September 29, 2011
God makes it clear there is a big difference between obedience and going through the motions. Obedience is doing what God says. Period. God didn't start out telling His people to do the rituals/sacrifices. His instructions were simple: No other gods. "Do what I command so that good things will happen to you." But instead of obeying God, they wanted to be in charge of their own lives. "They were stubborn and did whatever their evil hearts wanted. They went backward, not forward." Jeremiah, you will tell them about this but they won't answer. "These people do nothing when I correct them. They do not tell the truth; it has disappeared from their lips."
The valley of Topheth was a place where the people of Judah did what God said was evil. God took the very thing (place) where they disobeyed Him and turned it into ruin. Isaiah 30 talks about the valley of Topheth. "...and the LORD's breath will come like a steam of burning sulfur and set it on fire."
Jeremiah 8 - Sin and Punishment
Why is it? Why is it that some people will just not admit they are wrong or that they've made a mistake? Especially when it has anything to do with God? If you fall down—you get up. If you make a wrong turn—you turn around. Yet, when people then (and now) go the wrong way—away from God—why is it that they do not turn back to truth? God tells why in Jeremiah 8:5 - "They believe their own lies and refuse to turn around and come back... they do not feel sorry about their wicked ways."
They keep charging forward, even if they are on the wrong path. Even the birds of the air know the right thing to do and when to do it. But His people thought they were safe because they had the teachings of the LORD. They thought they were wise but they weren't wise at all. They instead will be shamed. They will be shocked. They will be trapped. They are greedy for money, and they tell lies. They try to act as if they have not been punished saying, "It's all right, it's all right." But it's not all right. They should be ashamed of their actions, but they're not. They don't even understand that they should be embarrassed by their actions. "They will be thrown to the ground when I punish them, says the LORD. I will take away their crops... There will be no grapes on the vine and no figs on the fig tree. Even the leaves will dry up and die. I will take away what I gave them." (Habakkuk 3:17–19) Prosperity—gone. Wealth—gone. Sustenance—gone. Everything they thought they had accomplished—gone. They didn't understand all they had came from God.
Jeremiah could see what all was going to happen to the people of Judah and it rocked him to the core. He couldn't do anything to change the outcome. He could only faithfully warn them of what God said. Jeremiah—described as the weeping prophet. He felt the pain. He felt the hopelessness. Yet he knew where his strength came from. "God, you are my comfort when I am very sad and when I am afraid." He wished he could get away from his people. He saw. He knew what they were doing, and he knew the consequences they were going to face... and it broke his heart. They used their tongues like weapons. They spoke lies instead of truth. They could not be trusted. They were cheaters. No one was safe from their deceit. Not family, and not friends. They no longer knew who the LORD truly was. They refused to know Him.
"I will test the people as a person tests metal in a fire. I have no other choice, because my people have sinned. Their tongues are like sharp arrows. Their mouths speak lies. (Psalm 140 - Her Name Was Jane) Everyone speaks nicely to his neighbor but is secretly planning to attack him." (NIV says "sets traps.") Shouldn't I do this, says the LORD? Shouldn't I hold them accountable? When someone asks, "Why was everything ruined?" tell them this. "It is because (they) quit following my teachings... they have not obeyed me or done what I told them to do." They were stubborn and searched for wealth (Baal), "like their ancestors taught them to do." So, the LORD says the consequences will soon begin. The milk and honey they could have had will now be bitter food and poisoned water. I will scatter them. They will be forced to leave the land I gave them. I will chase them. (Psalm 140 - may disaster hunt down men of violence.)
"This is what the LORD says: 'The wise must not brag about their wisdom. The strong must not brag about their strength. The rich must not brag about their money. But if someone wants to brag, let him brag that he understands and knows me. Let him brag that I am the LORD, and that I am kind and fair, and that I do things that are right on earth. This kind of bragging pleases me,' says the LORD."
In other words, it is not about you and your perceived wisdom, strength, and wealth. It is ALL about God! He is the giver of all things. The great I AM. Jehovah Jireh.
The time is coming when I will punish those who "act" the part.
