Jeremiah 2:31-4:18 + Colossians 1:1-17 + Psalm 76:1-12 + Proverbs 24:21-22
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Old Testament – We read some harsh words today from God to Israel in Jeremiah chapters 2 & 3 – calling the nation a prostitute and an adulteress. These are not words a person wants to hear from God – much less an entire nation hearing these words! Jeremiah wrote this book during the last 40 years of Judah’s existence, which is not surprising to consider when we read this in chapter 3 verses 8 through 10 – “But now Judah, too, has left me and given herself to prostitution. Israel treated it all so lightly–she thought nothing of committing adultery by worshiping idols made of wood and stone. So now the land has been greatly defiled. But in spite of all this, her faithless sister Judah has never sincerely returned to me. She has only pretended to be sorry,” says the LORD.” Again, not words you want to hear from God. Can you imagine a much worse insult from God? A prostitute? An adulteress? As harsh as these words are – I almost hesitate to ask this – But I think I should – Today, are we ourselves ever a “prostitute” or an “adulteress” to God? Do we give ourselves over to sins and lusts and false loves that break God’s heart because of his love for us? Well, when we act in such a bad way, we are fortunate that God says things like he did in verse 1 of chapter 3 of Jeremiah today – “But you have prostituted yourself with many lovers, says the LORD. Yet I am still calling you to come back to me.” Even though we may sin gravely against God, he still calls us to come back to Him! Through Jesus today we can come back to Him! Do you need to come back to Him in any way in your life? Will you? Will you leave behind any and all “adulteress” or “prostitute” behaviors, and return to Him simply as the child of God that you were always made to be?
New Testament – Today we begin Paul’s letter to the church in Colosse! You can see in the map below that Colesse was about 100 miles east of Ephesus – and very close to Laodicea. You can also see the island of Patmos on this map below where John wrote the book of Revelation.
~ Colossians ~
Author: Paul the apostle
Place: Rome
Date: A.D. 60 or 61
Content: Paul wrote this letter while a prisoner in Rome to a city he had never visited. He had come to know of these believers while living in Ephesus on his second missionary journey, and now he was concerned because he had heard of some strange pagan theories that were creeping into the church. The views that were troubling the Colossians were a mixture of astrology, magic, and Judaism, which downgraded Christ to being just some sort of angel. Paul wrote to correct this error by showing that Christ is none other than God and possesses the fullness of the eternal God. Instructions follow concerning Christian living.
Theme: In this important letter of Paul’s we are presented with a carefully worked-out defense of Christ’s deity and glory. He is all in all and the believer has everything he needs in Christ. Paul warns that believers out not to be led astray by the foolishness and the false wisdom of men. Instructions for Christian living stress the power of God for men and the joy that believers may have by making use of all the resources that are theirs in Christ. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 27-28) A wonderful commentary on Colossians by J. Hampton Keathley, III, is at this link.
Colossians chapter 1 verses 15 through 17 are some of the most powerful statements in all of the Bible about Who Jesus truly is! “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before God made anything at all and is supreme over all creation. Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see–kings, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities. Everything has been created through him and for him. He existed before everything else began, and he holds all creation together.” Do you believe these words of Paul’s are true? Do you believe that Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God? Did Jesus exist before God made the Earth? Do you believe that Jesus holds all of creation together? Does Jesus hold you together?
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Colossians titled “The Supremacy of the Person of Christ” is at this link.
