Day 220 – Jeremiah 4-6

Talking Points

• God gives a picture of the state of Jerusalem: They are greedy for gain, they deal falsely, cling to false hopes, and love false religion. They not only sin, but are boldly proud of their sin. As I read this, I think, “How is this not an exact description of our day?”
• God reveals the problem. The wicked, sinful actions are just the symptom. The real issue is the hearts and minds of the people. “Wash your heart from evil, O Jerusalem, That you may be saved. How long will your wicked thoughts Lodge within you?” (Jeremiah 4:14). Focusing on actions has never changed anyone. We need a change of heart and mind.
• How is it the people heard the Word of God, but wouldn’t listen to the Word of God? Jeremiah laments that they will not “repent” (5:3). They will not heed God’s warning. Today, are we reading God’s Word, or are we listening to God’s Word? Speak, O Lord!
• The prophets and the priests have dealt falsely. “They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, Saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ But there is no peace” (6:14). It does no one any good to gloss over sin.

Thoughts

Again, God calls His people to repent. Again, they hear of a sure and coming judgment. Again, they move forward in happy disregard for God’s warning. As we roll through this painful cycle in the history of God’s people, as it starts to become exasperating to us, let’s pause and ask a few questions: Why do they not fear God? Why do they not remember Him? Why in the world would they not seek Him? After all they had seen and heard, after all the prophets, after witnessing His grace and power — how?? It doesn’t make sense. How can it? What is wrong with these people?!

Now, go back and read that last paragraph again. Except, everywhere it said “they,” replace it with “we.” Go slow. Why do we not fear God? Why do we not remember Him? Why in the world would we not seek Him? After all we have seen and heard, all the prophets, after witnessing His grace and power — how?? What is wrong with us?!

The answer is the same for both groups. We do not know Him. We have heard, we have even seen, yet, we do not know Him. Not really. We, like them, have become so far removed fro a deep, true knowledge of God that we do not consider Him in all things. “For My people are foolish, They know Me not” (4:22).

See His heart, here. God wants us to know Him! He calls us to know Him. In these days, as we read through God’s Word, His revelation of Himself to us, may a great result be that we would truly know Him.