Rebuked by an old seer

The Prophet Jeremiah by Michelangelo

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Jeremiah 2:14-37

TO CHEW ON: "'Your own wickedness will correct you
And your backsliding will rebuke you.
Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing
That you have forsaken the Lord your God,
And the fear of Me is not in you,'
Says the Lord God of hosts."  Jeremiah 14:19

Jeremiah was not a popular man. "Partly this was because of the message of doom proclaimed by Jeremiah, a message contrary to the hope of the people…" explains Roy E. Hayden, in my Bible's introduction to Jeremiah (New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, p. 956).

As we see in our reading today, Jeremiah used strong language to describe the state of Judah during his time (the reigns of Josiah, Jehoidah, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah - 626-586 B.C.). It's easy to see why his message was unpopular. How would you like to hear yourself:

• described as a slave (Jeremiah 2:14) and told that you are responsible for this enslavement (Jeremiah 2:17)?

• compared to a prostitute (Jeremiah 2:20)?

• called a "degenerate plant of an alien vine" (Jeremiah 2:21)?

• described as permanently stained by sin (Jeremiah 2:22)?

• likened to a wild dromedary or donkey in heat (Jeremiah 2:23-25)?

• depicted as utterly stupid for trusting in rocks and trees instead of God (Jeremiah 2:27-28)?

• compared to children who don't learn from correction (Jeremiah 2:30)?

• likened to an unfaithful bride who preens herself for illicit love while her skirts are stained, for all to see, with the blood of the innocents (Jeremiah 2:32-34)?

But does all this have anything to do with us? Perhaps more than we care to admit. For we too readily forsake Jesus, our first love.

We let ourselves become enslaved, if not to addictive substances, then to things we think we need to live in ease and comfort.

We go after idols, not of wood and stone but wealth, talent, and position.

Instead of finding the solution to our problems in God's word, we look to the world's wisdom and keep repeating the same mistakes.

Meanwhile, we turn a blind eye to injustices happening right under our noses.

I am not scolding you, dear reader, but myself.

The solution: "God calls for obedience to His commands in a pure covenantal relationship. Sin requires repentance and restoration; obedience leads to blessing and joy" - Roy E. Hayden, Introduction to Jeremiah, New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, p. 958.

Or we will suffer the consequences, as our wickedness corrects us and our blacksliding rebukes us.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to deal with my own tendencies toward idolatry, compromise, and backsliding. Amen.

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The Holy Bible, New King James Version Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. - Used with permission.