Jeremiah 4
-The Word of the LORD through His
prophet and spokesman Jeremiah in this chapter begins with a positive tone.
There is a conditional if, which gives some glimmer of hope in a desperate time
and situation. “If you will return” and “if you will put away your detested
things from My presence” without wavering (Jeremiah 4:1), then they and the
nations will bless themselves in Him, and in Him they will glory in truth,
justice, and righteousness (Jeremiah 4:2). God tells them to break up their
hardened hearts (the fallow ground) and not be deceived by the enemy and his
tactics (sowing among thorns) in order to renew their covenant with the LORD on
their part. Or else, God’s wrath will come like fire with nothing to quench it
because of their evil deeds (Jeremiah 4:3-4).
-After this warning, the
righteous judgment upon the land begins from the LORD. He is bringing from the
north (Babylon, Nabopolassar and Nebuchadnezzar II) an evil destroyer as a lion
to make their land a waste and ruin without inhabitant. This will be an
appalling devastation to the hearts of the king, princes, priests, and prophets
when they realize their own deceptive ways. Woe is decreed for this time
(Jeremiah 4:5-13). Yet, this will not be a complete destruction because of the
LORD’s faithfulness and His promise for ultimate redemption (Jeremiah 4:27).
God’s desire is brilliantly laid out in verse fourteen: “Wash your heart from
evil, O Jerusalem, that you may be saved. How long will your wicked thoughts
lodge within you?” So while the besiegers come and annihilate, there is purpose
in the corrective actions of an Almighty and All Loving God.
-A lament is given by the prophet
beginning in verse 19 as he foresees the coming calamity in his land. His soul
is in anguish, his hearts hurts and pounds in him, as he proclaims what he must
in preparation for the devastating war that is inevitable. This occurs because
God’s people have become foolish, not knowing Him. They are declared stupid
with no understanding, shrewd to do evil and devoid of even knowing how to do
good (Jeremiah 4:19-22).
-Verses twenty three through
twenty six display natural descriptions of the tumult that is coming. This demonstrates
the fierce anger of the LORD that is felt in every place of the holy land as a
result of breaking covenant with Him in idolatry. God’s purpose and spoken Word
does not change and will not be mocked (Jeremiah 4:28). *Application* Sometimes
God really does have to show us who the real boss is. He will receive His glory
one way or another and He will not share it with detestable things. This should
be the obvious conclusion from our study today. Stay true to His will, His
plan, and His guidance in your life and you will never have to fear His
corrective discipline. Remember that His discipline is ultimately for our good
and is done out of love (Hebrews 12:4-13).
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