isaac and Ishmael, and the interconnectedness of ancient Near Eastern cultures.”

And finally, the city of Buz:

“Buz appears in the Bible as the second son of Nahor (Genesis 22:21) and also as a tribal or geographical name associated with an Arabian people and a family in the tribe of Gad (Jeremiah 25:23 and 1 Chronicles 5:14). He is most famously linked to Elihu, one of Job's friends, who was a "Buzite" or descendant of Buz.”

These three cities were on the “utmost” corners of the region populated by the Jews. And they were either connected by families or business. Jesus tells Jeremiah to go to them, so they can communicate to anyone coming through their cities, what would be happening and why.

Northern and northwestern Arabia, was the location of these cities. So this would absolutely be the “utmost corners” of the normal Jewish territory that the Jews would interact with. Far enough to not be dealing with the Jews and their God’s rules and regulations, but close enough, to know what has been going on.

These cities were on the “highway” so-to-speak, with all the caravans and trade route companies with their commerce and goods to buy and sell. In other words, these cities were the newspapers and TV news shows, back in that day. Everybody who went past would hear the latest information and news for the region.

And Jesus did not want the people in those cities to simply hear gossip second hand! He wanted them to know the unvarnished truth from Him, so He sent Jeremiah to them. And what message was Jeremiah told to convey to them? The exact same message, that was given to the Jews, the Egyptians, the Philistines, etc.

Are we getting the message? Obey and live, disobey and die. Jesus wants everybody to get the memo! Wait-a-minute! What about love? Grace? Mercy?

The mere fact that Jesus sends His prophet to these people, with this message, IS love, grace and mercy! Amen? This message, is not just for God’s people. Amen? We are literally reading, the love and grace and mercy that Jesus is offering!

These cities were “advertising” the message Jesus had for everyone, back in that day. When we read the names of these cities, we should recognize that they were radio stations, TV stations, internet connections, to help communicate God’s truth.

Jesus wants to talk to anyone who will listen. He is showing His people what they should be doing:

Jeremiah 25:23 “Dedan, and Tema, and Buz, and all that are in the utmost corners,”

~Joey Olson

11/03/2025

Jeremiah 25:22 “And all the kings of Tyrus, and all the kings of Zidon, and the kings of the isles which are beyond the sea,”

Now Jesus addresses the seaports and islands that are next to the Mediterranean sea. They were never direct enemies of the Jews, but were major places of commerce and traffic with huge populations and excellent communication networks. They were to be warned so that information would be extended around the world! No one would be left out, and all would hear what is happening to these countries and kings, and why.

These locations were not as sinful and evil per se, but were still focusing on self and the world. They didn’t care about the Jewish domination, or removal, but they were totally focused on money and business. Yet Jesus knew they needed to be warned, so they too could choose wisely.

Another piece of truth Jesus is presenting to us. Whether or not someone is less evil in the extreme, like a murder or ra**st, they still will be lost! Satan doesn’t care if you don’t kill or steal, as long as you deny Jesus and His words! A lot of people think that as long as they are “good people” they will not suffer in hell. Hell is reserved for really bad people. These people are kind and even generous, don’t swear or drink or smoke. But they are still focused on self! And selfishness, always leads to sin! Amen?

Jesus wants them to avoid self and sin, so they can be saved too! Satan wants all of us to compare ourselves with each other. And if we find someone worse than us, we are satisfied that we are not like them, and feel we are better. And that gets translated in our minds that we are okay: Luke 18:10,11 “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.”

We actually thank God that we are better than others! But, we are all lost until we come to Jesus! If we have money and health and power, but do not sin egregiously, we think we will be fine in this life. Not according to what we are reading! If we were fine, why is Jesus sending Jeremiah to these wonderful and rich cities? They were not mean, or harmful or hurting others. They were not domineering, or enslaving the downtrodden. They were regular normal people, who just seemed to be preoccupied with self! Jesus wasn’t worried about them, amen?

Yet, here comes Jeremiah. And what message was Jeremiah to preach to them? The same message that the really bad people got! What? You mean we are all going to burn? Unless we get rid of self, and come back to God? This is almost a shock to a lot of people. Because they have been comparing themselves to themselves. But we are supposed to be, like Jesus! If we are not, we are lost.

In the parable of the Pharisee and the publican, the publican had a better chance of being saved! Why? Because he knew he was a sinner! But these people who look around at others, and compare themselves with profligate sinners, they do not see themselves like them! And as a result, they do not feel the need of coming to Jesus.

Jesus loves them too, even if they do not want Him or need Him. So He tells Jeremiah, go and speak to them too:

Jeremiah 25:22 “And all the kings of Tyrus, and all the kings of Zidon, and the kings of the isles which are beyond the sea,”

~Joey Olson

11/02/2025

Jeremiah 25:21 “Edom, and Moab, and the children of Ammon,”

Jesus continues down the list of countries and nations that surround Judah, where Jeremiah is being sent. After the west, and south, now the east.

The eastern nations were more hostile and less supportive or interested in the Jews. Interestingly, they were actually more related to the Jews, than the Egyptians or Philistines! Another teaching point here.

