Jeremiah 4
This is NOT a happy chapter!
Most people know the chronic pattern we find throughout the Old Testament prophets. In short: the people are fickle and prone to sin and rejecting God. God imposes fearful threats in hopes of getting them to repent and return to His ways. Often, they do repent – sometimes in response to God’s threats, other times after experiencing the wrath of God. But their repentance never seems to last long. Often it is contingent on the faithfulness of the reigning king and his regard for God!
This chapter doesn’t veer from this pattern.
In verses 1-2, God makes a strong appeal for the people to come back to Him: “put away your detested things [idols] from My presence, [NASB] and do not wander away from me anymore [TM].
Then, in verses 3-18, God initiates action against Israel by inciting a northern nation to come against her with incredible destructive power! But in this threat is still God’s appeal in picturesque language: “Plow your unplowed fields, but then don’t plant weeds in the soil! Yes, circumcise your lives for God’s sake, plow your unplowed hearts…Prevent the fire – the fire of my anger – for once it starts it can’t be put out. Your wicked ways are fuel for the fire” [vs.3-4 TM].
Let’s be clear! God wants repentance, obedience, and changed lives!
But the belligerence of the people assures them of impending violence! God – through Jeremiah – warns them to sound the alarm, weep and wail. Their leaders have failed them! The warring hordes have already begun to sweep into the land of Israel! News comes from the north: “Invaders from far off are raising war cries against Judah’s towns. They’re all over her like a dog on a bone. And why? Because she rebelled against me.” GOD’S Decree” [vs.15-17 TM].
Jeremiah then seems to speak the pain of the people! He speaks of his hopelessness! He speaks of;
o PRE-Genesis chaos [v.23 TM] - widespread destruction?
o Not a star to be seen [v.23 TM] - because of the smoke?
o Mountains trembling [v.24 TM]
o No people or birds in sight [v.25 TM] – everyone is dead or has fled!
o All gardens destroyed [raided by the enemy?] [v.26 TM]
o All the towns are ghost towns [v.27 TM] – complete devastation!
Jeremiah describes the terrifying fear of the people who remain! “They hide in ditches, they climb into caves” [v.29 TM].
The chapter ends with a pathetic scene: Jeremiah hears a woman crying out in childbirth [v.31]. She knows she will die – as will her baby!
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What are we – in the 21st century – supposed to take from this?
We live in a time of great division! In the last several years, our confidence in firmly established and long respected governmental structures has been significantly undermined! Our two greatest enemies ally against us! Many doubt the strength and cohesion of our military. We've distributed much of our weaponry and ammunition to a distant war that we are - supposedly - not involved in, Our long, imperial financial leadership shows signs of crumbling. The sacred security of our election process has been fractured! Lying has become the standard operating procedure of our leaders! It seems that many from our younger generations know little or nothing of these realities and don’t seem to care. It’s like they live in a trance!
Christianity is mocked. Churches are in decline! The growth we do see is often simply reshuffling the kingdom of God. The Church is divided by denominationalism and bitterness.
Wow, you’re wondering…did Hal take a negative pill this morning?
No. I’ve read a sobering passage from the Bible and have tried to present it faithfully and honestly. The above description of our culture may be inaccurately described – you be the judge of that. But I think I hear God issuing His final warnings! We dare not be distracted. Why waste time assigning blame?
God’s desire hasn’t changed. In verses 1-2, God makes a strong appeal for the people to come back to Him: “put away your detested things [idols] from My presence, [NASB] and do not wander away from me anymore [TM].
It’s likely that is still His desire for America today! Will we respond?
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