Jeremiah 14:1 - 17:27 (Continued)

October 13, 2011

The Day of Disaster

Jeremiah 16:5 - "...I have taken back my blessing, my love, and my pity from these people."  Jeremiah 16:9 -  "I will soon stop the sounds of joy and gladness..."

People will ask—Why? Why is God saying these things? What have we done wrong? "What sin have we done against the LORD our God?"

Incredible. After all the things that Jeremiah and the other prophets had been telling them to try and reach them—they still didn't get it. They still could not, or maybe more accurately would not, admit or see that they "love to wander." They didn't want to change. They loved what they were doing. So they ask—Why? What have we done? And God says, tell them this:

"This is because your ancestors quit following me, and they followed other gods and served and worshiped them. Your ancestors left me and quit obeying my teaching. But you have done evil, more evil than your ancestors. You are very stubborn and do only what you want to do; you have not obeyed me. So I will throw you out of this country and send you into a land that you and your ancestor never knew. There you can serve other gods day and night, because I will not help you or show you any favors." Jeremiah 16:11-13

The sins of the generations, passed down (taught) to those who follow. The last line of what God said is so sobering. You want to be in charge? You want to follow other gods? Okay. You are on your own. Serve those other gods all you want and see where it gets you. You are on your own. "I will not help you or show you any favors." How sobering. I cannot imagine having the Holy Spirit's presence removed from my life. I wrote about this several months ago. (See my journal entries for July 20, 2011 - Isaiah 6:1 – 7:25; and July 21, 2011 - Isaiah 6:1 – 7:25 (Continued) ) "How terrible it will be" when you get what you thought you wanted and find yourself without the presence of the true God in your life. And those dreams you were chasing? They are empty and void of meaning, like chasing the wind. "There you can serve other gods day and night, because I will not help you or show you any favors."

God knows. He sees. "I see everything they do. They cannot hide from me the things they do; their sin is not hidden from my eyes." You may be able to fool man, but do you really think you are fooling God? Can't the maker of eyes—see? Can't the creator of ears—hear? (See Isaiah 29:15–16 and Psalm 94:9)

"I see everything they do. They cannot hide from me the things they do; their sin is not hidden from my eyes." (Jeremiah 16:17) "The LORD says, "So I will teach those who made idols. This time I will teach them about my power and my strength. Then they will know that my name is the LORD."

Then they will know. "Lord, show them your power and your strength, THEN they will know that you are THE LORD."

Jeremiah 17 - A chapter of comparisons. Who are you going to trust? Man? Or God?

"This is what the LORD says: 'A curse is placed on those who trust other people, who depend on humans for strength, who have stopped trusting the LORD... they don't know about the good things God can give." "But the person who trusts in the LORD will be blessed. The LORD will show him that he can be trusted. He will be strong, like a tree planted near water that sends its roots by a stream. (Sounds like Psalm 1.) It is not afraid when the days are hot; its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year when no rain comes; it always produces fruit." 

"More than anything else, a person's mind is evil and cannot be healed. No one truly understands it. But I, the LORD, look into a person's heart and test the mind. So I can decide what each one deserves; I can give each one the right payment for what he does."

"Like a bird hatching an egg it did not lay, so are the people who get rich by cheating. When their lives are half finished, they will lose their riches. At the end of their lives, it will be clear they were fools." Jeremiah 17:5-13

The people of Judah did not believe Jeremiah's words which came from God. They chose to leave God. They chose to wander away and leave the LORD. They chose pride, self-centeredness, and disobedience. In so doing, they chose judgment, sorrow, suffering, and consequences.

Jeremiah 17:27 - "I will start a fire... and it will not be put out."

Addendum: 6/10/15 ~ As I write these words about the "Day of Disaster" and the judgments that are sure to come when someone chooses disobedience, my heart starts to pound and tears fill my eyes. If only my sister and brother-in-law would change their hearts and lives. If only they would turn from their chosen ways and repent. If only they would surrender ALL.

If only.

If I could do it for them I would.

As much as it seemed disastrous at the time, I am grateful God sent this (my journal) from Genesis 1:1 – II Chronicles 11:17 to them. Even thought they twisted my words and from all outside appearances have discounted everything in it, I am still grateful to have had a voice and the opportunity to share God's words. They have traveled so far down the path of disobedience that I believe they are truly blinded to the TRUTH. As much as my heart pounds for them our prayer remains—whatever it takes. Whatever it takes Lord, may their eyes be opened.

"Then they will know."

Lord, when that day comes, may they have another opportunity for repentance.


Next Entry: Jeremiah 14:1 – 17:27 (Continued)