Jeremiah – The Message and Messenger

 

 2 Peter 3:2:
You should remember the words spoken by the holy prophets
and the commandments of the Lord and Savior spoken by
the apostles.

Chapters 1-9

Jeremiah holds a special place in my husband Alan’s heart and mine. He was one who was willing to stand alone for God as the rest of God’s people went after the world and the things of the world. Jeremiah gave a message that no one would heed; yet, God told him to declare it. Why? Because of God’s unconditional love for all. His message still had to be proclaimed even when none chose to listen. The people of God still worshipped at the temple and had an appearance of godliness, but also followed after the surrounding cultures choosing not to be a peculiar, different people. They wanted to be styling with the surrounding nations.

God raised Jeremiah to this calling because he truly loved and cared for his fellow Jews, God’s chosen race. Jeremiah is referred to as the weeping prophet, because his heart held the love that God held for His people who had gone their own way. He wept because God’s beloved had caved into the glorification of the sensual. I behold in Jeremiah and throughout God’s Word that the LORD’S people become half-hearted when they cave into the gratification of the senses.

Background:

Jeremiah was written as a book of warning of God’s approaching doom on a sinful and rebellious nation that preferred to do what was right in its own eyes.

The northern kingdom of Israel, consisting of the ten tribes, had previously been removed as captives of Assyria, 136 years prior. The Benjamin area, where the temple is, and the area of Judah are all that remains of Israel during Jeremiah’s time, this being the southern kingdom of Israel. If you turn to your map area at the back of a study Bible, you will see how the land was divided amongst the 12 tribes. The land was divided according to these tribes when the people entered the land under Joshua.

None of the kings of the northern kingdom where of the line of King David, only the southern kingdom held to his genealogy. The kingdom split after Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, took the throne in 930 B.C. Rehoboam was very wicked and the Jews rebelled resulting in the northern tribes choosing Jeroboam for their king. He had served under Solomon over the forced labor. He too was extremely evil.

Jeremiah’s ministry was approximately from 627-586 B.C. during the periods of Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah who reigned as kings. Josiah reigned 33 years, doing right in the sight of the Lord. Josiah was exceptionally godly, yet his sons were ungodly and three of them ruled as kings over Judah. Jehoahaz, the first of Josiah’s sons to rule was evil and reigned only three months and was taken captive by Pharaoh Necco of Egypt and he expired in Egypt. Jehoiakim, his eldest son was evil and reigned 11 years. During his reign, Judah began to be confronted by the kingdom of Babylon and Egypt also caused them distress. Jehoachin, son of Jehoiakin was the last king to reign within the direct line of Christ, before captivity. The next king to rule in the Davidic line will be Christ! It was during Jehoachin’s reign that the southern kingdom was taken captive.

Zedekiah, Jehoachin’s uncle, and youngest son of Josiah, was a puppet king of King Nebuchadnezzar. He rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar and was also taken captive with the last of the captives. There were actually three captivities under King Nebuchadnezzar. The first one took place when Daniel and others were removed to Babylon; Daniel chapter 1. The main one was under King Jehoachin and the last one was under King Zedekiah with the remaining Jews. This last captivity ensued the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem.

The prophet Zephaniah proceeded Jeremiah and Habakkuk was Jeremiah’s contemporary.

Chapter One:

Jeremiah was destined to be a priest as his father held this office, as we see in verse one. God called him from this entitlement to be His prophet just as He did John the baptizer in the New Testament. This all took place under King Josiah, who was a king who brought revival to the land.

As we move into verse 4, we recognize God’s special calling of Jeremiah, being called before he was born as God’s prophet to the nations, not just Judah, though Judah was the main nation he addressed. Those who have given their lives to Christ have also been called to His adoption as His spokespeople, before the foundation of the world as we see in Ephesians 4:4-5, which God performed through the kind intention of His will. Many other portions of scripture speak of our unique position in Christ through His calling and choosing us by His loving grace.

Jeremiah responds to God’s calling as Moses did, declaring he cannot speak. Jeremiah also replies to God out of concern for his young age. As God reassured Moses so He does Jeremiah as His deliverer or savior, or his yasha in Hebrew.

God informs Jeremiah in verse 8, that he is not to fear those who do not want to hear the truth of God’s Holy Word, much of which the Jews felt they could ignore. They were going to be cruel to Jeremiah for his unbending stances that would never compromise with society.

Verse 9 is a personal prayer of mine, for God to put His words in my mouth as Val Lee’s words are meaningless unless they are in line with the Word of God. Moreover I pray for His thoughts to be my thoughts as Jeremiah certainly walked in the mindset that stood in line with God’s Holy Scriptures.

