More reflections on Jeremiah – week 2 – Chapters 7 – 11
Blessings ! This will be an unusual post. I have our youngest daughter sleeping across the living room on a blow up mattress after arriving last night at the airport. Both her and her Mom need their sleep . So, I went to the apartment workout room to use the computer and lo and behold they have the computer room locked up due to Covid. So Plan B, I am back here typing in the dark quietly on the other side of the living room so as to not to disturb my daugher. You make do with a 700 sq. ft apartment. So, this post will be short of the usual bible verse cross references.
Just a quick housekeeping note: I know we have folks reading some of the posts but if you aren’t logging on, you will not see the comments between brother Carl and myself. So just contact me if you need an account set up. In the meantime, at a minimum, I am going to include Carl’s comments that include his reference to Skip Heitzig’s sermon series on Jeremiah. I am resolved to catch up by checking those out starting with the two sermon series on the book of Jeremiah. I will put this on a separate post.
Ok, let’s get started. To this point, I recalled a book written by the Harris brothers while they were still in college titled: “Do Hard Things!” I think Jeremiah is an exemplary mentor on constantly seeking the struggle on the path of the “uncomfortable”, as opposed to our default positions: “Avoiding the uncomfortable”. To begin with, he answered God’s call to be a prophet instead of following the natural course of becoming a 3rd generation (min.) temple priest. The temple priest lifestyle could be pretty kush. And we see in our readings, there didn’t seem to be any priests that were rebuking the people for bringing idols into the temple. Recall Jesus , when he overturned the moneychangers tables proclaiming: “You have turned my Father’s house into a den of thieves.
Jesus told us there something is wrong if everyone speaks highly of us. Why? Because , as the Bible notes, we cannot love the Lord and the world at the same time. Jeremiah is very much alone in the evil of his time. And it is increasingly moving that way for us. Why do we seem reticent even to correct our own children to the Lord’s path? Example? How many self professed christian parents will not say a word when a young adult child lives with a boyfriend/ girlfriend before marriage, even for years? We should be overwhelmed by the fear of the Lord.
Brother Carl pointed out the verse in chapter seven where God tells Jeremiah: “Do not pray for these people”. We will see two more repeat instances in Jeremiah. To put it in perspective, compare this to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Genesis 19. In Genesis 18, God is very patient with Abraham pleading for mercy, agreeing ultimately He will save the city if in fact there are just ten repentant believers. So, we know the degree of evil there with the deplorious scene of Ch 18. So yea, how much worse can it be in Jerusalem just before the Babylonian captivity. We’re reading it in these chapters , including idols within the temple, with the priests fully complicit.
But on top of that, I have read historical accounts that make reference to the children of Israel sacrificing their children as their pagan neighbors did. The neighboring Canaanites buried the corpses in the walls to appease their gods. We subsidize Planned Parenthood’s selling of murdered infant body parts. Aren’t we like the Jews of the time, no “not us!; not here! “, we are the “covenant people”, the children of Abraham. For us, “We are America”. We acknowledge evil, at least many of us, but do we see our own sin, as causal factors for the nation’s evil? Is God going to give me a pass on abortion simply for not voting for Obama? I was given ten talents at birth, with two God fearing parents. God expects more from me than the brother or sister that only received one talent. (Note: We are saved only by the substitutionary atonement, the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. But scripture is clear, we will all face a judgment.)
On our questions # 6 and #9 on idolatry, I posted a quote in response to an article: “Is heaven for real”. In it, the person calls God out for sending people to hell. We see and hear this all the time. Of course, I have always considered this heretical and crossing over into “fear of the Lord’ territory. But it is only of late that I recognize this as idolatry as in: “I am god, I know better.” It is a horrific disregard for: God’s sovereignty; His unfathomable Holiness and love (justice!) too! , all rolled into one. As I have noted, it reminds me of C.S. Lewis’ book : “God in the dock.” Indeed, it is a case of “thy will be done” for those who reject Him.
- Question #4 and #11 – Re: The people misusing the covenant relationship and God’s reminder: The people were very comfortable in the blessings of God. But they ignored the responsibilities, their side of the “contract”. They gave lip service to God and their walk was spent with their idols. God calls us to share in the suffering of Christ. Why? So that we can participate as his children in the battle against the Devil and his minions. And so, that He may be further glorified here for the kingdom of God is here.
- I think I may have mentioned this old saying before: “If you want to see what a man values, observe where he or she spend their time.” We all have an original sin nature. If we do not spend any time with God, be it in prayer or in His Word, we will become blind to His truth as witnessed here in the nation of Israel just before the Babylonian captivity and destruction of the temple, and in our time. I am thankful that our parents and grandparents didn’t live to see what is going on today in this country. They wouldn’t recognize it at all.
- So , answer to #7 , Why were the people unwillingly to change even after Jeremiah’s prophecy: Plain and simple – they were blinded. If lip service is all you got, you are blind to His truth.
- Question #11 – What was the consequence Jeremiah faced because he stood with God? Answer: He gave up completely what he could not keep, life in this world , in exchange for “all in” on what he could not lose – unfathomable joy in His Kingdom! Pretty good deal , no?, speaking in a worldly sense. It is a math problem: Say we live 125 years (pick any number actually), divide by infinity. What do we get? Is it not through calculus and limits: zero! So in this breath called life in this world, that is what it is ultimately worth to choose the world! Compared to infinite on the other side of the choice. And we can’t choose both by definition. Those who think they can play both sides of the fence aren’t saved yet, so witness to them!
- #9 – Getting caught up in the majesty and grandeur of God: Start with baby steps, be intentional and make it a non-negotiable must each day, building from there: For me, it is reciting Psalm 145 in my bedtime prayer. And I need another baby step: In the morning, I am going to start with a prayer: “Lord what would you have me do for your kingdom today! Do not allow me to shirk from “Do hard things!”
- I would submit the list of the following courageous Christian mentors that go against the flow of the world as Jeremiah did in his day: Star Parker; Tony Evans; Ben Carson; Larry Elder; Candace Owens; Bob Woodson; Tim Scott; Shelby Steele; Voddie Baucham; Rob Smith; Burgess Owens; Jack Brewer; Allen West. E Pluribus Unum! One body in Christ! One race as Voddie notes!: We are all from Adam and Eve. So, it is not about race. But all these mentors happen to be black. And if we listened to them, they would lead us out – all America,for they are God’s messengers. So, let’s look at this list: The Obamas – both Barrack and Michelle, Opray Winfrey, Rev. Wright, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Louis Farahkhan, Maxine Waters, Sheila Jackson Lee, Kamala Harris, Corey Booker…. Who is their god? And which list is followed more in the media? God’s messengers or the Devil’s minions? And if it is the later, what does that say about us?
Blessings! Always connected by His grace… Soli Deo Gloria!