Bible Project: Here is a terrific video overview of the book of Colossians!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXTXlDxQsvc
Psalms – I love Psalm 76 verse 4’s reflection on God! “You are glorious and more majestic than the everlasting mountains.” I wonder how often we look at nature and forget that God created nature? I think so often we can look at a beautiful sunset or a mountain or a forest or an ocean and temporarily forget that God created these beautiful things. If God created these beautiful things, then doesn’t it stand to reason that God is more glorious and more majestic than all of his created things? I’ve said this one before on this blog: before I believed in Jesus or really even God, I honestly think I was evangelized by creation. Meaning – I would look at a starry night with my friends and say things like, “How could there be so many stars up there like that and there not be a God? Things like that can’t just happen by chance!” Praise God for his creation that was evangelizing me toward Him! Has creation ever evangelized you? Do you think creation might be able to evangelize your friends who do not yet know God? Let us pray that we don’t ever end up worshiping creation instead of the Creator. Let us be impressed and thankful and admire creation – but let us give the glory and the worship to the Creator, God, who is more glorious and more majestic than the everlasting mountains…
Proverbs – We read an interesting Proverb in chapter 24 verses 21 & 22 today – “My child, fear the LORD and the king, and don’t associate with rebels. For you will go down with them to sudden disaster. Who knows where the punishment from the LORD and the king will end?” I find it interesting that this Proverb says fear both God and the king. This is interesting that “fear” of the king – essentially the government – is put on equal footing with fear of God. I think this is important for us to pay attention to. God cares about governments. God though is of course above all governments. (I think it is important here to note that this Proverb does not say “worship” God and the king – we most definitely should not be worshiping the government….) It’s interesting that we are instructed here to fear the king and don’t associate with rebels. Or else you’ll go down with them to sudden disaster. Generally speaking, I can agree w/ this Proverb. But, this is also one of those Proverbs where I think to myself – “well, wait a second – what about this type of situation…..” I am sure we can all think of some situations where we should be associating with “rebels” of the government – and where that association is actually the moral high ground – the right thing to do. (if the government was a Nazi government for example) What are your thoughts on this Proverb? Should we always / sometimes / never fear both God and “the king”?
Worship Video: Psalm 76:4 reminded me of the fantastic worship song “Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble?” by Delirious. For some reason every time I hear the lyric “open up the doors and let the music play, let the streets resound with singing” I am reminded of a trip to the Dominican Republic I took several years ago to work on houses with Habitat for Humanity. Walking down the dusty streets of a tiny village in the DR I distinctly remember the doors being open, the music playing and the streets resounding with the singing of children playing. God’s presence was so real and tangible to me on that dusty little village in the DR. I pray you’ve had or will have a similar experience with God walking down “a street that has no name!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB0GBX2-Rms
Have you felt the mountains tremble? Click here and let the music play!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “For by him (Jesus) all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” Colossians 1:16 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray in thanksgiving to Jesus for all that He created! Things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, all rulers and authorities. Pray in thanksgiving that Jesus created you!
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy!
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )
======= Ramona:
>>This is one of those Proverbs I need to chew on a bit more. If anyone has insights on this one, please post up in the Comments below! >>
I think it’s all about prospective.
My son, [reverently] fear the Lord and the king, and do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary],
(Pro 24:21 AMP)
1) You could capitalize “king” and then you would have the Words of Jesus to obey. [“If you love me, you will obey my commandments. (Joh 14:15 NET.)]
2) This was written specially to Judah, though Judah, did have some wicked and fallen, very fallen kings and one queen who was totally “off the hook.”
3) From reading this Book, I am convinced we get the leadership we deserve, in my humble estimation, and since we serve our choices, we need to either change our lifestyle, renew our minds and then we will get better leadership when we find ourselves living in a wicked nation. Remember Elijah suffered through the famine called down in Israel although he was God’s man. (I Kings 17-18). Although Elijah did get himself a brook, a raven and a widow to feed him. God always provides a way out.
For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently. (1Co 10:13 AMP)
Any more thoughts and PERSPECTIVES?
Ramona
======== Ramona:
Jeremiah 2:31-4:18
In reading today’s passage, I wonder if there are any “Jeremiahs” walking around today that we are totally ignoring. We have the tendency to think judgment belongs to someone else and the person who is walking around shouting our doom is, well, just plan crazy.
I’ve always found it fascinating how God always uses the language of marital infidelity to describe his people’s idolatry. What is there in marriage that represents God’s Kingdom? People who are “stepping” out on there spouses usually use a multitude of excuses and justifications; however, if God uses the imagery marital faithlessness to describe out pursuit of other god’s then we can learn a great deal about God’s covenant with us and the covenant
For thus says the Lord to the men of Judah and to Jerusalem: Break up your ground left uncultivated for a season, so that you may not sow among thorns. (Jer 4:3 AMP)
Although not stated in the text, I’ve sometimes read this and think on this verse when I come across people who have been in, lets say, very rough “life styles,” who then immerse themselves in the scriptures and just go plum crazy. The Word of God is powerful and sometimes we try to mix that power with a corrupt lifestyle, thinking that the Word will cancel out the corruption. I do not know why I think of that when I read Jeremiah 4:3, except that Jesus compared the “seed” to the Word of God and the soil to our hearts. And I do know several people who have fallen into mental illness after having been enmeshed in drugs and vice, then when caught or exposed, descended into madness upon picking up the Bible.