Jeremiah in verse 10 was to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and overthrow, that would be all false teachings contrary to God’s Word as the Jews were compromising with the surrounding societies. Also to build and to plant and Jeremiah still does this today in our beings as he bears the truth of God that plants good seed in our hearts and minds.

As we move into verse 11, we come to where God moves into judgment concerning Judah or the southern kingdom. Jeremiah refers to a rod from an almond tree and a boiling pot, both represent the negative. A rod is to be applied as discipline to strike with and the boiling pot to consume in great and terrifying wrath as God was to discipline His rebellious children. When God refers to the north, He is referring to Babylon and them moving downward toward Judah in fighting array and force. This will engulf all the inhabitants of the land, not just some, verse 14.

Pious Judah, will be judged by the godless Gentiles as we see in verse 15. This would be very humiliating for self-righteous Judah who views the other nations as consisting of godless dogs. We see this is the judgment for worshipping false gods, the work of their own hands.

Here are a few of the false god’s that Israel worshipped:

Baal was the most noted false god of this time. Baal means master or lord. He was also designated as “the son of Dagon.” (Dagon was the god of the early Philistines. If you remember in 1 Samuel chapter five, the Philistines stole the ark of God. They placed the ark next to their god Dagon; subsequently this false god fell on its face before the ark of God which brings a big smile to our faces. The Philistines were avenged with tumors as God hand was set against them. They were so plagued that they did all in their power to return the ark to the land of Israel. They truly experienced the chastening hand of God for their disrespect of the Creator of all.)

Baal was the storm god and when people heard thunder they believed they were hearing Baal. They believed Baal determined the fate of their crops. They worshipped him in temples and outdoors in fields and on the hilltops referred to as “high places” as we see in scripture. These high places held chambers for male and female prostitution.

To quote Unger “Baal worship always had a subtle attraction for the austere Hebrews bound to serve a holy God under a rigorous moral code.” Of course, there is nothing new under the sun and today many believers go the way of the world to escape the righteous Word that commands holy living and not license. Baal-ism was attractive to the Jews as it presented a life of licentiousness or license.

Molech represents the essence of evil and he is mentioned in Jeremiah 32:35. Molech accepts the sacrifice of children and Jeremiah says the Jews were offering their daughters to Molech by passing them through the fire. Palestinian excavations have uncovered evidences of infant skeletons in burial places. Apparently, one of the rituals in the Middle East involved babies being placed in the hands of an outstretched Molech which were heated and the infants were burned to death when positioned in these hands. I do not know if this was practiced by the Jews but they did offer children by fire to Molech. Today in the name of the god of promiscuous sex, babies are burned to death with a saline solution while in their mother’s womb.

Solomon himself worshipped this most wretched god and built an alter to him, 1 Kings 11:7 and 2 Kings 23:13. Solomon loved the world and compromised to please sinful man. His wives worshipped false gods so to appease them; he did also in his old age. He was very lukewarm in his faith as a compromiser with the ways of society and culture.

The “Queen of Heaven” is a goddess of fertility whom Jeremiah exposes. She was a goddess for the ladies whom they brought raisin cakes to. My husband had blood drawn at Mercy Medical Hospital in Nampa, Idaho awhile back. As we were leaving, I noted the statue of Mary with a crown on her head. She is often depicted this way in Catholicism as one of her titles is the “Queen of Heaven.” God, in Jeremiah, strictly admonishes His people not to worship the “Queen of Heaven.” (Jeremiah 44:17 & 25)

Ashtoreth is another prominent goddess of fertility, but not mentioned in Jeremiah.
Solomon worshiped this goddess too as several are mentioned in scripture that he went after in disobedience to God who chastised him.

There are many false gods mentioned in scripture but these are the main ones repeated.
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Returning to verse 16 of Jeremiah chapter 1, we see the works of man’s hands are exalted and not the ways and works of God. Man often times ignores who gave him the abilities he possesses, though nothing of what he fashions will pass on into eternity as we brought nothing into this world nor will be take anything out of it; 1 Timothy 6:7. The earth is passing away and all of its lusts, but the one who does the will of God abides forever. We are not to put stock in that which is material or made by man.

Verse 17 is a warning to Jeremiah to be obedient to God or God will bring judgment upon him for not holding and proclaiming His words. Jeremiah was called of God, but he could still refuse as we all have our will that can conform to God’s or can choose not to.

Encouragement is lavished upon Jeremiah in verse 18 as God reassures him of His great shelter placed about him illustrated by a fortified city, pillar of iron and walls of bronze. This was his protective invisible gear against opposition. It was unseen but it was there, and we will perceive it as we study through this book. Jeremiah always continued on no matter what befell. We have similar gear which is the armor of God which encases us when we walk in obedience. We read of this special protection provided for us that safeguards us against satan in Ephesians chapter 6.

