047. III. Reform Sermons
III
REFORM SERMONS 1. The Story of Judah, the Unrepentant Prodigal (Jeremiah 2:1 to Jeremiah 3:5) The innocency of the earlier days (Jeremiah 2:1-3). Jehovah commanded me to go, and in his name remind the men of Jerusalem of the innocency which characterized the earlier days of their nation’s history, and which the eternal heart of love holds in such fond remembrance. Then the bond of mutual affection between him and the people whom he set aside as sacred to himself was unbroken. Woe to the nation which then presumed to wrong his chosen ones!
Subsequent infidelity (Jeremiah 2:4-13). Listen, O Hebrew race, to the charge which Jehovah brings against your fathers. Following their own wicked inclinations, they soon forgot all his tender care for them. This fruitful land, which he gave them as a heritage, they proceeded forthwith to pollute. The priests, whose duty it was to instruct the people in the law of Jehovah, have questioned his very existence; the rulers, whose duty it was to lead the people, have dishonored him; the prophets, whose duty it was to proclaim his will, have spoken in the name of Baal. The entire heathen world does not present such a strange anomaly. Though their deities are vain creations, no pagan peoples have exchanged their gods for those of their neighbors. Let heaven and earth behold with wonder and with horror. This people have forsaken Jehovah, the source of all life, and have placed their trust in idols, the worthless works of men’s hands! The punishment well merited (Jeremiah 2:14-17). Was it because Israel, like a slave, was subject to the caprices of his master that his land has been wasted by foreign conquerors, and his cities burned and left uninhabited? You all know the real reason. The Egyptians shall likewise devour your strength, O Judeans, for you have deserted Jehovah, and these shall be the consequences.
Judah’s political and religious crimes (Jeremiah 2:18-28). Why have you sought entangling alliances, first with Egypt and then with her foe, Assyria, irreverently turning your backs upon Jehovah, who is your true protector? He declares: “From your earliest days you have broken my commandments, and have refused allegiance to me, preferring the vile service of the gods of your heathen neighbors. The fault is not mine; for I created you perfect, and established you in this land. Whence this sad perversion of your character? The moral stain is too deep to be removed by external cleansing. It is folly for you to say that you are sinless. Degenerate are all your tendencies. Like a beast, your animal passions rule you, leading you into gross idolatry. Rulers, priests, prophets, and people, have, in secret at least, descended to fetish worship. As among the heathen, each city has its patron god. In the time of danger and distress, they shall be cruelly deceived who trust in these creations of their own hands. Their hypocrisy (Jeremiah 2:29-37). “Having sinned so deeply, do you dare plead your case against me? All my efforts to discipline and instruct you have met with contempt. The prophets whom I sent to teach you have fallen victims to your sword. And yet, have I ever neglected my people Israel? You are the ones who have forgotten me through these long years, devoting yourselves to idolatrous exercises, sucking out the blood of the innocent Most hateful of all is the self-complacency with which you assert that you have done no wrong. I, Jehovah, will reveal your perfidy. The new alliance with Egypt will bring to you only disaster.
Empty words insufficient to secure pardon (Jeremiah 3:1-5). “How contrary to instruction and the commands of the law it is for a man to take back a divorced wife; and yet you think that you can forsake me, and indulge in all the lewd rites connected with the worship of idols, and then return to me guiltless. In vain do you cry, ‘My father,’ trusting that because of the kindness which I showed you in your youth, and because of my compassion, I will forgive you, even though your wicked deeds give the lie to your professions.”
2. Promises to Israel and Judah, if they will Repent (Jeremiah 3:6 to Jeremiah 4:2)
Judah the more culpable (Jeremiah 3:6-11). On another occasion, during the reign of Josiah, Jehovah gave me this message: “Thou hast seen the apostasy of the northern kingdom, and how it has failed to learn the lesson of repentance. Judah’s treachery, however, is more unpardonable than Israel’s apostasy, for the men of the south were warned by the terrible fate which overtook the northern kingdom, and yet, while they hypocritically profess to be contrite, they persistently go on sinning.