Next Entry: Jeremiah 7:1 – 10:25 (Continued)
God makes it clear there is a big difference between obedience and going through the motions. Obedience is doing what God says. Period. God didn't start out telling His people to do the rituals/sacrifices. His instructions were simple: No other gods. "Do what I command so that good things will happen to you." But instead of obeying God, they wanted to be in charge of their own lives. "They were stubborn and did whatever their evil hearts wanted. They went backward, not forward." Jeremiah, you will tell them about this but they won't answer. "These people do nothing when I correct them. They do not tell the truth; it has disappeared from their lips."
The valley of Topheth was a place where the people of Judah did what God said was evil. God took the very thing (place) where they disobeyed Him and turned it into ruin. Isaiah 30 talks about the valley of Topheth. "...and the LORD's breath will come like a steam of burning sulfur and set it on fire."
Jeremiah 8 - Sin and Punishment
Why is it? Why is it that some people will just not admit they are wrong or that they've made a mistake? Especially when it has anything to do with God? If you fall down—you get up. If you make a wrong turn—you turn around. Yet, when people then (and now) go the wrong way—away from God—why is it that they do not turn back to truth? God tells why in Jeremiah 8:5 - "They believe their own lies and refuse to turn around and come back... they do not feel sorry about their wicked ways."
They keep charging forward, even if they are on the wrong path. Even the birds of the air know the right thing to do and when to do it. But His people thought they were safe because they had the teachings of the LORD. They thought they were wise but they weren't wise at all. They instead will be shamed. They will be shocked. They will be trapped. They are greedy for money, and they tell lies. They try to act as if they have not been punished saying, "It's all right, it's all right." But it's not all right. They should be ashamed of their actions, but they're not. They don't even understand that they should be embarrassed by their actions. "They will be thrown to the ground when I punish them, says the LORD. I will take away their crops... There will be no grapes on the vine and no figs on the fig tree. Even the leaves will dry up and die. I will take away what I gave them." (Habakkuk 3:17–19) Prosperity—gone. Wealth—gone. Sustenance—gone. Everything they thought they had accomplished—gone. They didn't understand all they had came from God.
Jeremiah could see what all was going to happen to the people of Judah and it rocked him to the core. He couldn't do anything to change the outcome. He could only faithfully warn them of what God said. Jeremiah—described as the weeping prophet. He felt the pain. He felt the hopelessness. Yet he knew where his strength came from. "God, you are my comfort when I am very sad and when I am afraid." He wished he could get away from his people. He saw. He knew what they were doing, and he knew the consequences they were going to face... and it broke his heart. They used their tongues like weapons. They spoke lies instead of truth. They could not be trusted. They were cheaters. No one was safe from their deceit. Not family, and not friends. They no longer knew who the LORD truly was. They refused to know Him.
"I will test the people as a person tests metal in a fire. I have no other choice, because my people have sinned. Their tongues are like sharp arrows. Their mouths speak lies. (Psalm 140 - Her Name Was Jane) Everyone speaks nicely to his neighbor but is secretly planning to attack him." (NIV says "sets traps.") Shouldn't I do this, says the LORD? Shouldn't I hold them accountable? When someone asks, "Why was everything ruined?" tell them this. "It is because (they) quit following my teachings... they have not obeyed me or done what I told them to do." They were stubborn and searched for wealth (Baal), "like their ancestors taught them to do." So, the LORD says the consequences will soon begin. The milk and honey they could have had will now be bitter food and poisoned water. I will scatter them. They will be forced to leave the land I gave them. I will chase them. (Psalm 140 - may disaster hunt down men of violence.)
"This is what the LORD says: 'The wise must not brag about their wisdom. The strong must not brag about their strength. The rich must not brag about their money. But if someone wants to brag, let him brag that he understands and knows me. Let him brag that I am the LORD, and that I am kind and fair, and that I do things that are right on earth. This kind of bragging pleases me,' says the LORD."
In other words, it is not about you and your perceived wisdom, strength, and wealth. It is ALL about God! He is the giver of all things. The great I AM. Jehovah Jireh.
The time is coming when I will punish those who "act" the part.
Next Entry: Jeremiah 7:1 – 10:25 (Continued)
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