Jeremiah 8:4-17
Whether attitude actually becoming more widespread or not, is more than enough to go around: people today convinced they can correctly identify what is wrong in their life and what is best way to fix it. Of course must be kind of fix that requires no extra work, produces nearly instant results, promises exactly what is wanted. For example, unhappy with current size, best way to fix… once-a-week injection (Ozempic/Wegovy), nothing else need change. Lose as much as 1/4 total body weight in year or less, look great, feel better. Demand so high it fueled worldwide shortage of drug first approved for diabetes treatment. Mixed results, serious complications, long-term effects still unknown.
Happens across social spectrum, can supply many other things people pin hopes on yet they fail to produce. Often negatives of outcome far outweigh anticipated benefits, has been happening since early days of mankind’s existence. Was big deal for Israel and Judah, still big deal now – image Judy Bowen sent of idol beside road, idols existing here with shinier packaging, millions are seduced by the lies, refuse to listen to message of genuine hope.
Jeremiah’s experience helps us better understand people we know and love, increases grasp of God’s greatness, encourages us to persevere in life and witness.
A. What is the matter with you? v.4-7
bad behavior
God looks at those who owe him so much and give him so little, ‘wonders’ what is wrong, not acting right, not even doing things that come automatically (fall down / get up)
repeatedly returning to sinful ways even if do some right… for a while – little hope for substantive/lasting change
unable to let go of deception, won’t realize apart from God nothing lives up to promise but desperately want it to be true
more disturbing: not only deceived by sin and Satan, actively deceive themselves what they do is right/best and encourage others to do same
refusal to repent
matters not who tries to encourage repentance, remain hardened in mold have cast for themselves, will not turn back
whether they recognize what they do is wrong, they claim it is right / justified in some way and have no regrets about sinfulness
act no better than warhorse, blinders on and head down rushing forward with no other thought than moving forward
get bit between teeth and will not respond to rider – only hope for change in direction is for all in front to change
even the birds know better
b/c of what God has imprinted of his laws on birds, know when time to migrate and where to go without further instruction
not travel for sake of frequent flier rewards, is matter of survival – yet people reject what they know of right/wrong necessary for their survival
may try to plead ignorance but God isn’t buying it – have both internal and external signs plus what they encounter of God’s truth in example/witness of Christians
B. How wise are you really? v.8-13
wrong preaching
earlier in their history had been blessed with faithful preaching/teaching plus godly example of many in positions of leadership
“How can you say, “We are wise! We have the law of the LORD”? The truth is, those who teach it have used their writings to make it say what it does not really mean.” NET
no surprise: underlying cause of wrong preaching is wrong authority – have set themselves above God’s word, e.g. RCC, UMC
what are they left with? human wisdom that is finite, fallible, often downright foolish and failing to interpret reality correctly
wrong hope
convinced what they could see had greater value than what could not be seen – earthly treasure worth pursuing
God’s response: will demonstrate to them how false that hope is by taking all they value away and giving to others
those who should be most devoted to truth and integrity dealing falsely – leaders and expert authorities untrustworthy
promoting personal agenda rather than truth has taken first place… at expense of those they should be leading/serving
wrong attitude
living on surface, addressing symptoms and not causes, satisfied to make assertions w/o evidence or basis – it’ll be ok
when caught doing evil, are not ashamed – brush it off/minimize it, rationalize into something good, get defensive and attack
no distinction here, hard consequences for all who do evil regardless of status/position – God’s judgment will come on all
judgment will fall on nation, not just individuals – will be great personal disaster as well as economy unable to function – widespread hunger, agricultural economy in shambles
NOTE: may appear to be causes for this disaster found in changed weather patterns, political alliances, other human reasons but… all of that has ultimate source in God and his divine purpose
C. Do you have selective hearing? v.14-17
a hint of objective reason
seems maybe people are getting the point – maybe they really do need to prepare for hard times, not discount as some kind of rumor
give lip service to God’s involvement in what is taking place – may come at hand of neighbors but ultimately from God
do give credit to idea of consequences for sin against God but… in what tone of voice? resentment b/c God is unjust?
only goes so far, really expresses little if any hope – know what God requires for restoration and refuse to give it to him
awareness of what can be seen
acknowledge they looked for (expected) peace and health but didn’t get it – do not say where the looked for it
do express some understanding of obvious signs of danger, perhaps thinking is really no way to escape what is coming
either cannot or will not connect more of right dots to address underlying and most important spiritual cause of hardship
confirmation from the Lord
yes, indeed, God will do exactly that… he will send disaster on rebellious people – cannot be prevented or moderated
concept of God orchestrating affairs of men and nations absent from many treatments of ancient/world history but is essential for comprehensive understanding
don’t forget God’s bigger purposes:
consequences for persistent rebellion in face of repeated reminders of truth
example to other peoples / nations for their learning and profit – avoid their own hardship
like flood, judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, other ‘large’ disasters picture in miniature of final Great Day of judgment
and, of course, lessons for those who remained faithful throughout hardship incl. further developing their faith in God
That’s really most important: putting our hope in God and nothing less. Sinful rebellion of friends and family grieves us; hardships they experience w/o God’s help difficult for us to watch. Yet… there but for God’s grace are we – is b/c God has given us life and faith and hope that we have a wonderful future to anticipate and strong Helper now.
Our part: “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb. 12:1-2