Subscription Lists

We are reading the prophetic preaching of a young man – Jeremiah – the early preaching of this young man - preaching to a people who really didn’t want to hear - to people who did not want to listen nor pay any attention. GOD was speaking and they were not interested. Jeremiah was chosen, called, and raised up, to preach and proclaim the Word of God - as that Word came to him. Jeremiah was a mouthpiece for GOD.

We come to Jeremiah Chapter 3verse 6 – when in Israel false gods are being worshipped.

A prophet is a man who seeks to bring GOD and HIS WORD to the people - whereas a priest seeks to bring people to GOD. There can be times when each has something of the others work to do - especially in The New Testament.

But the prophet basically holds up before men - GOD and HIS WORD - and the demands which God makes upon men - always in response to HIS Love and Mercy.

We respond today because of the Love of Jesus - because we have tasted and experienced something of the Love of Jesus. Jesus brought God right into the midst of men - reminding them of what God looked for - and He also brought men to God - leading men to the Father.

Jeremiah has been preaching - return to the Lord - let it not be only a pretence. Coming to the Lord Jesus means much more than simply coming to Worship services - returning to Jesus Christ always involves finding one’s proper place in the Body of Christ - in the local fellowship of disciples and believers. The Christian Faith has to do with people rather than places.

Being committed to Jesus Christ involves us in being properly related to people and being more committed to people, than to a place. The community of believers is more important than concrete. Being with believers is more important than bricks. This can cause many much trouble, over years sometimes.

Jeremiah is called to preach to people who have wandered away from the Lord - reminding people not only of their privileges - but also of their responsibilities and obligations. We who are called by Jesus Christ have tremendous privileges and blessings - saved, forgiven, rescued, loved, guided, led, protected – and we are called to be loving, obedient, willing, loyal, faithful, responsible - as we serve in the Kingdom of God.

Jeremiah warns Judah pointing to the doom experienced by the northern kingdom.

Verse 11 . God calls Israel to repentance - promising pardon and restoration - if people genuinely repent. JUDAH had kings and priests - such privileges.

Verses 15 to 17 – Jeremiah tells the people of God - that God wants to give them good shepherds – good leaders - and Jeremiah wants to see Israel influencing the world. We are called to be the community of people who will change the world - transforming it - being light in the darkness - being salt which will prevent the decay from spreading faster.

Verse 19 . GOD wants us to come and call Him, FATHER - we are to be serious - and mean business - no pretence - no pretending. It is to ME you return - not just to your land - but to ME.

Chapter 4 begins - return - and put away - and if you are truthful and just and righteous - when you come back - this is what is waiting for you - THE PLOUGH. GOD wants to get in - into our lives - into every area and each aspect - but sometimes He cannot because there are so many interests - so many distractions - so many things diverting us away from Jesus and his teaching.

And we have to be circumcised in our hearts - our hearts at times have to be ploughed up - things cut out - things cut off - “Cut out the things that should be cut out.”

This has to be applied to ourselves - and then to the nation. This is what God is saying to Jeremiah and to the people. And - it is very similar today.

God’s call is one of holiness - righteousness - purity - truth - power - these are big words which are associated with the calling of God upon our lives. But if it is not these things - is it Jesus Christ who is motivating us?

Judah and Jerusalem did not listen - and a lion came and devoured their land. A lion came and gobbled up little Judah and Jerusalem. Verse 7 .

It was so unexpected - even Jeremiah appears to be thrown off balance - almost taken by surprise – verse 11. The hot Sirocco wind came from the east - and it is judgement - and GOD makes it very clear in verses 18,19 that the people have brought this upon themselves.

We are reading here of Jehovah’s anger - and Judah’s annihilation - and in verses 19 to 31 we read of Jeremiah’s anguish. He is so involved in what is going on in his country and so should we be - concerned about what is happening - the condition - the state of the nation.

Do we know anything of the real concern and deep emotion which gives rise to verse 19 ? We should! Jeremiah is deeply upset - so was Jesus at times.

Verse 20 . On he goes to speak about a succession of disasters - suddenly homes and securities are gone. In verse 22 the words are strong - fools - senseless - ignorant - only good at evil - they cannot do good.

When a prophet sees and feels and senses and discerns all this, it is tragic – and our living merciful God is waiting, with open arms.

Verse 23 . Jeremiah has a vision - and it is horrible - horrendous - the land has returned to state and condition it was in before God created it. Waste - void - empty. This is the land which was to be flowing with milk and honey - with plenty. The clay is back as a lump - and it is as if God is saying to Jeremiah through this vision - “I’ve no Creation - I’ve no special people - My wife is dead - I have no special family - and I so wanted a family - that is why I chose Abraham.”

To be called of God - and to have to see this mess - and to have to proclaim this to people who were not interested. To be called into fellowship - and to leave all that - to forsake all that - to be alone and isolated - to be on your own when you are meant to be part of something - that is tragic - and Jeremiah sees this picture of ‘nothingness’.

Verse 30 . What a call of love! What are you doing, O Israel? Do you actually know what you are doing? And Jeremiah now sees Israel painting herself up - putting on make-up - dressing up with jewelry as if nothing were wrong - trying to appear that all is well. That is common today.

God shows Jeremiah the reality of the situation - and she is doing this for a purpose - Israel wanted to make love with the invader! And the invader despised the painted woman!

The world knows when we are compromising the truth of God - when we are painting things to be better than they really are - when we make things out to be better than they really are. The world may use and abuse the Church - but in the end of the day the world will despise. That will never be a popular truth - but it remains true.

But - it is better to be despised for being true and just and holy - and penetrating with the light which comes to you - and shines from you - than to be despised for being deceitful - hypocritical and unfaithful.

Israel goes out and has a relationship with the invader - thinking that she can be loved - thinking that she can save herself from being overrun and conquered - and it is as if she has a miscarriage. Her plans have miscarried - and she is writhing in agony.

Verse 31 . The invaders do not seek her love - but her life. Those who attack the Church of Jesus Christ - do not seek our love - even though we seek to love them - and are even called and taught and commanded by Jesus to love them - in purity - in holiness - not through involvement which leads to compromise.

They do not seek our love - but our life. And that continues right through to the Book of Revelation. We see this clearly in the life and ministry of Jesus - the people did not seek his love though Jesus wanted to love them with the love of the Father. They were seeking how they might kill HIM.

When we go out to love people with the Love of Jesus - we do not go out painted - or wearing a mask. We go out anointed with the Holy Spirit. There is a big difference.

The invader tries to do one thing to us - Jesus is so very different - Matthew 11verse 28 - Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and burdened - and I will give you REST. When we come to HIM - when we return to GOD through JESUS - HE does not take our love or our life from us - HE gives us more love - and He offers us abundant life.

“Almighty God – there are so many lessons in this passage – lessons which we need to heed and hear today – help us where we may feel weak and frail and vulnerable – anoint us with the power of the Holy Spirit – feed us from the encouraging Scriptures – enable us to shine and serve where it is dark and hurting – in Jesus Name.” Amen.

"Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life" from Tom Kelley

The Curse is Gone