059. VI. Reiterated Messages Of Warning And Exhortation
VI REITERATED MESSAGES OF WARNING AND EXHORTATION 1. Dialogue between the Prophet and Jehovah (Jeremiah 14, 15) A drought the occasion of the prophecy (Jeremiah 14:2-6). The people of Judah break forth into universal lamentation. Wails of anguish rise from every lip. The nobles, as well as the poor, suffer from thirst, for all the customary supplies of water are exhausted. So parched is the ground that the work of the husbandman is fruitless. The beasts of the field, overcome by hunger and consuming thirst, forget their natural instincts. All nature seems to gasp for breath.
Prophet’s prayer for mercy and deliverance (Jeremiah 14:7-9). This calamity is deserved, O Lord. We cannot urge our deserts, but can only appeal to thy merciful character, as we cry to thee for deliverance. Many are our sins against thee, and thou alone art our Saviour in a time of distress like the present. Why art thou silent, O Jehovah, as one who is indifferent or powerless, while we are thus grievously affected? We know that thou art ever present. Sinful though we are, we are thy people. Save us, gracious Lord, for grim death stares us in the face, if thou avert not this terrible drought
Jehovah’s refusal (Jeremiah 14:10-12). Then answered the just Ruler of the universe: “Too long and too persistently have this people followed their own rebellious, base inclinations, to be lightly exculpated from the effects of their crimes. Crave not pardon for them. Their fasting and offerings will not win my favor, for their deeds call for judgment. War, famine, and pestilence shall execute it.”
Prophet’s excuses (Jeremiah 14:13). Thy words, alas! are true, O Lord; but consider how this people have been misled by the false prophets, who have declared in thy name that war and plagues would not, could not come, thus, by vain promises of peace, luring the ignorant masses on to their destruction.
Jehovah’s reply: “Prophets and people must suffer” (Jeremiah 14:14-17). Again came Jehovah’s response: “Without commission from me have the false prophets spoken. Deceptive is their message. By the sword and by famine, which they declare will never come, shall these traitors to God and the community die; unburied shall their bodies lie beside those of their wives and children, the victims of their protector’s perfidy. Well, O true prophet, do you weep day and night over the irremediable corruption which is destroying your nation.”
Prophet’s renewed petition (Jeremiah 14:18-22). In imagination I behold the carnage of war and the victims of famine; but wilt thou, merciful Jehovah, give us over to complete destruction? In the name of my people, I beseech thee to consider how cruelly we have been deceived by our lying prophets. Miserable sinners though we are, in thy mercy reject us not. Although we have broken our part of the covenant with thee, for thine own honor among the nations redeem thy promises to us thy people. Thou art the Creator and the Ruler of the universe. All things are possible with thee, and to thee we look for pardon and for deliverance.
Jehovah’s reply: “No more mercy” (Jeremiah 15:1-9;Jeremiah 15:12-14). To my earnest cry Jehovah answered: “Though my holiest prophets of old were present to join their petitions with yours, it would be in vain. I cannot deliver this wicked, rebellious people. Already their judgment is decided. Death, war, famine, and captivity shall each claim their victim. The scars left on the character of the nation by the idolatrous practices introduced by Manasseh are too deep to be effaced. Fruitless have been the methods of discipline whereby I have sought to reclaim my people. Their stalwart husbands and sons have been mown down before the foreign conqueror, and yet those who survive have not profited by the warning. Therefore they must all share a like fate. Let them not delude themselves with the hope that the might of the irresistible Chaldeans can be broken.[68] I have already given my people over into the hand of their foes, whom they will serve in the land of captivity.”
Prophet’s personal complaint (Jeremiah 15:10). Alas that I was ever born! for it is my fate constantly to kindle opposition. I have wronged no man, and yet I am the object of universal hatred and attack.
Jehovah’s assurance (Jeremiah 15:11). Then to my heart came Jehovah’s message of comfort: “Be not discouraged, for I will uphold and vindicate you. The time will soon come when those who now attack you will eagerly solicit your intercessions.”