Pardon and restoration for Israel (Jeremiah 3:12-15) “O northerners, when once you acknowledge the error of your ways, I will forgive your sins; and, again accepted as my covenant people, I will bring you back to Jerusalem. I will also set over you righteous rulers and teachers to guide and instruct you.
Extension of the old covenant (Jeremiah 3:16-18). “When the numbers of the faithful remnant of the Hebrew race have increased, the narrow limitations of the old covenant, which was symbolized by the ark, will be broken down, and the ancient forms of worship will be abandoned; for then Jehovah will no longer be conceived of as dwelling in one especial place. Jerusalem shall be the center of his world-wide rule, which shall be joyfully recognized by all peoples. No longer shall men oppose their own stubborn wills to that of the Eternal. [Then shall the Judeans, who are soon to be scattered, be gathered from the lands of their captivity to inhabit and enjoy this fair portion of the earth which was assigned to their ancestors.]
True contrition, the one and absolute condition (Jeremiah 3:19-25). “Thus it is my purpose not only to give you a princely heritage, O Israelites, among the people of the earth, but also to adopt you as my own. Alas! O nation Israel, how your apostasy is defeating my gracious intentions! Yet, the moment you truly repent, I will remove all traces of your sins. Approach me with the genuine prayer of contrition, saying: ‘We come unto thee, who art the true, the only God. The heathen deities whom we have worshiped are a delusion. Thou art indeed the saviour of our nation. Grossly have we and our fathers sinned against thee in devoting our best gifts to base idols, disobeying thy gracious commands. In shame we hide our faces.’ The fruits of contrition (Jeremiah 4:1-2). “If thus, O Israel, you will confess your sins, confirming your words by your deeds, then shall the heathen world beholding such loyalty be speedily attracted to Jehovah, and with you enjoy his rich blessings.”
3. The Judgment Approaching from the North (Jeremiah 4:3 to Jeremiah 6:30)
Repent while there is time (Jeremiah 4:3-4). Give heed, O Judeans, to Jehovah’s words of warning: “Overcome your evil tendencies, and open your hearts to my transforming influences, lest I bring upon you that overwhelming destruction which you so richly merit.” The approach of the foe (Jeremiah 4:5-18). Spread the alarm! The dread foe, who is to execute Jehovah’s judgment, is already at hand. Flee, O Judah, to your walled cities. Like a fierce lion this destroyer of nations is rapidly advancing to devastate your lands. Lament, for no mercy will be shown. Surprise and horror because of the magnitude of the calamity which threatens shall overwhelm all classes. Yet there is no mistake on the part of Jehovah. Your deeds have called down this fate upon you. Repent, do right, and the catastrophe may yet be averted.
Destruction, overwhelming, well-merited, and unavoidable (Jeremiah 4:19-31). As the prophet of the people, I am overcome with terror and grief, so sudden and horrible is the disaster which impends. Yet I cannot intercede for them, since it is due to their folly. All nature is affected by the fearful judgment. It is Jehovah’s purpose, by the hands of these pitiless foes, to render the land a barren waste, although he will spare a few. Vain shall be the measures by which the people will seek to deliver themselves. Amidst unutterable woes, shall proud Jerusalem fall before the murderous invaders. The universal corruption of Jerusalem precludes pardon (Jeremiah 5:1-9). If a righteous man could be found in this wicked city, Jehovah would gladly spare it; but so vitiated is the atmosphere that all are affected by the prevailing hypocrisy and impiety. The leaders are as corrupt as the misguided masses. In view of their black record in the past, and their present disobedient attitude, Jehovah can do nothing else than give over his careless, adulterous people as a prey to these hunters of men. The command to destroy the guilty people (Jeremiah 5:10-19). Advance, therefore, destroyers. Northern Israel and Judah alike have spurned Jehovah, and laughed to scorn his prophets who warned them of coming retribution. The Lord will confirm the words of his messengers; but woe to those who doubt. The instrument with which he will execute vengeance is a powerful ancient nation, courageous, bloodthirsty, and speaking a foreign tongue. Like a locust scourge, these insatiable invaders will destroy everything before them. Only a remnant of Jehovah’s people will survive to taste the bitterness of slavery in a foreign land. The persistent wickedness of the people and of their leaders (Jeremiah 5:20-31). Can you not see and appreciate the danger which impends? Do you feel no awe in the presence of Jehovah, who rules supreme in the natural world? Alas! there is no reverence in their hearts. Sin has blinded their eyes. They are so intent upon defrauding their fellows that they disregard their duties both to God and to their neighbors. Superlative impiety! The prophets in the name of Jehovah tell lies, and abet the priests in their unjust practices, while the masses rejoice in such leaders as these.