There are those connected to us, who are more stubborn or more rebellious to us, than those who have had no relations with us at all. Edom, was the brother of Jacob. Moab and Ammon were the sons of Lot, the nephew of Abraham. All of them were the “bloodline” of the faithful Abraham!

In today’s world, there are people who are seventh-day Adventists, or even Christians, who are more hostile to us, and won’t listen to us, more than those who never proclaimed to be followers of God! Yet, Jesus has not forgotten them. He is reaching out to them as well. Just because these people are not publicly proclaiming to be followers of God, does not mean that there aren’t those who will listen! Jesus knows their hearts, and He sends His messages to them just like He sends to His own people.

We are supposed to read these verses and act like Jesus. Amen? Don’t forget those, who do not show interest in the truth! Even if they are so far away from the ways we live and believe. We don’t know their hearts and minds and thoughts.

But Jesus knows, and He sends them the exact same messages of warning and support. Whenever there are ears to hear, try to talk to them! Show them your interest in them. Let them see that you still care about them. Take the effort and sow beside all waters. It is not up to you, to decide who will obey and who will come to God and be saved.

You never know what will work in their hearts, or what they are going through. But they can see you, and what you are dealing with. We are witnesses, whether God is blessing, or withdrawing His blessings. They see, they hear, they are making decisions in their own hearts and minds as a result.

And Jesus uses those experiences, and the Holy Spirit inspires, convicts or impresses, to help them make better choices in their own lives! When you have love in your heart, you do not limit or constrict that flow of love. It goes out to anyone who is around us. Amen? Even to the ones, who don’t care for us! Their actions, do not stop us from loving them.

The mere fact that Jesus sends His prophet, to the people who don’t want to hear His words, speaks volumes to them and to us!

This should melt hearts and cause the desire to listen and learn. Maybe some will but most won’t. But there are a few who will come and be saved! Even from the ones who are our most vicious enemies:

Jeremiah 25:21 “Edom, and Moab, and the children of Ammon,”

~Joey Olson

11/01/2025

Jeremiah 25:20 “And all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Azzah, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod,”

Jeremiah is to preach and teach the truth, that Jesus’ cup of fury will be pouring out on them, first on the Jews, and then on the Egyptians. Now the third group, were the scattered people that mingled with, or near the Israelites. These include the Philistine cities on the western border of Judah.

Azzah, was further southwest of Judah, and the land of Uz, was southeast of Jerusalem, where the land of Edom used to be. In other words, the peoples and places that were most closely connected to the Jews. They would have known all the words and actions of God’s prophets!

They were in the “know” and would have been aware of all the warnings and threats and even promises, from the God of the Jews.

Even though those peoples were typical enemies of the Jews, they had kind of assimilated the customs and rules of them, kind of “go along to get along” type of thing.

We can see how Jesus prioritizes who gets to hear what, and when. First, His people specifically. Then, the ones who would pay attention and obey occasionally. And now, the ones who are becoming more like the Jews, just to not argue and fight. The more willing you are to listen and obey, the more opportunities you get!

This is another truth, or understanding about how God operates. You don’t even have to love God, just obey His will! Every time you keep His word, you are better off. Obedience to God is not about control, it is about intelligence! Jesus’ rules are not arbitrary, they are existential. Meaning, they are the actual ways, to continue to exist!

Sin kills! Period. Selfishness will destroy life too. These things have to cease in order for life to continue. Whenever a person or a king or a nation does the right things, regardless of their reasons, they will continue to exist.

To use the health rules as an example, a person can eat correctly, just because they want to live longer and healthier. Not because they are obedient, or loyal to God. They just decided to make better choices!

And God’s rules or regulations are to help us live healthier and happier. You can be an evil, selfish person, and still be healthier, if you follow God’s rules of eating! The people of the Philistines, and Uz, and Azzah, just went along. As a result, God would give them the same message, that He gave to the Jews and the Egyptians! Pay attention to this light!

Obedience means life. Disobedience means death. Whether or not you like it, or understand it, just DO it! Trust and obey is better, but as long as you obey, you will live!

Do we think Jesus cares if we are not Seventh-day Adventists, or Christians, or Jews? Does the “name” matter to Him? Of course not! Was the message to the Philistines or Uz, or Azzah, different from the Jews, or the Egyptians? Nope.

Here is a perfect understanding, about whether or not you are disfellowshipped from the church, or off the church books. Jesus could not care less if you are a Jew, or Egyptian, or Philistine. What matters to Him, if you are listening to Him, and obeying His words!

Frankly, this is what matters to us! Amen? Will a Jew not get lung cancer, is he smokes? His “Jewishness” will not save him from cancer! Only by avoiding smoking, will he help his health.

Are we getting this concept? Being a Seventh-day Adventist will not save us. Only obeying the words of Jesus, will take us home to heaven.

I bet you had no idea what these verses in Jeremiah meant. Me either! But as long as we read and study and obey these words, we will live!

Jeremiah 25:20 “And all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Azzah, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod,”

~Joey Olson

JOE OLSON - Executive Director of Hope for Health Intl. - Retired

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