Colossians 1:1-17
For those of us looking and seeking for our purpose in life, this chapter contains a powerful pray that can be personalized as well as prayed for others. Not only does it seek to help us find our purpose it also prayers for the power of God to enable to fulfill what we have called and been created to do in the Kingdom of God:
For this reason we also, from the day we heard about you, have not ceased praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may live worthily of the Lord and please him in all respects bearing fruit in every good deed, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might for the display of all patience and steadfastness, joyfully giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light. He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son he loves
Grace and peace,
Ramona
====== Andrew:
Interesting to read your comments on Paul’s purpose in writing Collossians. The phrase which struch me was: “… giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (NIV)
So it is God the Father who has “qualified” us – declared us worthy – to share in the inheritance of the Kingdom. He has rescued us from darkness and brought us into His Son’s Kingdom. Through the Son we have been redeemed and forgiven.
Paul writes it very vividly and with a huge depth of meaning beind each word.
Andrew
====== Michelle:
21 Fear the LORD and the king, my son, and do not join with the rebellious, 22 for those two will send sudden destruction upon them, and who knows what calamities they can bring?
Interesting question, Mike, about when we should choose to join the rebellious for moral reasons. I think, in general, just joining the rebellious because they are rebellious exhibits a lack of respect for order in society. However, if the order in society is clearly evil (such as the Nazis)then the higher moral imperative is to fight against them. But the truth of the proverb still doesn’t change. You still need to fear them, and you have no guarantee that things will turn out well for you.
I just watched the Pianist on DVD this week for the first time, and it was a heartbreaking movie. The Polish people (Jews and non-Jews) who resisted the Nazis were doing the right thing, but they were often killed. But what if they hadn’t fought at all??
Michelle
======= Ramona:
Jeremiah 2:31-4:18
Rambling thoughts:
Why do you gad or wander about so much to change your way? You shall be put to shame by Egypt as you were put to shame by Assyria. From [Egypt] also you will come away with your hands upon your head, for the Lord has rejected those in whom you confide, and you will not prosper with [respect to] them. (Jeremiah 2:36-37 AMP)
When God’s people rely on things, people, weapons, political parties, governments, us-four-and-no-more folks instead of their strong right arm, The Lord Jehovah, the Lord Strong and Mighty, we will be pierced through because we lean on a stick that has the appearance of strength but is nothing but decaying wood.
It amazes me how we will do everything to try to get our way, break every Commandment to try to bring about an out come, yet despite our failure to get our way, our failure at playing little gods, more than likely we will not repent until we are utterly crushed by our stupidity
. THAT IS to say, If a man puts away his wife and she goes from him and becomes another man’s, will he return to her again? [Of course not!] Would not that land [where such a thing happened] be greatly polluted? But you have played the harlot [against Me] with many lovers–yet would you now return to Me? says the Lord [or do you even think to return to Me?] Lift up your eyes to the bare heights and see. Where have you not been adulterously lain with? By the wayside you have sat waiting for lovers [eager for idolatry], like an Arabian [desert tribesman who waits to plunder] in the wilderness; and you have polluted the land with your vile harlotry and your wickedness (unfaithfulness and disobedience to God). (Jeremiah 3:1-2 AMP)
One of the things that can be clearly seen when one goes through the prophets is the imagery of a marriage relationship between God and His people. The imager of the spouse running after other men to get what she has already been given by God is so clear that a person who has no sight can see. Is it any wonder that God hates divorce? The Marriage Covenant is supposed to model on the earth, what God is to His people, their Husband.
There is so much to ponder and mediate on in Jeremiah that in seventeen plus years in reading this book over and over again, there are still lots of surprises and I am overwhelmed.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
====== Beth:
I agree with Michelle on the rebellious against a government in a situation like the German resistance during the Nazi regime. What is the saying? All it takes for evil to persist is for good men to do nothing.
My other comment would be to you Mike. C.S. Lewis was also evangelized by creation. One has to be careful though, that one recognizes and worships the Creator, not the created.
Beth
======= Jenny:
I certainly love Col. 1:15:17. “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.”
Now how do those false religions answer to that? Many of them claim Jesus is not God. They try to explain away the words in the Bible…’oh, it doesnt mean that!’ Well, what does it mean? I think it means: Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. lol. sounds like Christ=God to me!