It will soon be too late for deliverance (Jeremiah 6:1-8). Sound the alarm throughout the whole land. Jerusalem’s fate is sealed. The hills upon which the city is built shall again be uninhabited; the quiet resort of shepherds, as in the days before it was built. Already the besiegers are completing their plans for the capture of the wicked condemned capital. Will you not avail yourselves, O Jerusalemites, of an opportunity to save by repentance your homes from bitter desolation?
Only retribution awaiting this defiant, misled people (Jeremiah 6:9-21). Let the work of destruction begin at once, and be complete. They heed not. The message of the true prophet has become odious to them. Their contemptuous attitude toward truth arouses only righteous indignation. There is no hope, for greed rules them all. The official priests and prophets teach falsely. Instead of boldly pointing out the guilt which is proving the nation’s ruin, they have lulled the people into their present fatal indifference by saying, “All is well,” while, in fact, nothing is well. For their perfidy they feel no compunctions. Therefore they shall share a like fate with their victims, the masses. In vain has Jehovah pointed out clearly, by the mouths of his true prophets, the cause which he wishes his people to follow, and which alone can bring them to peace; but they have defiantly refused to listen. After such conduct, let them not think that his favor can be purchased with rich oblations and sacrifices. The approaching invader (Jeremiah 6:22-26). I assure you in the name of Jehovah that a great nation is sweeping down upon you from the distant north. A cruel, merciless host are they, all-engulfing and as irresistible as the surging sea. Already a rumor respecting them has reached your ears and chilled your hearts. You would do well bitterly to lament, because of the terrible flood of invasion which may burst upon you at any moment. The nation incapable of moral elevation (Jeremiah 6:27-30). Jehovah has commissioned me to test the character of this nation, and I have found it completely wanting. All are rebellious in their attitude toward Jehovah, and deceitful in their relations with each other. It is useless to attempt to eliminate the evil elements from the good, for they are indissolubly united. The result is that the whole nation is worthless, and has already been rejected by Jehovah.
4. Enforcing the Nation’s Covenant with Jehovah (Jeremiah 11:1-8)
Jeremiah as an apostle of the covenant (Jeremiah 11:1-8). The aim of my earlier sermons was partially realized. In the face of impending calamity, the people, outwardly at least, turned to Jehovah, and listened to the injunctions of his faithful priests and prophets. The new lawbook, distinctly defining the duties and obligations of the prophet of Jehovah, was brought forth from the temple, publicly read, solemnly accepted by the assembled Judeans, and promulgated as a law. At that time Jehovah prompted me to remind the people of that sacred covenant, from the earliest times the basis of the peculiar relation between him and their race, and to enjoin upon them, under penalty, carefully to heed its every injunction. To the divine command I was responsive, and went forth on a preaching tour through the cities of Judah, and especially in the streets of Jerusalem, to explain and enforce the terms of the old covenant made with our forefathers when they came from Egypt. In my teaching I pointed out how they, alas! disregarded Jehovah’s earnest exhortations to obedience, although it was the supreme duty and privilege of the later and more enlightened generation to avoid the grave mistakes of the past, and to enjoy to the full the blessings attendant upon doing his will.