Sharper Iron — A Time to Destroy and a Time to Build: Promises for Survivors

Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing, professor of theology and ministry at Concordia University in St. Paul, MN and author of the forthcoming book, Overcoming Life’s Sorrows: The Book of Jeremiah, from Concordia Publishing House, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 1:1-3.

Jeremiah preaches to the people of Judah and Jerusalem during their waning years leading up to the horrific Babylonian conquest in 587 BC. During his forty-year ministry spanning five kings, Jeremiah’s preaching exposes the faithless idolatry of the people of God and calls them to repent, warning them that destruction is coming. Yet Jeremiah does not speak from the outside; he lived through the evil days of conquest and exile. Jeremiah knew the heartache and horror of that evil time, yet he also knew the hope of the never-failing promises of the LORD. Those promises made Jeremiah a survivor through all his troubles, as he took to heart the hope that he preached. That hope is found in the righteous Branch from the line of David, Jesus Christ.

“A Time to Destroy and a Time to Build” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Jeremiah. The prophet calls the people of Judah and Jerusalem to repent of their faithless idolatry and warns them of the destruction that is coming in the Babylonian exile. Yet Jeremiah does not leave us without hope in the midst of such dark days. Jeremiah and all who believe the Word of God he preached survive because of hope that is found in the righteous Branch from the line of David, Jesus Christ.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Jeremiah 1:1-3

1 The words of Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah, one of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, ²to whom the word of the Lord came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. ³It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, and until the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah, the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the captivity of Jerusalem in the fifth month.

English Standard Version (ESV)

Rev. Timothy Appel

Although a mathematics degree may not be incredibly helpful to (proudly born-and-raised Texan) Rev. Timothy Appel while hosting Sharper Iron, his love of CFW Walther and the season of Easter will come in handy. His Call is shepherding the flock at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, Illinois, and he’s also husband to wife Kristin and dad to their growing basketball team of children. When he’s not carrying out pastoral duties, you may find him reading “The Lord of the Rings,” snacking on Reese’s peanut butter cups, playing dominoes with his boys, or studying up on Texas history (including Sam Houston, of course).