God gives Jeremiah another message for His people
» Listen to this message from the Lord – all of you!
» Even now, IF you quit your evil ways, I will let you stay in your own land (of
protection and blessing) MERCY
» Don’t be fooled by those who repeatedly promise your safety just because the temple
of the Lord is here (in Jerusalem) (A resemblance of Godliness won’t protect you.)
» I will be merciful ONLY if you STOP your wicked thoughts and deeds and treat others
right. You are hurting yourselves. Then, I will let you stay in this land that I gave to
your ancestors to keep forever (All that we have comes from the Lord.)
» Don’t think you can continue to steal, murder, commit adultery, lie and worship other
gods (in thought or deed) and then come to my house (church) thinking you are safe.
» I see the evil going on. (God knows all things and sees into the heart.)
» If you don’t believe me, go to Shiloh where the Tabernacle used to be. I destroyed it
because of the same wickedness of my people. They too did not listen to my warnings
and refused to answer me.
» I will destroy you just like I did them. I will send you into captivity (away from the
original plan of blessing I had for you).
God knows Jeremiah’s heart for the people and instructs him
» Don’t pray any more for these people (WOW!)
» Don’t cry for them any more.
» Don’t beg me to help them any more, for I will not listen to you.
» Don’t you see what they are doing? No wonder I am so angry! (God has set
us apart as His people and does not want us to tolerate sin in our hearts or around us.)
» Watch them as they go to great lengths to prepare offerings and sacrifices to other gods.
Am I the one they are hurting? Most of all, they hurt themselves to their own shame.
» In my sovereignty, I will pour out my terrible fury on this place. The people, animals,
trees, and crops will be consumed by the unquenchable fire of my anger. (Sin has far
reaching consequences!)
God gives Jeremiah another message for the people
» Away with your burnt offerings! Eat them yourselves. (It is useless to pretend to have
a desire to please God.)
» When I led your ancestors out of Egypt, I told them I didn’t want offerings and
sacrifices. I told them, “Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people.
Do as I say, and all will be well!” But, my people wouldn’t listen to me. They
continued doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil
hearts. They went backward instead of forward. (walking away from me instead of
drawing closer to me)
» I gave them many warnings, but they have not listened to me or even tried to hear.
(apathy towards God) They have been stubborn and sinful.
» Tell these people what I said, Jeremiah, but don’t expect them to listen. Shout your
warnings, but don’t expect them to respond. This is a group of people who will not
obey God, and they refuse to be taught. Truth has vanished from among them, it is no
longer heard on their lips. (They are completely deceived and blind to spiritual things.)
» Oh my people! Mourn and weep alone on the mountains, for the Lord has rejected and
forsaken this generation that has provoked my fury.
» These people have sinned before my eyes. They have defiled my temple. They sacrifice
even their little sons and daughters. (No regard for the consequences of sin.) I have
never commanded such a horrible deed; it never even crossed my mind. (They have
no understanding of the mind of God.)
» Beware! Many people will be slaughtered. My people will be food for the vultures.
» I will put an end to the happy singing and laughter. (The fun of sin is over!)
» The land will lie in complete desolation. (God, who is Holy, cannot tolerate sin.
He is just; therefore, His mercy has an end. He must punish sin.)
Next
Jeremiah 1-2
Jeremiah 3-4
Jeremiah 5
Jeremiah 6
Jeremiah 7
Jeremiah 8
Jeremiah 9
Jeremiah 10-11
Jeremiah 12-13
Jeremiah 14-15
Jeremiah 16-17
Jeremiah 18
