I’ve been reading in Jeremiah recently. Some may feel it’s a depressing read. Of course, with all the weeping, I’m tempted to feel that way myself. But in the broader picture, it’s a great spot to build your knowledge of God. One point of interest for me is the way God is refusing to relent (ch. 15), despite Jeremiah’s desperate and humble pleas. The God whose mercy is everlasting, has determined “enough is enough.” I’m interested to see how that plays out in the rest of the book (I’m only to chapter 15). I know that God’s mercy is upheld in Christ, so that’s relieving.
What really stood out to me, though, in these last couple of chapters (14-15) is the contrast between the lying prophets and Jeremiah, a truthful mouthpiece of God. I felt there were some great parallels for our day and God’s mission given to me.
Prosperity
To quickly rehearse, Jeremiah complains of the false prophets that were preaching a message of prosperity. They said, “No, you won’t be overtaken by enemy nations. Are you kidding? We aren’t going to have famine. Our God is a God of love. He wouldn’t do that” (ok, so I added a few things). Here’s God’s evaluation of these lying prosperity speakers,
“The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds.”
(Je 14:14 – my emphasis)
These spoke what the people wanted to hear. They did not want someone to tell them they would have to pay the consequences for their breaking God’s law. These “prophets” evidently convinced themselves in “their own minds” that peace was always God’s will .
So, what is their lot? The Lord pronounces through Jeremiah that these along with their audience will, in fact, meet their doom by the very judgments they deny – sword and famine.
Persecution
Jeremiah on the other hand was faithful to speak for God, though it brought much grief and even persecution to him. Still he found faithfulness to God to be bitter sweet. In 15:15 and following, Jeremiah, in his suffering brought on by his faithfulness to God, cries out to God. He cries for justice against his persecutors. He pleads, “Know that for your sake I bear reproach.” Yet, he finds that God’s words were a joy and a delight to him, because “I am called by your name.”
What does Jeremiah have to look forward to? You might say, “How can you live like that?” Jeremiah was motivated by the eternal. While the false prophets were bound for destruction, Jeremiah was bound for redemption. No, his road would not be easy from here on out, but God promised, “I am with you, to save you and deliver you” (15:20).
No Room for Men-pleasers
What do I take from that? Stop trying to please those around you by speaking “truth” in a way that is acceptable. Speak of sin. Tell people that they, along with you, have broken God’s law. This requires punishment. God does and will continue to demand justice for sinners in Hell. Yet, he offers forgiveness through His perfect Son, Jesus Christ, who satisfied God’s just wrath when he died on the cross. Our message? “Repent or you will perish!”
