Jeremiah 8 reminds me of an article about a
coastal storm that hit in the days prior to satellites. Entire
stretches of beach were destroyed and building collapsed and burned.
Many lives were lost for lack of knowledge. Today we can
forecast hurricanes accurately a week in advance, and yet, some still
choose to ignore the clear photos. We wonder, what could cause
anyone to disregard the approaching danger? Today’s chapter
begins with a scene from the aftermath, “At
that time… the bones of the kings and officials… will be removed
from their graves. They will be exposed to the sun and the
moon… which they have loved and served… They will not
be…buried“. God
gave His people the long range outlook, but they do not change.
Jeremiah then becomes the chief meteorologist, speaking for God,
“This is what the Lord says“.
He presents a simple picture of grace, after we evacuate God’s
place of peace, He always allows us to return with welcome arms.
“When people fall down, do they
not get up? When someone turns away, do they not return?”
Sadly, he asks, “Why then have
these people turned away? They cling to deceit; they refuse to
return“. When the water
rises, people will hold on to any old piece of junk to survive, but
that is so unnecessary if we heed the warnings.
When
people want to deny God, it is astounding what they will believe and
repeat. “I have listened
attentively, but they do not say what is right“.
Adding, “None of them repent of
their wickedness“. More
often their choices put them in more peril, “Each
pursues their own course like a horse charging into battle“.
He comments about those that should know God’s law, “My
people do not know the requirements of the Lord“.
He asks, “Since they have
rejected the word… what kind of wisdom do they have?”
When we reject any standard of righteousness we are left with no
right or wrong. We lose any long range perspective.
Me-first philosophy says if it feels good do it, today is all that
matters. “Are they
ashamed of their detestable conduct?
No…
they do not even know how to
blush.” Jeremiah adds,
“So they will fall among the
fallen“.
So
what happens when we do not listen to God, we do not honor God, and
we do not thank God? “I
will take away their harvest, declares the Lord.
There
will be no grapes on the vine. What I have given them will be
taken from them“.
Once the storms hit, people react, but by then some roads are
blocked. “Why
are we sitting here? Gather together! Let us flee to the
fortified cities and perish there!
We
hoped for peace but no good has come, for a time of healing but there
is only terror“.
With water rising and waves crashing they call out, “You
who are my Comforter in sorrow, my heart is faint within me“.
People actually blame God for the mess they are in, but listen to the
Father’s heart, “Why
have they aroused My anger?”
Jeremiah speaks as a helpless witness, “Since
my people are crushed, I am crushed; I mourn, and horror grips me“.
He cries out, “Is
there no balm in Gilead? Why then is there no healing for
the wound of my people?”
Friend, I am here to say there is and His name is Jesus.
Remember in Mark chapter 4, the disciples were caught in an
unexpected storm on the sea while Jesus slept in the back. “The
disciples woke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if
we drown?’”
What did He do? “He
got up, rebuked the wind and… the waves… Then the wind died down
and it was completely calm“.
He asked a question that might be intended for us today, “Why
are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
Storms are coming, are you ready?