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Text: Jeremiah ● Although the ‘times’ are unique, the context in which Jeremiah lived was not so different from our own. There are some basic aspects interwoven throughout the story: 1) historically, God has been incredibly consistent and patient; 2) humanity has habitually ‘ignored God’ and, at times, almost defiantly rejected God; 3) God longs for ‘repentance’ (a change of heart) so that humanity might realize a better future, but he will not violate their freedom… even the freedom to self-destruct! ● Surprisingly, the message was not directed at Israel’s oppressors but at God’s own people. God had chosen them, given them a unique identity as his people, had made a personal commitment to them (form of covenant), but they had persistently proven to be a people bent on life on their own terms. ● Jeremiah had persistently warned them that their identity as God’s people did not insulate them from his judgment (determinations) given their rebellious tendencies and failure to live as his people. Understand that most often God’s judgments are not specific punishments he inflicts upon us, but simply the inevitable consequences of our own foolish choices (Romans 1 “… abandoned them to do what their hearts desired…” ). But, he will get their attention; he will confront them with the reality of their situation and the futility of the self-governed, self-directed life. ● His appeal was to a people not yet convinced that the picture was quite as dismal as Jeremiah would have painted it; a people whose sensibilities had become so ‘dull’ that they were oblivious to their condition and the certain consequences they would face [like the parent watching the child chasing the ball toward the street]. ● He actually accuses the people of ‘provoking God’ (32:30): God, slow to anger and abounding in love, being persistently chided until, apparently, his people have demonstrated no inclination toward repentance. ● Jeremiah proved right and the nation and city of Jerusalem was devastated by the Babylonians around They would level the Temple and obliterate the nation. ● Their present reality? Exile. --- People find themselves in unfamiliar cultures; with unfamiliar (foreign) practices and systems of belief. At first, there is some form of ‘defiant resistance’ (a railing against the prevailing culture--- who was to blame for their circumstances, anyway) which eventually, and rather subtly, becomes a more ‘passive compliance’. --- People begin to lose their sense of identity; they forget who they are (because who you are is so shaped by where you are, what you do and who you are with). They tend to determine that, by comparison, these people are doing pretty well without God. ● In such contexts, one of two things is inevitable: either a people’s uniqueness becomes even more glaring (in which we would say they ‘shine as lights’), or, a people’s identity is absorbed into the prevailing culture; instead of ‘identifying with’ the culture (in such a way as to be incarnational and restorative), they are ‘identified by’ the culture. ● All I am asking of you today is that you would have the courage to live the ‘self-examined’ life. And, if the depth of complacency and indifference is preventing you from perceiving it on your own, that you would invite the Holy Spirit to examine your heart (Psalm 139). Jeremiah 11:24
“So correct me Lord, but
please be gentle”. |
