In the midst of Jeremiah’s prophecy of judgment against Judah, the Lord revealed His purpose for disciplining them. Namely, it was so that they might “return” to Him with their “whole heart.” God desires whole hearted worship. And this requires a new heart that only God can give. His desire is that we know Him as the Lord. Ask the Lord to examine your heart today. Have you surrendered your “whole heart” to Him?
The destiny of those who reject a relationship with God and disobey the gospel was here given through the apostle Paul. He gave six words to describe Hell:
1) “Suffer” – it is a place of pain and suffering.
2) “Punishment” – it is a place of God’s fiery justice
3) “Eternal” – it is an everlasting condition
4) “Destruction” – not annihilation, but continual ruination
5) “Presence” – banished from God’s presence and blessing
6) “Glory” – banished from God’s beauty and sustaining power
Paul gave this horrific description of future suffering for those who were persecuting the believers in Thessalonica. He did this so believers wouldn’t focus on vengeance against their persecutors, but would instead focus on Christ. Seeing those who persecute our faith through the eyes of our Savior, we are able to pray, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
Jeremiah was given the difficult task of prophesying that Jerusalem would fall to the Chaldeans (Babylonians). They could not win a fight against the besieging army because God Himself had sent them as an instrument of His wrath. If they chose to stay and fight, they would die. But if they chose to surrender to the Chaldeans, they would live. Jeremiah boldly preached, describing the “way of life” and the “way of death” to them. Being called to preach against his own nation was a heavy burden for Jeremiah. Yet, a true prophet, a true preacher, must put God first above all worldly concerns. God calls His ambassadors to declare the “way of life” and to warn of the “way of death” without regard to political correctness and affiliation.
Self-promotion often leads to being humbled, while humility leaves room for another to praise you. The world urges us to climb the ladder of success, but the Lord Jesus descended to greatness. He climbed down the ladder of love, leaving behind his robes of majesty and taking on the form of man and humbled himself to death, even death on a cross (Phil. 2:6-8). Therefore, God exalted Jesus to the highest place (Phil 2:9-11). Follow Jesus. Stop edifying yourself and edify others instead. Humble yourself and let God lift you up.
Making disciples is a relational endeavor. The apostle Paul illustrated this by how he related to his flock in Thessalonica as a “father with his children.” Depending on the Spirit’s guidance, he used all manner of relational approaches according to their need. Some he “exhorted,” coming beside them to call them out for correction. Some he “encouraged,” using a personal touch to comfort and console those who were weak. Others he “charged,” reminding them of their identity in Christ and bearing witness to them of God’s upward calling. Making disciples is our calling too. Not in an institutional way, but life on life, like a mother or a father with their children.
God explained to Jeremiah that His judgment on Judah would grow still worse because they would not take to heart His warnings. They would not be able to rely on the land that flowed with milk and honey because they had made it “desolate,” so that the land itself mourned to God. National identity and self reliance would not save them from the storm. God was looking for heart change. I wonder. After the desolation in the wake of Hurricane Matthew, will there be any heart change in our land?
Live with godly wisdom toward those who are outside the faith. Let them see Christ in you. Remember that you were once an “outsider” too, but Christ has brought you near. Be alert for the opportune time to share your faith in Christ with them. There are two Greek words in the Bible for time. One is “chronos,” which refers to chronological or sequential time. The other, which is the word found in our verse today, is “kairos,” which refers to a right moment when things come to a head, an opportune or suitable time. So, live wisely with unbelievers, looking for the “kairos” moment to join God in His redemptive work.
Human wisdom, strength and riches are the criteria by which we judge success, they are the attributes we boast of and depend upon. Indeed, it is these three that shape societal pecking order. Yet, God warned that such fleshly boasts would not save Israel from the coming judgment. The three gods of human accomplishment would fail them. The most valuable boast (if one is to boast) is that we “understand and know” the Lord. This is the “boast” that saves. It is the currency that gives both entrance and status within the new and coming kingdom of heaven. For true and lasting wisdom, strength and riches are found in knowing God through Jesus Christ, His Son (Eph. 1:15-23). Let the one who boasts boast in Christ!
The Psalmist called his generation not to neglect telling the next generation of the “glorious deeds of the Lord.” Certainly, this call is in obedience to God’s Word, which commanded parents to teach their children of Him (Deut. 6:7). Yet, I am convinced that we must also tell them not only what God has done in the past, but also what He has done in our own lives in the present. Tell your children the whole of God’s Word and especially do not “hide” the part of how Jesus Christ saved a sinner like you.
Jeremiah’s prophecy of God’s coming judgment on Judah even included charges against those who should have joined him in warning their people. It’s a sad state of affairs when the prophets and priests who claim to represent God “deal falsely,” filling their congregant’s ears with lies of peace when war is at their gates. Better to hear bad news from one’s physician and be able to get help, than to hear lies and be left dying with a false prognosis. In the same way, it’s better to follow a pastor who preaches God’s Word without apology, than one who offers human platitudes to tickle the ears.