Further encouragement is delivered to Jeremiah’s ears as God lets it be known that He will always deliver him from his adversaries. This also discloses to Jeremiah that it will not be an easy road as these disobedient Hebrews will always be attempting to stop the message of God’s Word.

Jeremiah Chapter 2

As we delve into verse 1 of chapter 2, the Lord reminds us that the Word of God came to Jeremiah, not the words of mere man. Remember in chapter 1, verse 7, God was going to tell Jeremiah what to say. What a prayer for us to intercede with, for God to put His Words in our mouths!! As His children we want to be His ambassadors declaring His Words not the words of today’s society which involves speaking forth its methodologies, terminologies, philosophies; the beat of man-contrived self-elevation. There will come a day when God alone will be exalted. Men will no longer exalt themselves, for they will be abased. The pride of men will vanquish; Isaiah 2:11,12, & 17.

As we venture onto verse 2, God tells Jeremiah further what to speak to His disobedient children. In chapter 1, verse 5, we learned Jeremiah was consecrated for this calling as he was set aside while in the womb. We too are set aside as believers to proclaim God’s Word as we also were chosen before the foundation of the world as we witness in Ephesians 1:4-6. We hold the same unique position as Jeremiah did, but under the New Testament economy of grace.

God becomes romantically poetic in this verse reminiscing of the Jews former devotion as one who has given their life-long marriage vows in the covenant of marriage. He takes pleasure in remembering their faithfulness to Him as He led them from Egypt to the wilderness march for the land of plenty or The Promised Land.

He proclaims they were holy to the Lord in verse 3! They were His chosen ones, yet they fell away and the guilt came upon them as they compromised and did what was right in their own eyes, forsaking His commands of loving obedience. They forsook their first love! He refers to the Jews as the first of His harvest. In James 1:18, we see as New Testament believers, we were brought forth by the Word of Truth, so we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.

We hold a spectacular position, so did Israel, but it is easy for Christians to take their chosen called election and throw this gift back in the face of God through not being totally dedicated to Him and His Word. We basically say we don’t want Your love and blessings that follow obedience, submission and lifetime dedication.

Verse 3 also warns us that evil came upon them for their disobedience. In Hebrews chapter 12 verse 5-6, which is quoting Proverbs 3:11, we see God is a God of discipline who deals with His disobedient ones. In the church at Corinth, some believers were sick and some had died as they partook in communion in an unworthy manner; 1 Corinthians 11:30. God is very serious concerning obedience and bringing Him glory in a righteous manner.

In verse 5, we witness more of the unconditional love of their Savior, who saved them out of Egypt. God reveals the compassion of His heart for His people by inquiring of them why they have forsaken Him after He has met all their needs. He led them through the desert land that even had “pits,” verse 6, to deliverer them from Pharaoh’s hand. I know no where else in scripture where it reveals how God led the departing Hebrews around these pits on their wilderness march. He led them even in deep darkness. Exodus 13:21 reveals He did this by a pillar of fire by night and they were protected by a pillar of cloud by day that no doubt shielded them from the bright sun of the desert. We serve a very gracious and mindful God.

Verse 7 goes on to state this unconditional sustaining love brought God’s people to the land of milk and honey. It is so easy for me to forget all God has done for me; thus, to reflect over the previous years of His great and daily abundance which He bestowed upon me, is a productive exercise so I remember to engage in thanksgiving. God guides and directs us and in many ways. I believe, we are unaware of many things or we take them for granted such as the air we breathe moment by moment that sustains our lives.

The failure of worship, adoration and praise extended even to the priests who where to be examples of faithfulness; verse 8. They who handled the precious Word did not even take the time to know the God of the Word. And those who were to be God’s prophets, went after the false god, Baal.

A key statement here is they walked after those things that did not profit. I have to ask myself, how many things do I follow after that have no eternal value nor bring glory to the Savior? If I am Christ’s child, I need to be constantly seeking those things that bring glory to my righteous, glorious, holy, pure, innocent, modest, decent, etc…etc Lord. I must use my time on earth for things that represent the things above where my mind is to be set. I hear it said, you are not to be so heavenly minded you are of no earthly good. You know, I have never met such a person, one who is too heavenly minded. The majority of believers I meet are too earthly minded for any heavenly good as they are so involved in the passing pleasures and entertainment of this earth that is passing away. If you read Christ’s letters to the seven churches in Revelation, not once does He reprimand them for being too heavenly minded, just the opposite.

Hosea had been a prophet to the northern kingdom, Israel. The sins of Israel eventually consumed Judah as well that is why both the northern and southern kingdoms were taken into captivity. The north, taken by Assyria, 136 years before Judah was removed by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, which is on the horizon as Jeremiah proclaims throughout this book.

