Jeremiah 25
Bible Passage: Jeremiah 25
After weeks of reading praises and songs of joy, we come down to earth with our readings of Jeremiah once again.
The people of God were in big trouble.
But they did not seem to care. Neither did they seem to listen.
As I was reading this passage, I marveled at what Jeremiah said…
“… this is the twenty-third year in which the word of the Lord has come to me; and I have spoken to you, rising early and speaking, but you have not listened.”
~ Jeremiah 25:3
BUT YOU HAVE NOT LISTENED!
These words were repeated several times by Jeremiah in this chapter alone. And he has been telling them the same message for 23 years. And still the people did not listen.
We are quick to judge the people then …. how can they be so stiff necked? How can they be so hard? Why are they so cold to the words of God?
But are we any different from them?
Are we still committing the same sins after many many years? Are we still refusing to listen to the message that God has time and time again reminded us over the pulpit?
It is very easy for us to see the speck in the eyes of others and ignore the log in our own eyes.
But today’s passage serves us another reminder and warning…
“And at that day the slain of the Lord shall be from one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth. They shall not be lamented, or gathered, or buried; they shall become refuse on the ground. ”
~ Jeremiah 25:33
Our idea of God is one who is loving, caring and forgiving…. someone there to always help us when we need.
God can do that. God is that. But God is not just that.
Verse 33 reminds us that God is also Holy, Just, Powerful, Almighty, Fierce…
Chapter 25 starts as a proclamation against Judah because they refuse to repent and turn from their evil ways. Then the prophecy turns towards all nations where they will too be judged. This verse has obviously not happened yet, but shows what terrific power and anger the LORD has with all the wickedness of all the nations on earth.
We need to remember once again that God is a Holy and Just God. And He can be terrifying.
It is the fear of the LORD that is the beginning of wisdom.
We need to have this balanced view of the loving, forgiving God, and the Holy and powerful God, only then will we live the right way today.