Subscription Lists
Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
In Jeremiah Chapter 5 and at verse 5 we read that Jeremiah sets out to go and speak to the leaders - but they too have compromised their principles - “Surely they will know the way of the Lord - surely they will know what God requires of them.”
Yes, they knew - but they had thrown off the demands of God. And in verse 6 the big words are used - rebellion and backsliding. And that led to moral decay.
Verse 13 . We have a terrible description of the popular preachers.
What a warning to us as a people – and regarding our nation – our society – and concerning the welfare and well-being of civilization.
Jeremiah is dealing with big issues in these messages - as God speaks to him - and commands him to speak out - and tell things as they really are – to describe the situation as God sees the situation.
We have been looking at - the Spiritual Decline - the Moral Decadence - the consequence being National Destruction - and seeing such a parallel to our current situation.
Jeremiah is to go through the streets of Jerusalem and check things out - and see how far the people of God have sunk!
In no way were these people grateful for what God had done.
In our Worship - in our times of Praise and Prayer - always include thanksgiving - be known as someone who is grateful - a person and a people who express thanks. As we give thanks - His Goodness and Blessing can fall upon us preventing rebellion and backsliding.
Verse 25 - learn the lesson, as they failed to have regular rainfall resulting in failed harvests.
Jeremiah uses - in verse 26 - the picture of a fowler - of a poacher - and he is setting his traps to catch people. He realises that he is not getting enough in a legitimate way - so he tries illegal methods.
Materially these people have grown rich and fat – economically prosperous. There is no limit to what they will get up to - and they have no interest in the fatherless or the poor - that is always an element that touches the heart of God. Verse 28 . When men rebel - who suffers? The orphans and the needy and the poor. This appears to be a principle of sin - when men rebel - the poor and needy and fatherless suffer.
Verse 31 . The prophets and priests proved to be unfaithful to God – and the people liked it that way! Today – I am not sure if the people could even be bothered!
Religious and moral values had gone in Israel - but by now society was no longer stable! First of all, there is a collapse from the inside - and that happens before anything is seen from the outside.
And notice – verse 6 - it is the lion and the wolf and the leopard that will come and devour. This is the language of the jungle. If people want to live that way - it is as if God says - you will reap the results of the jungle - of the animal world.
Chapter 6 verse 9 . Judgement will be so total - it will be like going through a vineyard so that not one grape is missed. The first punishment was failed crops - 5 verses 24,25 - that was the first way God tried to get through to His people - the rains did not come - food was scarce - their sins had prevented the rains from falling – the irony of it all - they worshipped Baal - the fertility god – and now there was no rain.
Then there came this fearful conflict - God uses human beings - Babylon - they were cruel and relentless. Jeremiah - verse 10 - had to prophesy - and speak and proclaim - that no-one would listen or pay attention – but the fire of the Lord is burning in his bones - and he cannot remain quiet. And - the Word of the Lord is that everything will be lost.
Verse 13 to 15 . All are alike. They put a plaster on a cancer - they say that things are not serious. They say ‘Peace - Peace - when there is no Peace!’
That is what people will be prophesying and preaching when Jesus Christ comes again - 1Thessalonians 5 verse 3.
They were not ashamed of their behaviour - they did not even blush. Nothing could shock them or shame them.
Verse 16 . Ask for the old ways - if you don’t know where the good way is - ASK. There you will find rest. For us - it means returning to the Lord Jesus Christ - who is the way the truth and the life.
Back in 5 verses 14 - 15 . They had chosen foreign gods from foreign lands - so God is going to send them to these lands. Tthey have already gone there in their heart - so they could go there physically.
Our loving God cares about truth and justice - it is dangerous to live sinful lives in the presence of a holy God.
But did you see in the middle of all this? Chapter 5 verses 18 - 20 . There is a tiny ray of hope. There is a remnant. God always has a small group - it may be very small at times - but He always has a group.
I will punish - but I will not finish you off totally and completely.
Chapter 6 verse 26,27 . The preacher goes on to plead. God speaks to Jeremiah – “I have made you a tester - the Lord wanted to try to refine a few in the fires - this was the book which so influenced Daniel - and he had three young men who were influenced - Shadrach Meshach and Abednego - who were thrown into the fiery furnace.
The fire of the Word of The Lord sought to refine the city - but the people would not listen. The Church of the day loved it that way!
Refuse - and refuse - are the same word in both English and Hebrew. If we refuse, we become refuse. Throughout these verses there is this challenge to listen – to listen and hear what God is saying – to pay attention – to repent and so mean business with God.
“Almighty God – loving heavenly Father – there are times when Your Word is almost too hard and too challenging and too solemn – yet, that is because You love us and care for us and are concerned about us – and You remind us how You hate sin. Help us to appreciate and embrace the truths revealed in these verses – enable us to reach out to men and women who need to hear Your voice – we pray again in Jesus’ Name.” Amen.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Word from Scotland" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.