In Hosea 4:2, some of the sins of the land are exposed . . . swearing, deception, murder, stealing, adultery, violence and bloodshed. Verse 3 provides us with an observation as to how far reaching and consuming disobedience to the Word can be as it causes all people to languish along with the animals, including the birds and fish of the sea—they all disappear.

Now isn’t that interesting, it is sin that causes wildlife and aquatic life to be removed when transgression consumes the land, not air and land pollution, but sin pollution!

As we move down into the next paragraph, God recites the silliness of forsaking Him as the Jews removed themselves from the Lord’s righteous glory and followed after the unprofitable as we read earlier. God wants us walking in wisdom and common sense but these attributes can be easily withdrawn when we turn to the temporary and selfish desires of the flesh and culture.

The sad cry of God’s heart is felt when we move to verses 12f. He is always hurt by our sin and disrespect for His Word. He, the fountain of living waters, has been cast aside for vanity and temporary pleasure,

Verse 13 is a visual photo to us as we can visualize wells hewn out in stone that hold no rain water as there is a crack in the rock where the water leaks. These people no longer possess the pure living water but wasted polluted water.

The following verses go on to explain how they are consumed by lions; those who have no compassion and just want the smell of death. This passage speaks of the coming destruction. Here, Cairo Egypt is mentioned, which was Memphis at that time and Tahpanhes was in NE Egypt. Judah was horrifically plagued by Egypt at this time. Egypt was eventually consumed by Babylon as well following Judah’s captivity.

Having shaved the crown of their heads represents slavery as that would be their forthcoming appearance. Being shaved was not in line with the law and represented the humility of their disobedience.

Verse 17 places all the blame on Israel! They couldn’t say, “Well, the surrounding nations had so many appealing ways that we just couldn’t say no. We wanted to be styling with everyone else. We didn’t want to be seen as weird, different and out of style.”

God continues to ask them how could they not be totally devoted to Him when He led them personally in the way? He led them through the wilderness and up to the present time. This truth is viewed in Psalm 121:4; behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

God becomes sarcastic in verse 18 as He deals with their stupidity as He delivered them from Egypt and now they’ve enslaved themselves again to Egypt and other nations through their lusting after their cultural ways. God removed His children from Egypt, but He could never remove the Egyptian heart that desired all the world had to offer. Egypt was the styling vacation spot and place of residence…with the lavish on display…gold, silver, costly garments, flashy home décor, exotic food, education, medical advancements and on and on. Not forgetting their arid climate.

The Jews disloyalty will cause God to use their own wickedness to correct them, verse 19. We all reap what we sow! If we sow iniquity, we will reap the consequences! This is basically what this verse is teaching.

The last phrase is so key…the dread of God is not in you! We are to fear God as He is a God of judgment; plus, we know the fear of God is the beginning of understanding. If we don’t truly dread our wrathful God (Philippians 2:12) we end up down a road that is all destructive! We truly see God’s wrath unleashed upon the godless when we focus in on the eschatological times of Revelation.

The following verses deal with Israel and the false gods she deceitfully chases as she believes God doesn’t see her hidden sins that are performed on the hills, where the idols were placed though they held no loftiness as lifeless images.

God tore off Israel’s Egyptian bonds; yet, she re-chose the sin of bondage. Sin always produces bondage that allies itself to satan. We are only free when we exercise His moral and upright ways in our lives which arises out of our deep love for our Savior.

God planted Israel as His chosen, a most precious and prevailing position, but they threw this celebrated stance back in God’s face to His heartache. They were at one time faithful and glorified Him, but now all has been discarded.

In Luke 8:8 & 11, we see a good planting in productive soil brings glory to God. Verse 11 tells us the seed is the Word of God. When God’s teachings are not received seriously, it becomes foul and unfruitful in our hearts.

As we traverse on, we see once one is intertwined with sin, verse 21, it brings a true cheapness, like overdone make-up. The depth and insightfulness that comes only from God’s Word is replaced with the worldly cheap sensual beat that has no deep refined instrumentation.

Judah is to the point of lying to God, pretending she is loyal and true just as an unfaithful wife might attempt to convince her husband she has always been the devoted mate to avoid the scalding water of his wrath.

Judah is stained with an irremovable stain that cannot be hid from her God who is omniscient, knowing all things. She can go to worship, sing the songs, hear the Word and appear holy, but God knows what is hidden within. She is walking in defilement though she lies and says “I am not defiled.” The world and its ways are vile, but she enjoys it too much to confess it. God reveals the inner person in verses 22f.

To note a New Testament contrast, turn in your Bibles to Matthew 23:27. You will note Jesus Christ here is pointing the finger to the religious hypocrites who possess an external righteous appearance, but He being God knows their wicked sinful hearts. Reality reveals that these heads of faith, actually held within them that which resembled dead man’s bones and all uncleanness. These Jews were compromisers too!

