Jeremiah 12:1
Jeremiah's complaint to God is not an accusation, but a seeking of understanding and faith in God's righteousness and judgment.
Chuck Smith addresses the profound questions of faith in his sermon 'BUT, WHY GOD?' using Jeremiah 12:1 as a foundation. He explores Jeremiah's struggle with God's justice, emphasizing that while Jeremiah acknowledges God's righteousness, he grapples with the prosperity of the wicked and the delay of divine judgment. Smith highlights that God's response to Jeremiah is not an explanation but a call to strengthen his faith, reminding us that understanding may not always be granted, but trust in God's plan is essential. Ultimately, the sermon encourages believers to brace themselves for challenges and to rely on God's past victories as assurance for future trials.
Text
"BUT, WHY GOD?"
Intro: The men of Anathoth have threatened to kill Jeremiah if he prophesies any more. God
speaks to him of their pending judgment.
I. JEREMIAH'S FOUNDATION - "RIGHTEOUS ART THOU..."
A. He starts his complaint with this avowal.
1. Not accusing God.
2. Just questioning, seeking, understanding.
3. We often begin with accusations.
a. God, that isn't fair.
b. You have failed me, God.
B. I know You are righteous, Lord.
1. The problem is my understanding.
2. My belief in Him as righteous creates the problem.
a. If I did not believe in God, I would have no problem with this.
b. If I did not believe that God was righteous, I would say, "Oh well,
that's the way the cookie crumbles. God's done another one."
3. "I would like to talk to you about your judgments."
II. JEREMIAH'S CONFUSION - "THE CESSPOOL OF WHY".
A. Why do the wicked prosper?
1. Why is judgment so slow?
2. Why aren't they cut off immediately?
3. Because I am not long-suffering and patient, I wonder why God is.
4. Why does God allow them to prosper?
B. Why are treacherous people happy?
1. Why does God allow them laughter?
2. Why do sinners have fun?
3. Why is sin pleasurable?
4. If God would just make sin miserable, then no one would sin.
C. Jeremiah did not want their judgment later, he wanted it now.
1. "Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter."
2. How long?
3. Jeremiah wanted to see it now, for they said, you'll never see it.
Ill. JEHOVAH'S ANSWER TO JEREMIAH.
A. God sort of said, "Brace yourself, you ain't seen nothing yet, the worst is yet to
come."
1. "If you have run with the footmen, and become weary, how are you going to
race with horses?"
2. "If in the open country you have become tired, how are you going to run
through the reeds of Jordan?"
B. Note - He did not explain His actions to him.
1. God does not owe us any explanations.
2. For the most part, the "why's" of God always remain unexplained.
3. I want to understand God - He wants me to believe Him.
4. I want reasons - He wants faith.
C. God does not put us against the horses until he has trained us with the footmen.
D. The same God who brought me victory when I ran with the footmen will bring me
victory when I run with the horses.
Sermon Outline
- Jeremiah's Foundation points: - RIGHTEOUS ART THOU... - Not accusing God, but questioning and seeking understanding - Believing in God's righteousness creates the problem - Seeking to understand God's judgments
- Jeremiah's Confusion points: - Why do the wicked prosper? - Why is judgment so slow? - Why aren't they cut off immediately? - Why does God allow them to prosper?
- Why does God allow them laughter? points: - Why are treacherous people happy? - Why do sinners have fun? - Why is sin pleasurable?
- Wanting judgment now, not later points: - Jeremiah's desire for judgment - Wanting to see the wicked punished
- Jehovah's Answer to Jeremiah points: - The worst is yet to come - God does not owe us explanations - Faith is more important than understanding - God trains us for greater challenges
Key Quotes
“If you have run with the footmen, and become weary, how are you going to race with horses?” — Chuck Smith
“If in the open country you have become tired, how are you going to run through the reeds of Jordan?” — Chuck Smith
“God does not put us against the horses until he has trained us with the footmen.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Faith is more important than understanding God's ways.
- God wants us to trust in His goodness and righteousness, even when we don't understand His actions.
- We must be patient and trust in God's timing, rather than demanding immediate judgment.