» In the Produce Department In the Produce Department
"The people will no longer quote this proverb: 'The parents have eaten sour grapes, but their children's mouths pucker at the taste.'" Jeremiah 31:29 At least once a week, I find myself in the produce department of the grocery store trying to pick out some tasty, delicious fruit. But sometimes I end up picking a "bowl of sour grapes." When I take that first bite, my mouth puckers. My mouth is hurting just thinking about it. In Jeremiah 31, Jeremiah is warning the Israelites about their future captivity to Babylon. The Israelites would be in captivity for 70 years, and it would feel like they were eating from a bowl of sour grapes. Many times, I find myself walking in the Israelites' sandals. Situations happen in my life or in the life of my friends and family, and it truly feels like we are eating from the bowl of sour grapes. I find myself wishing I was back at the produce department picking out sweet, delicious grapes. It is easy to get discouraged when we are dealing with the bowl of sour grapes. During the same time that Jeremiah warned the Israelites about their future captivity, he also gave them hope for restoration. We have the same hope through Christ. The next time you end up with a bowl of sour grapes from the produce department, remember a time is coming when the grapes will be deliciously sweet! "The time will come," says the LORD, "when the grain and grapes will grow faster than they can be harvested. Then the terraced vineyards on the hills of Israel will drip with sweet wine!" Amos 9:13
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