Verse 25 reveals fact as Judah states; she will follow after the strangers and not her faithful heavenly Father.

Verse 26 of chapter 2 reveals a heart attitude of Judah as she is only ashamed when she is caught in her sin, not when in the practice of it. Also there is not a place of true repentance. We’ve seen politicians, athletes, etc, who would never admit they were wrong until they are caught and often times their confession is half-hearted and not always on the mark of true revelation and exposure. David, himself, did not repent of his sin with Bath Sheba till Nathan brought the matter up to him in the tale of the little pet ewe lamb.

God calls for His people to be ashamed of their sin before Him; He who is all righteousness and purity. He is our standard never men! Even Israel’s godly leaders had turned to evil, their priests and prophets. They were the religious leaders of the time and they had all chosen a wrong road.

False prophets and teachers who infiltrate the church are exposed throughout scripture including 2 Peter and Jude. Even Christ warned us of their presence in our churches. Judas was the first false tare who we recognize in New Testament scripture. No one even suspected him as he was among the others who performed so many miracles, stayed faithful to Christ, etc.

Many of the false ones know how to walk the walk and talk the talk; yet, whenever they get a chance, they will state a false teaching here and there, a teaching of culture or society that is not scriptural or of a separated stance.

These teachers become more prominent in the church in the last times as believers will no longer long for the deep and convicting teaching of verse by verse study. They will desire teachers who present very little Bible and only that which makes them feel good, not that which causes them to fall on their knees in deep repentance. They are not desirous of gaining continuous higher ground as the hymn writer put it. “I’m pressing on the upward way, new heights I’m gaining every day, still praying as I’m onward bound, ‘Lord plant my feet on higher ground.’’’

I don’t believe in worldly advertising for churches; but nevertheless, I have never read a billboard for a church that states “Come and learn how to suffer for Christ.” Gaining friends and having fun seems to be the fancy by which churches want to advertise and present themselves in these last days.

In verse 27, God addresses the new age movement of the time as they were worshipping the earth and the things of the earth such as trees and stones. I was told of a man who decided to become a Native American though he was not by nationality. He would go up to the mountains to commune with his father-god of nature. People of this false faith truly believe the spirits are in the trees, rocks, etc. and these must be left undisturbed. We witness how this movement has grown as wilderness American soil is now not to be cultivated for man-made purposes to the extreme.

Romans chapter one speaks of people worshipping the creation rather than the creator, suppressing the truth as God has made Himself evident to them through His attributes. After a society turns to creation for answers rather than the creator, it then begins to approve of homosexuality which results in a culture’s demise. God gives its inhabitants over to their wickedness. The great kingdom of Rome is no longer as it fell deep into these lustful, indecent and immodest ways. They diverted from all chaste prudishness!!

There is an interesting twist to all this as these chosen children of God have turned their backs on Him but not their face. They will present a form of godliness such as going to the temple, presenting sacrifices, etc, as we will see further when we arrive at Jeremiah 6:20. This could be akin to believers coming to church on Sunday, speaking all the right talk and maybe even teaching Sunday school; however, during the week they do what is right in their own eyes in many areas.

When it settles down to reality and God’s discipline, these Jews will all of a sudden call on God to save them. They won’t call on their false idols to save them as those gods have no mouths to speak nor ears that hear, etc (see Psalm 135:15-18). The end result is in verse 18, they become like their idols; obviously lacking all common sense and decency. However, reality doesn’t strike untill terror is on their heels.

Verse 28 portrays God in His sarcastic humor as He challenges His people to let idols arise and save them if they can when His wrath strikes. This is similar to Elijah, 1 Kings 18, who told the false prophets to yell to get Baal, the storm god, to respond to them. He too mocked the stupidity of man-made religion.

Many people today worship the television in the sense that this is where they acquire their humanistic cultural philosophies; yet, it wasn’t the television people ran to on 9-11 for hope; it was God. People picked up Gospel tracts as if they were worth a million dollars. At the Columbine school massacre, people ran to the churches not the physiatrists sent by the state.

As we travel further into Jeremiah chapter two, we see in verse 30 that God attempted to chastise His children but with no results. God is longsuffering, but only for a season. Judgment on disobedience is for New Testament believers too as we know from Hebrews 12, Revelation chapters 2-3, and other portions of scripture.

Back in Jeremiah, we see in verse 30, that these people killed the true prophets. This is powerfully exposed in Hebrews 11:36-38.

Verse 31 reveals how faithful God has been to His children, always present for them. He has not been in the wilderness nor hidden in darkness. This truth proclaims God’s unconditional love for His people through his omnipresence. He has never failed them nor forsaken them even when they have chosen the wrong paths.