Jenny
====== Cheryl:
About the question on the Proverb about fearing both God and “the king” – Martin Luther King, Jr. immedidately comes to mind. Had he not practiced “civil disobedience” against unjust laws that allowed people to be discriminated against because of the color of their skin/race, our country (USA) would still accept second class citizenship. That was not the way the our country was founded. And yes, people were jailed, beaten and lost their lives, however, the cause was so great the punishment didn’t matter.
Cheryl
======== Billy:
Mike, Loved your comment about being “evangelized by creation.” I enjoy hiking and seeing God’s creation in all its glory evangelizes me every time I go.
Billy
====== LaRhonda:
In reading the verse in Proverbs today, I believe that the higher authority is always God and obedience to him. I was married to a Minster for many years who I submitted to always..until God spoke that which was contrary to what he said…I opted to hear and obey God and am better off today….and single! He is now wandering in a wilderness of deception. Hearing God rescued me and my 7 children!
LaRhonda
====== Russell:
I understand the proverb to be a warning to us to have a healthy fear of the king(government)
Russell
====== Richie:
Paul is happy about how the people in Colossae are faithful to God and love him. Paul encourages them to keep it that way, and that he always thanks God whenever he prays for them because it is God who gives them this faith and love.
Richie
======= Jodie:
My prayer: I ask God that you will know fully what God wants and that you will also have great wisdom and understanding in spiritual things. I pray that you will live life that honors and pleases the Lord in every way and will produce fruit in every good work and grow in the knowledge of God. I pray God will strengthen you with his own great power and you will not give up when troubles come. I pray that you will be patient in time of trouble and you will joyfully give thanks to the Father. I pray that God will make you able to have all that he has prepared for you who live in the light.(Colossians 1:9-12)
Jodie
======= Karen:
I pray that I have a shepherding heart like Paul who yearns for the spiritual growth of others always.
Karen
======= Renee:
Jeremiah 2:31-4:18
Through Jeremiah, you can feel and hear God’s heart towards His people. They are worshipping idols and treating God as an afterthought…using Him when times get difficult..as if He doesn’t exist. He just wanted them to acknowledge what they were doing was sin. And, truly repent and worship Him as their One true God and Father.
How different are we in 2020?
This is an encouraging prayer for today : )
Colossians 1
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[e] to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Only God is to be reverenced. When God decides to take action, all will bow before Him.
Psalm 76
7 But you, you are to be feared!
Who can stand before you
when once your anger is roused?
8 From the heavens you uttered judgment;
the earth feared and was still,
9 when God arose to establish judgment,
to save all the humble of the earth.
Proverbs 24:21-22
21 My son, fear the Lord and the king,
and do not join with those who do otherwise,
22 for disaster will arise suddenly from them,
and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?
Shalom
Renee
======== Robert:
Colossians 1:1-17
This summer I ran into an older Christian gentleman that clearly had a mission to bring Biblical truth to splinter religions, in particular Jehovah’s Witness and Mormons. After a few conversations I could see he was very knowledgeable, patient, passionate, kind and I admired him. He has a gift. I say that because I have tried to argue with various cults and I am usually left in the dust. My argument’s come with long deliberate thought and prayer so I have trouble engaging in real time defense of the gospel. I know we are supposed to be prepared to share the gospel and I think God uses me as I give my testimony to others. That is my “mission”.
I really like Colossians 1: 15-20. Paul tells us who Jesus is. I am going to take that one to the bank! Usually I use the Apostles Creed as my grounding belief and simply share that in a way that supports my Christian journey and experiences.
Robert
======= Dee:
Jeremiah was a different kind of prophet than Isaiah was. What Isaiah in his say pacifies and allowed..Jeremiah is calling out. How many times do we “act” sorry but in reality we are not. In fact, we are just sorry of getting caught or called out. We have to repent, truly be sorry and turn from our ways and seek Him.
Colossions 1..the Hope for you..the people were going to Heaven. God qualified them..hope is what we stand when all else is sinking sand..Paul pointed all to Jesus Cbrist..our Savior. The Hope within..not just a destination but a motivation..we should not fear!
