Jeremiah shared some of his first prophecies with the people of Judah. They were sharp slaps in the face. “My people have betrayed Me,” says the Lord, “like a faithless wife who leaves her husband. They are prostitutes who are unashamed of their sins; they have many lovers, many idols. How can I pardon them? Even their children have turned against Me. They swear by gods that are no gods at all! I fed My people until they were satisfied and they thanked Me by committing adultery and lining up at the city’s brothels. Should I not punish them for this?” (5:7-9).
The Lord was angry with the people of Judah and He was going to
deliver them to their enemies. “Sound the alarm throughout the land. Run for your lives!
Flee to the fortified cities. Send a signal toward Jerusalem. Flee now! Don’t delay!
For I am bringing terrible destruction upon you from the north. A lion stalks
from its den, a destroyer of nations; and it is headed for your land!” (4:5-7).
The destroyer of nations was Babylon, a mighty people who were
consuming the ancient world one nation at a time. Jeremiah could not bear the
thought of watching the annihilation of his people. “My heart, my heart,” he
cried, “I writhe in pain! My heart pounds within me! I cannot be still... How
long must this go on! How long must I be surrounded by war and death?” (4:19-21). It is not the
last time Jeremiah will mourn His people. He will write a book pouring out His
grief; it is called Lamentations. For this reason, Jeremiah is known as the “Weeping Prophet.”
Imagine being alive when America falls. Imagine watching the people of
this country destroyed by an invading nation. The elimination of all that once
was, the eradication of the land of liberty, would be a painful event to
endure. What was Jeremiah
supposed to do but be faithful to cry out to those around him the messages God
had given him; but, no matter how much he wailed, no matter the passion behind
his pronouncements, his country was too far gone. The people’s
hearts were hard and their ears were deaf to the voice of God.
Daily Reflection
In what ways are the people of America a lot like the people of Judah? “My people,” God
says, “are foolish and do not know Me. They have senseless children who have no
understanding. They are clever enough in doing wrong, but they have no talent
at all for doing right” (4:22).
How does this relate to our country today?
What do you think God could or should do to wake Americans from their
slumber, to turn them back from their rebellion? Do you think it would work?
Why or why not?
BiAY.org | Day 211 — 154 Days to Go
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