We move away from God, He doesn’t move from us! The second we repent, we know He is there and always has been, just waiting for that call of re-communion.

The deep heart hurt and cry is felt as we read verse 32 of God’s spoken words, as Judah has forgotten God whom He loves with all His heart. This nation as a whole hasn’t even thought of Him for days without number! We too break God’s heart when we follow after the ways of society and not His holy, inerrant Word. Believers can also break God’s heart when they only think of Him on Sunday and never fellowship with Him through His Word and prayer during the week.

Judah’s personal wickedness is addressed in verses 33-35. She is so evil she even teaches the surrounding nations how to fall further into sin.

This nation doesn’t even care for its innocent poor population. James 2:5 and 5:1-6 disclose how detestable this is in the eyes of our Lord. God chose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of His kingdom. Partiality is a devious sin when we love the socially acceptable in men’s eyes above the ones who do not fit into worldly uppity society.

God confronts Judah and says you did not find the poor breaking into your home whereby you believe you can justly ill-treat them. There is no reason for this, as it is just spiteful prejudice. They truly believe they are better than others. The Jews reveal how they are walking in denial in verse 34 stating they are innocent. They turn their back on all sin including how they treat the undesirables.

They believe they are under grace alone and no judgment or wrath would arise from their God who is all love. Warning believers that there are consequences to disobeying the Holy Word was just as deplorable to the people back then as it is today!!

Verse 36 speaks of them changing their ways; always walking in instability to go with the flow. This is certainly exposed in James 1 as people are tossed here and there by the instability of their ways not holding fast to Christ alone. They love to explore the newest trendy ways that change from year to year. Malachi 3:6-7 discloses God does not change that is why we are not to accept new philosophies and methodologies that do. When we accept worldly ways and compromise, we are seen as unstable souls and our witness can become a matter of mockery.

The coming judgment of these actions appears in verse 37 as they leave their land in humiliation with their hands on their heads. Many were killed and many were taken captive by Babylon. Judah trusted in the surrounding culture, but it would be that society that would bring forth their demise and captivity. When we trust in society, loving its fun, entertainment, materialism, etc, not seeing those unsaved people who bring it to us as enemies of the cross of righteousness; we can be brought into its bondage by its outward deception of counterfeit presentation.

Jeremiah Chapter 3

The sanctity of the marriage vowels and this serious covenant made with God is addressed in the first verse. We know in this day and age that this covenant is not witnessed in the serious and grave manner it was a century ago when divorce was not a simple legal option.

Verse one is basically quoting Deut. 24:1- 4. This is a situation of divorce allowed by the law where a woman if found to be impure by her husband thus separation is allowed. She was not the chaste virgin he believed her to be. She lied. Even though virginity holds a place of mockery today, we know that women and men are to come together as chaste virgins through the marriage vowels stated before our holy Lord.

Of course, many believers have turned to a pure mindset after being saved from a lustful past, as God forgives, restores and renews as we see with the woman at the well. I believe God sees a couple as pure when they marry, if they pursued purity after coming to Christ.

Scripture also admonishes us to be chaste virgins before our Lord in the sense of walking in purity and not being stained by this moral-less world where chastity, modesty, and decency are hated.

I was so hurt when the movie Titanic was released as all of God’s calling for purity was cast aside in this drama that even Christians praised. Believers are to walk in all purity hating the sins that sent Christ to the cross including nudity, pre-marital sex, swearing, and all the vileness of the world that was portrayed in this production.

Why did many observe nothing awry in this movie? I have no idea. I also do not know why believing parents let their young children view it. Why Christians even expect godless vile Hollywood to produce decent programs is beyond me. They are not God’s called out and separated ones. We are not called to reform the unregenerate. This can only be accomplished by the new birth. Believers think if they complain enough Hollywood will acquire a Christian mindset when producers have no spiritual discernment to begin with. Yes, once in awhile a movie with a good moral is produced, but Christ’s name is not uplifted and glorified unless some Christian influence penetrates by chance and that is more than rare.

Why Christians believe they have to be entertained by the world is beyond me. May all of us who are believers think this through in light of our separated calling. Our calling is to go and save souls everywhere without a spirit of partiality.

In 1 Peter 3:2, we see a woman of chastity being able to win her erring husband back to the Lord (acting chaste toward other men). This type of woman today would be respectful in her behavior. She would not be flirtatious nor dress to attract the opposite sex. She would not be a woman who would set her mind on alluring movie stars, Christian entertainers, or the neighbor next door. Her mind and heart would be set on her husband alone.