Dee
======= John:
Colossians 1:1-17
Paul is writing to Colossae as Mike points out because of the danger of false teachings. Primary amongst these was the “gnostics”. Gnostics believed that worthy individuals received divine revelation from God. This further revelation led them to argue things of the church from a “mystical” standpoint, and were contrary to the teachings of the gospel. [More on this later]
======================================================
Col1:1-14
Quick hits:
– Paul is back to a greeting that emphasizes his position of authority:
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,..”
-“Grace and peace to you from God our Father”: I have been remiss in pointing out that it is always “Grace and Peace” not “Peace and Grace”. Why? Because you cannot have Peace until you receive the Grace of God.
-“..we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus..”: It is not about faith. Today “faith” is a word bandied around a good deal. “faith” in what? Paul is glad because he has heard of their ‘faith IN Christ”.
-“..from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven..”
Just like in Ephesians, and in Philippians “but our citizenship is in heaven” – here the Greek verb tense indicates that your certain expectations are now and will continue to be stored up in heaven.
– Notice in praying that Paul expresses desires and then thanks:
DESIRES
asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will
in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord
being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might
THANKS
who has qualified you to share in the inheritance
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness
brought us into the kingdom of the Son
Paul in his prayer is desiring a growth in spiritual maturity, and thanking God for the gift of Salvation (which is assured). Salvation is of God.
======================================================
Supremecy of Christ
Four false teachings of the Gnostics:
1)It failed to appreciate that Jesus Christ is fully God as well as fully man.
2)It failed to understand that we are made complete in Christ alone.
3)It did not understand the full and complete sovereignty of Christ over all creation.
4)Tried to put the believer under the law and promoted legalistic ideas for living the Christian life. – Gil Rugh
http://www.biblebb.com/files/gr971.htm
Paul’s Refuting of these ideas:
Col1:15 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”
Many people have trouble with the idea in Genesis of man being made in the “image” of God. Perhaps the concept is made clearer here when refering to Christ. Image – Gk. eikon from which we get the word “icon”. Icon means a representation of something, and connotes a “manifestation” of that thing. Christ is the representation and manifestation of God. While our manifestation as the “image” of God is imperfect because of the fall – Christ is perfect.
Some cults and religious sects will say Christ was created. They will point to this passage and say – ‘See, Jesus is the firstborn’.
“firstborn” has had a different context throughout the Bible.
“The firstborn had the right of inheritance. He had the supreme position in the family. In other words, the firstborn got a double portion of the inheritance. This kept the family fortune intact, so to speak, the land and so on…But it does not always mean the one born first in time. It carries the connotation of the one who is supreme, the one who is in the place of honor.” – Gil Rugh (ibid.)
Examples:
-Ishmael was born first, but Isaac had the rights of firstborn.
-Esau is born first but Jacob has the rights of firstborn.
-Ex4:22b “..This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son.” Israel is not the first nation in existence, it is highest ranking and holds the position of honor with God.
-Psalm89 in a messianic prophecy “..Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.” Jesus will be in the line of David – but He will be supreme.
Jesus is supreme over all creation.
How so?
Col1:16 “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by (alternate translation:through)him and for him.
I often think of it as: God is the Architect, Christ is the supplier of materials and builder, and Holy Spirit is overseer. Perhaps that is too simplistic?????
All things were created by Him, through Him, and for Him. “through him” is interesting because it implies to me that all the energy and materials came from Christ (through Him). I think you will be hard pressed to find a scientist who will sign on to this observation 🙂 “for Him” is one of the supports for my belief that all this (the universe, earth, and man) is a “love gift” from the Father to the Son.
What does this mean? Well, all this is metaphorically God’s house. He gets to make the rules. It doesn’t matter if you like the rules, or think it is ok to break the rules.
Example:
Someone has a house, and you get to stay there for a while. The owner is absent, but has either told you or written down what is acceptable and not acceptable actions in the house. You proceed to trash the house, party in the house, neglect the house, etc. The owner returns. What is the first thing the owner will do? Does he have the right to kick you out? Based on what?
[Note: ignoring forgiveness, redemption, etc – just focusing on house and rules and the rights of the owner (creator of the house).]
Col1:17 “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
Christ is eternal. Before all things, Christ exists. “Before Abreham was born, I am. IN HIM is the power that sustains and maintains the creation that He has brought into existence. Deists will not be happy with this thought:)
John
======== John:
Jer 2(cont)
More rejection, more rationalizing, judgment affirmed
======================================================
Jer 3
Jer3:1 “If a man divorces his wife
and she leaves him and marries another man,
should he return to her again?