Prophet’s further complaint (Jeremiah 15:15-18). O Lord, thou knowest how I am wronged, and how doubts all but overcome me. Forget not thy servant, who for thee has suffered unjust calumnies. Take vengeance upon my persecutors. Gladly I received thy revelations, and consecrated myself to thy service. Recognizing the solemnity of the commission which thou gavest me, I have avoided all scenes of festivity. Thy message of judgment has completely filled my heart and dominated my life. Why hast thou not vindicated me? After all thy assurances, wilt thou leave me to be the object of my enemies’ derision?
Jehovah’s further assurance (Jeremiah 15:19-21). To my cry of despair Jehovah replied: “If you will dismiss your doubts and overcome your human weakness, you shall continue to be my ambassador, speaking to your nation with full authority from me. In time they will believe your words. Do not pervert the truth that you may thereby win popular favor. I will give you strength to endure all their hostile assaults, and I will deliver and gloriously vindicate you, if you prove faithful.”
2. Extracts from Prophecies Announcing Impending Judgment (Jeremiah 16:1 to Jeremiah 17:13)
Prophet’s life a constant sermon (Jeremiah 16:1-9). Do you sometimes wonder, O Judeans, why, contrary to our customs, I live alone, without the consolations of wife and children? It is in accord with Jehovah’s will, for any children whom I might beget would only grow up to experience the horrors of war, famine, and captivity, which shall overtake all the inhabitants of this accursed land. That I may still further impress by my daily life the message which is constantly on my lips, I never share in the universal custom of mourning with the friends of the dead, for it is unseemly that I, his prophet, should manifest a pity for you, his defiant, condemned people, which Jehovah himself does not feel. Soon a disaster shall overtake you that shall be so overpowering that, in your dumb anguish, no one shall think of lamentation or of consolation. In accordance with the same divine prompting, I never indulge in joyful merry-making, for it ill befits Jehovah’s prophet to join with you as you dance on the edge of a chasm which will speedily engulf you, destroying all sources of mirth and rejoicing.
Causes of the coming calamity (Jeremiah 16:10-13). Anticipating your queries as to why Jehovah has determined thus to destroy you, he has commissioned me in his name to declare that it is because of your apostasy. Stubbornly you have refused to obey his law, while with all your hearts you pay homage to gods other than the true one. Ample opportunity will be given you zealously to serve these heathen deities in the lands of exile. Expect, however, no mercy from Jehovah.
Exile inevitable (Jeremiah 16:14-18). [The future is not entirely hopeless, for, though exile is surely coming, he purposes ultimately to bring the scattered Israelites back to the land of Canaan, and, in so doing, to accomplish a work which will completely eclipse the famous deliverance from Egypt.]
All nations ultimately to recognize Jehovah (Jeremiah 16:19-21). Jehovah will, for the present, give up his people as a prey to pitiless foes, who will unsparingly wreak upon them the vengeance which they so richly merit Many are the perils and pains of the present, yet thou, O Lord, dost deliver me, for I put my trust in thee. Even so, when their mistaken superstitions, inherited from the past, are dispelled, heathen peoples from distant parts of the earth shall turn unto thee with reverence and faith. At last the scales shall fall from their eyes, and they shall realize the folly of worshiping as deities creations of their hands. Then wilt thou reveal to them thy omnipotent power, and they shall appreciate thy true character. The penalty of sin (Jeremiah 17:1-4). Alas! the crimes of the people of Judah have left an indelible impression upon the national character. All their inherited tendencies are toward idolatry. The Omnipotent himself is powerless to turn them from their wicked course. He can only destroy. Hence he announces his determination to deliver his beloved city and people to the ravages and violence of the foreign conqueror. The one source of escape (Jeremiah 17:5-13). If you would escape the impending calamity, give heed to the principles which regulate Jehovah’s universe. Doomed to destruction is he who looks to finite man for defense, and who ignores the power divine. Barren and joyless shall be his life. But he who puts his confidence in God shall prosper, and be unaffected when danger and disaster approach. It is indeed strange that all do not perceive and profit by these truths; but the natural tendencies of mankind are perverse. They may deceive each other, but not Jehovah, who sees everything in the human heart, and rewards accordingly. How vain and foolish, therefore, is the conduct of those who amass great fortunes by false means, thinking in their ignorance that they will profit thereby! Thou, O Jehovah, art the true glory and hope of thy people. Disgrace and oblivion shall be the fate of all who forsake thee, the source of life, peace, and joy.