We are to possess pure minds. What we set before our eyes can pollute a godly mindset. We can turn to what is improper by what we seat ourselves before. I know personally, I have a far better thought life when I’m away from worldly entertainment. I was formerly addicted to the television, but God released me when I cried for deliverance as a young person.

In verse 1, God is speaking of pollution, sin pollution that can occur when a man divorces his wife. Because she is not wanted, she goes to a man who desires her. Then, out of the blue, her previous husband decides to pursue her, even though she has been with another man. She then decides to return to her original husband. (Believe it or not I have heard of such things.) Why is this wrong? Because we know God ordained one woman for one man. It bears the appearance of harlotry not purity. God’s children are not to go from mate to mate; this being abhorrent. If one divorces and remarries, then they must stay with that person. A woman may feel guilty because she broke her marriage vowels, but she must receive God’s forgiveness and stay with her current husband for life. Of course, a woman may want to return for other reasons as well. Maybe this new husband is not an adequate provider or doesn’t pay her as much attention. Whatever the situation, she is not to pollute the land and return to her first husband.

Today, we hear about pollution to the extreme, yet God says what curses the land is sin. We see in Hosea 4:2-3 that sin causes the land to languish along with the beasts of the field and the birds of the sky. Plus the fish of the sea disappear. God’s curse on the land for sin-pollution is the depreciation of its wildlife.

Verse 2 moves into the idolatry of these Hebrews. They are pursuing many gods like an Arab in the desert who is a thief just waiting for his next victim. It’s as if Judah just can’t get enough gods to be in bondage to. The Arab thief is never satisfied either, no matter how much wealth he pockets by the edge of a sword.

In verse 3, we witness more of God’s curse on creation as He is withholding the rain, specifically the spring rain. How can crops grow without spring rains? No rain . . . no food. Today Israel is a desert land where once she was a land of milk and honey. Obedience brings blessings; disobedience, great hardship.

We see an interesting phrase in three, that of Judah possessing a harlot’s forehead. A godly chaste woman covered herself with a veil, a promiscuous woman did not or she wore a very little one that did not cover her forehead.

In 2 Samuel 13:18, we see the dress of a virgin as we view David’s daughter, Tamar. She is dressed in a virgin garment for the king’s daughters. It is long sleeved and consists of modest robes. Because her sinful brother, Amnon, raped her, she tares her virgin garments in shame; no doubt, feeling unworthy to now don them.

How many women today would consider it an honor to wear modest virgin garments? In today’s society, girls want to wear the garments of a harlot, very immodest and revealing. Modest virgin garments that cover the body would certainly be mocked today; but God, who calls women to dress modestly, endorses them; 1 Timothy 2:9.

In verse 3, back in Jeremiah, we see Judah is unashamed in serving the other gods. On the flipside, we witness she likes to pretend she loves God; verse 4. Judah calls God her Father and feigns being God’s friend. This would be similar to people attending church on Sunday, listening to the message, singing the hymns, praying, taking communion; yet, doing as they choose during the week without asking themselves if this is pleasing to my holy and righteous Lord.

Judah recognizes God is angry with her; verse 5; yet, with no desire to turn away. She truly does not fear God. Fearing God is the beginning of understanding.

God speaks to Jeremiah in verse 6 in disgust concerning Judah as He asks him if he saw the wicked idolatrous ways of Israel? God is asking Jeremiah this question during the rule of Josiah, the righteous king of Judah. Israel was taken captive by Assyria many years previous; however, Judah never learned from Israel’s sins and consequences.

God desired that Israel repent, but she did not. God cannot understand why Judah never learned a lesson in this. Today, society can witness people being haled off to prison for drug abuse; however, it never prevents others from following suit. The total wisdom of God is rarely desired in any society.

Verse 8 speaks of God divorcing Israel. We can’t have a better picture of this than with Hosea who was a prophet to Israel, the northern kingdom, and was told to marry a harlot to portray God’s heart toward Israel.

In the book of Hosea, we witness Hosea remaining faithful for Gomer even though she had many lovers and children by them, as well as by Hosea. Gomer finally leaves Hosea, because of her obvious desire to be with many other men. However, Hosea did not give up on desiring her return and eventually bought her, as she had become a slave to be auctioned. This illustrated the fact, God would eventually bring Israel back from captivity to the Promised Land. He would bestow His love on these Jews once again. The prodigal son is also a picture of God’s desire to forgive and restore the repentant person.

In counseling women who have wayward husbands, I request they pray the prayer of Hosea. He asked for Gomer to be hedged up with thorns, for a wall to be built against her, whereby she could not find her paths. Also that she would not overtake any lovers so she would return to him; Hosea 2:6-7.

The new age movement is addressed in verse 9 again. I spoke to this earlier in 2:27 when it first surfaced in Jeremiah. Israel looks earthward instead of heavenward for answers.

