056. III. Messages Of Denunciation And Warning
III MESSAGES OF DENUNCIATION AND WARNING 1. Indifference in the Face of Certain Judgment (Jeremiah 8:4 to Jeremiah 9:22)
Moral insensibility of the nation (Jeremiah 8:4-12). When a man falls down, his first effort is to get on his feet again. This people are in the depths of moral degradation, and yet, instead of attempting to rise, they only endeavor to deceive themselves into believing that they have not fallen. No one of them thinks of repenting, and of admitting that he has broken God’s laws. Instead, they pervert their divinely given instincts, and set up their own wisdom as final, while their scribes deliberately falsify the written law, so that it conceals rather than reveals Jehovah’s will. Priest and prophet unite in so misleading the people that they are incapable of distinguishing between the words of the true and those of the false prophets. With their perverted law and messages, the leaders have lulled themselves as well as the nation into a fatal sense of security, so that they unblushingly commit the grossest crimes. A dread awakening awaits them (Jeremiah 8:13-17). Since there is no hope of reforming, Jehovah can do nothing else than destroy these wicked servants, root and branch. When they hear the roar of the mighty foe advancing from the north, their false sense of security will be changed to terror and despair. Then Jehovah will spare not, but will complete the judgment.
Lament of the prophet over the fallen nation (Jeremiah 8:18toJeremiah 9:6). As I behold the dread fate awaiting my country, I am overwhelmed with sadness. I can picture the doubts and the remorse which will then take possession of all hearts. When it is too late, they will bitterly regret the supreme opportunities which they are now spurning. Is there no way of saving this nation at once from its sins before it is forever too late? Anguish inexpressible fills my heart because of the sickening tragedy which I am forced to witness. Gladly would I endure the privations of desert life, if I could escape the sight of the crimes which are daily enacted in every part of the land. When my countrymen open their mouths it is to utter lies; they are adept only in deceiving; their entire energy is devoted to doing iniquity, so that they find no time to think of God and of truth. The impending doom a cause for general wailing (Jeremiah 9:7-22). Such shocking degeneracy can only be remedied by the most drastic measures. Jehovah will send invasion, drought, desolation, and exile to accomplish the work of purification. Soon these woes will descend upon your land, and then in the presence of disaster and death you will all join me in bitterest lamentation.
2. The Proper Attitude in the Face of the Great Danger (Jeremiah 10:17-25)
Prepare for exile (Jeremiah 10:17-22). Hold yourselves in readiness to leave, as captives, this city which you regard as impregnable. In imagination I can hear the piteous wails which you will utter when the calamity overtakes you, and the bitter reproaches you will heap upon your impious, incompetent rulers, because they have betrayed you. Already the dread news comes from the north that the foe is advancing, carrying desolation in his track.
Prayer in behalf of the people (Jeremiah 10:23-25). In the presence of such a danger, let this be your prayer: “Thou, O Lord, art infinite, and we are helpless in thy hands. Discipline us as thou seest best, but restrain thy anger, lest we be completely consumed. Rather visit thy fury upon the heathen who defy thee, and seek to destroy us, thy people.”