Jeremiah gives us an honest view of God and His view of sin. We get a front-row seat to what God was seeing, thinking, and purposing to do when His people were sinning away the wonderful situation they had in a land God gave them. Did they offend God? Did not God send prophets to call them to repentance? Did they not kill those prophets and spurn the Lord God? Did they not desecrate His law, trample down His acts of kindness and goodness, and forget His love—choosing to love worthless idols? Did not God give them centuries to repent? Was He not longsuffering?
God’s Resolute Decision
The answer to these questions is yes. We must remember this when reading through Jeremiah, as today is especially heavy. In Jeremiah 14:1-10, God sends a brutal drought. In verse 11, God forbids Jeremiah to even pray for His people.
Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good. When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence. (Jeremiah 14:11–12, KJV)
Notice how shut the ears of God are to any prayer for them.
Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth. And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity. (Jeremiah 15:1–2, KJV)
Wow, after centuries of longsuffering and pleading with His people to return to Him, God will now chasten them for their sins, as He had warned He would do.
Who Will Feel Sorry?
The question is asked: who will feel sorry for His people when all of this destruction comes upon them? And the answer is not God.
“Who will feel sorry for you, Jerusalem? Who will weep for you? Who will even bother to ask how you are? You have abandoned me and turned your back on me,” says the Lord. “Therefore, I will raise my fist to destroy you. I am tired of always giving you another chance. (Jeremiah 15:5–6, NLT)
Free to Make an Informed Choice
As I read these chapters this morning and the resolve of God to bring chastisement, I was reminded that God is not harsh, cruel, or evil for what He is about to do. God’s people had been told from the beginning and warned over the centuries by many prophets that there were two paths before them. To love God and keep His commandments, or turn from God and give their love to idols. This was their choice, not God’s. Jesus, looking over the city of Jerusalem, reveals the heart of God and of His people.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! (Luke 13:34, ESV)
Choosing Sin—Not Worth It
What a reminder that we can choose which path we want and that each path has a predictable destination. Love and obedience to God speak to a wonderful relationship with God. Choosing disobedience and sin is to choose what sin always brings: destruction, death, and the misery that proceeds it. The choice is ours.
The question is asked of Israel and, by application, is an excellent question for all to answer.
Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel? (Ezekiel 18:31, NLT)
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Jeremiah 14-17.