Jeremiah 7:28-8:3
Talk about national this and that, speak of this nation and that. Envision distinct plot of land with borders and seat of government. Like much we encounter every day a nation is man’s creation. It remains that way until something happens to change the character of it brought about by, yes, man. Whatever a nation accomplishes brought about by man and character of nation determined by character of its citizens. A nation without citizens, people, can do nothing more than occupy space and time.
Bear in mind, while a nation can be considered a body of people with a number of things in common, the nation is a body of individuals and not clones. Is why God distinguishes here between nation and people. While both in serious trouble, majority of Israelites no longer faithful to YHWH, God knew was not so for everyone. Even at its worst, were still a remnant of true believers in Israel. And, btw, true of every nation on earth today – might be hard to find but God has his people in all parts of our world.
God had drawn line, one beyond which no turning back for majority. God knew once character of nation matching that of people crossed the line, nothing short of complete overthrow and captivity in foreign land for 70 years would cause substantive change. Was why he told Jeremiah not to pray for their deliverance – to deliver from future captivity in Babylon would only deliver them to greater captivity in sin.
God didn’t hide what he intended to do, also didn’t hide reasons he had for judging his people. Is all here in B&W for following generations and nations to read and understand and be warned. God may not if ever treat our nation as he did Israel, yet he would be totally justified if he does. Meanwhile must learn all we can from their example – will help us better understand God, neighbors, ourselves.
A. a disobedient nation v.28-29
do not obey
had been told to listen… and they didn’t – Deut. 6:1,3 “this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments… hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it”
was absence of interest not information at root of failure to obey – had heard what God said… repeatedly, did not take it in
do not change
know they didn’t b/c nothing changed either inward or outward – didn’t want to hear God at Sinai, wanted less later in history
until consciences were seared they knew would be good to obey God – was strict but not harsh, treated well when they obeyed
do not endorse truth
several months ago considered “A Post-Truth World” – at least for Israel, not first time has come about in their history
what an awful thing to be told: truth has perished, even in your speech – like boat that lost its mooring and destroyed itself on rocks in Cape Elizabeth… little left even worth salvaging
they did have option although refused to exercise it: return to truth of God’s word, repent of sin and turn back to true God
are rejected
baldness, buzz cuts, shaved heads sign of shame/reproach – think Nehemiah’s response to evil practices in Jerusalem years later
truly worth mourning over that people that had enjoyed such great favor with God strayed so far as to be rejected, abandoned
not situation where no hope for any individual who sincerely turned to God – door never shut/locked so sinner can’t be saved
B. an evildoing people v.30-31
publicly evil
God declared what people of Judah failed to do (sins of omission), moves on to what they did (sins of commission)
if were doing this openly in rebellion against God, know what was out of sight only more evil and harmful toward others
polluted from the top
wasn’t rank-and-file worshipers but religious leaders defiling place of worship, establishing more and worse places
and… was sanctioned by government leaders as well – had been king who led revival, other kings who led return to idols
same true today in our nation and others, leaders in church and state both setting standard for refusing to obey God
to the bottom
high places and valley and Temple all where idols were worshiped – sacrificing children seen as act of worship required by their god
same with abortion: worship god of self, god of nature/Gaia, sacrificing children for good of self or the planet
understanding that would probably change the narrative when talking about issues of both life and death regardless of age
and all in between
no person lacks ability to find or make ways to worship idols – some even quite attractive… e.g. shrines to accident victims
ways sinful man contrives to worship ones God wouldn’t even think of – lets us know just how far from him people really are
C. a full graveyard v.32-8:3
it will get worse
may be illusion but sure seems like places and ways and means of conflict on the increase in our world today
children killing each other, people of all ages killing themselves with various means, some for twisted reasons, others for no apparent reason than opportunity
will become radical form of “every man for himself” with no thought at all for consequences even for others incl. loved ones
there will be no relief
will follow reasoning that “desperate times require desperate measures” – sacrificing not only children, one another but what had always been considered sacred
will continue w/o any letup until complete desolation – nothing left of value in land, nothing growing and no one to tend
if this a result of climate change, be certain came about by hand of God – may have used human instruments… for his purpose
it’s a spiritual problem
everything the people would have identified as problem really symptom of much more serious deeper issue – wrong worship
God not only designed and made all that is, he designed and made all the rules that govern its proper and orderly operation
when man departs from God’s order, things eventually fall apart – only hope for restoring is by return to following God’s way
a choice of death rather than life
people of Judah eventually discover promises made by idols not only empty, awful consequences they didn’t promise would come true
no one who worships an idol ever dies happy b/c they cannot live happy – when living gets too painful, wish for escape
refuse to turn to one who promises abundant life, instead persist in following self-destructive way and encouraging others to join them in their folly
Grieves us to know how far from God our nation is – national character representative of individual character of majority… who are far from God. By no means limited to our nation, is true of all in our world. We pray for our leaders to do what is just and right, and we should. Need to pray just as much for those choosing our leaders. And pray that if we get to same point Judah was that God will give us wisdom and strength to stay true to him and not be discouraged.
Reformanda 