Would not the land be completely defiled?
But you have lived as a prostitute with many lovers—
would you now return to me?”
declares the LORD.” NIV
According to the Law, remarriage is not allowed. It is hard to tell from the different translations whether God is remarking on Israel’s coming back, or asking Israel to return.
If God is asking Israel to return, then this is an interesting foreshadowing because it would violate the Law. The foreshadowing would be that God’s grace overcomes the Law. God’s Grace can trump all – and without it we would not be saved.
Jer3:10 ” In spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Judah did not return to me with all her heart, but only in pretense,” declares the LORD.” NIV
God hates hypocrisy. He despises lukewarm attitudes (playing both sides of the fence – see Rev 3:15-16 comments on church of Laodicea.)God can deal with true love or true rejection – but do not try to con God. Do you think he does not know your heart? Do you think there is some lukewarm worship and relationships with God around the world? Checking in on Sunday, and going our own way the rest of the week?
Jer3:11 “The LORD said to me, “Faithless Israel is more righteous than unfaithful Judah.” NIV
In the Hebrew: Israel who has turned away from is more righteous than Judah who is deceitful in their attitude toward me. Echoing comment from Jer 3:10.
The lord can deal with those who have turned away:
‘Return, faithless Israel,’vs.11
“Return, faithless people,” vs.14
“Return, faithless people; vs.22
When you have turned away all the Lord asks is you turn back (Return). When you are deceitful, you cannot turn back, because that would mean you would have to confront your deceit. In the rationalized mind you never admit that you turned in the first place.
Ah, there is one more condition – Repent. Return and repent of your sins.
Jer3:13
Only acknowledge your guilt—
you have rebelled against the LORD your God,
you have scattered your favors to foreign gods
under every spreading tree,
and have not obeyed me,’ ”
declares the LORD.
Return and repent – the same as what is required for a believer today who has fallen away from the Lord in sin. Turn back to God, repent of your sins, and God will restore you.
Jer3:15 “Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.”
Leaders here, and for us – the promise is the same in the form of the Holy Spirit.
Then a picture of the future:
Jer3:16-17
“In those days, when your numbers have increased greatly in the land,” declares the LORD, “men will no longer say, ‘The ark of the covenant of the LORD.’ It will never enter their minds or be remembered; it will not be missed, nor will another one be made. At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the LORD, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of the LORD.”
Some day in the future (has not happened in full yet) – the ark will not be needed (it is gone). Jerusalem will be the throne of the Lord (not the mercy seat between the cherubim on the ark). In those days Judah and Israel will walk as one, and live in the land promised to Abraham.
More entreaties, some wailing, and it appears Jeremiah pleading for some repentance from Israel.
John
======= Vance:
JEREMIAH 3
22
“My wayward children,” says the LORD, “come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.”
JEREMIAH 4
1
“O Israel, come back to me,” says the LORD. “If you will throw away your detestable idols and go astray no more,
2
and if you will swear by my name alone, and begin to live good, honest lives and uphold justice, THEN YOU WILL BE A BLESSING TO THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD, AND ALL PEOPLE WILL COME AND PRAISE MY NAME.”
3
This is what the LORD says to the people of Judah and Jerusalem: “Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns.
4
Cleanse your minds and hearts before the LORD, or my anger will burn like an unquenchable fire because of all your sins.
NOTE:
Wow!
WE ARE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM – and we participate in the CALLING and BLESSING of Abraham—because of Jesus!
Galatians 3 (Amplified)
26
For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith.
27
For as many [of you] as were baptized into Christ [into a spiritual union and communion with Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah] have put on (clothed yourselves with) Christ.
28
There is [now no distinction] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29
And if you belong to Christ [are in Him Who is Abraham’s Seed], then you are Abraham’s offspring and [spiritual] heirs according to promise.
May we become and fulfill the covenant which God called for Abraham—what the Father established forever by the Life, Death, and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus—the covenant of the Gospel:
“…THEN YOU WILL BE A BLESSING TO THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD, AND ALL PEOPLE WILL COME AND PRAISE MY NAME.”
Our own holiness does not make us righteous. The Lord Jesus, by His grace does. Yet, because God is holy, we must be holy BECAUSE we are His children.
Hebrews 12 (Amplified)
14
Strive to live in peace with everybody and pursue that consecration and holiness without which no one will [ever] see the Lord.
Vance