God desires we follow Him wholeheartedly, never halfheartedly. He reprimands Judah for not turning to Him with all of her heart. Deuteronomy 6:5 commands us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our might. Judah disobeyed this command and God was going to bring frightful judgment. As followers of Christ we are not to love Him with just 10% of our being, or 50% nor 90%, but with all our heart!

God is very disappointed in Judah as she is now even more wicked than Israel (the northern kingdom) that has been carried away by Assyria into captivity. Here, God pleads with Israel, not Judah, to repent and return to Him; verse 12.

Also in verse 12, God declares He is a gracious forgiving God. He simply asks Israel to repent. It is always so simple, but few follow this road. Psalm 103:13-14 explains God’s heart of loving His children, as He has compassion on His children who fear Him, just as any father does. He knows our frame and that we are but dust. This puts us in our rightful place. We have no reason to walk in any pride as those made of dust and who are simply dumb sheep. What would we do without our Shepherd?

Verse 15 speaks of a future time when the Jews will be led by shepherds, those who will feed them on the knowledge and understanding of God’s Word. We know this is referring to the millennial period as the next verse speaks of having no need for the Ark of the Covenant as there will be no need to even remember it.

Isaiah 65:17 speaks of the future when God creates a new heavens and earth when former things will not be remembered nor come to mind. Heaven will be so wonderful and fulfilling we will not have a desire to remember this sin-filled earth nor will we think upon it in time.

We so look forward to the time mentioned in verse 17 of Jeremiah, when all will call Jerusalem The Throne of the Lord. All the nations will be gathered to it and no one will walk again after the stubbornness of their heart.

We know after the Babylonian captivity both Israel and Judah became one nation again and this will be true during the millennium as well; verse 18. This however, will be a total union in love without disputes.

As we return to verse 19, God reveals the pain and hurt of having Israel turn from Him. We too grieve God’s heart whenever we turn from Him. God views this as treachery, when we put other things before Him.

Verse 23 refers to the hills being a deception. Why? Because that was where the idols were always placed. David in Psalm 121 reveals his help came from the Lord not the hills where he looked. The idols were positioned on the hills.

Sin can be all-consuming as we perceive in verse 24. It devours the labor of fathers, and the flocks, herds, sons and daughters. Sin affects the land as we saw earlier. In Jonah 3:8, when Nineveh repented, the beasts had to be covered in sackcloth and ashes, as well as the people. And in Jonah 4:11, God spoke of saving the animals and the people.

Verse 25 is a great prayer of repentance that God desired His people pray. He requested that they simply state that they had sinned against the Lord their God from their youth till this day. A prayer of salvation can be very simple too if it comes from the heart of repentance. One simply asks Christ to save and cleanse them from their sins and take control of their life. God makes it simple for us simple folk.

Jeremiah Chapter 4

God is speaking to Israel, the northern captured kingdom, in verses 1 and 2 of chapter 4. He desires that this chosen nation would reach the nations for Him through Israel turning from detestable things. God wanted the Gentiles saved in Old Testament times as well as in the church age. He desired that the other kingdoms glory in Him just as Israel was called to do. God loves all men and desires all be saved; that’s why we are called to present the Gospel throughout the world and to our neighbors beside us.

James 4:4 addresses God’s disobedient ones. Israel had become a friend of the world and was paying her indebtedness to it through God’s discipline. Israel and Judah had become God’s enemies through their compromising ways. This is hostility toward God as James discloses. Whenever we seek the world for answers and not God’s holy ordinances, we become God’s enemies. Society, which is ruled by satan, will justify most all evil and the Bible is not the standard, as holiness is a foreign word to this world. Years ago, I was filmed for a response to an editorial concerning sex education in the public schools here in Boise for Channel 6. The manager informed me, she had never seen the word righteous before reading my counter reply for airing.

Here are a couple verses from the hymn More Holiness Give Me: “More holiness give me, more striving within; more patience in suffering, more sorrow for sin; more faith in my Savior, more sense of His care; more joy in His service, more purpose in prayer.” Third stanza: “More purity give me; more strength to overcome; more freedom from earth stains, more longings for home; more fit for the kingdom, more used would I be; more blessed and holy, more Savior like Thee.” This hymn reveals what God desires for all His people and what I feel is the heart-cry of these verses in Jeremiah.

Verse three of Jeremiah turns our attention back to Judah, consisting of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. To review again, if you turn to the maps in the back of your Bible, you will see the tribal area of Benjamin. This was the land God allotted to the tribe of Benjamin who descended from Jacob’s son Benjamin. The people living in the area of Judah, below Benjamin, descended from Jacob’s son Judah. Judah is mentioned in verse 5 of chapter 4; this is referring to the entire southern kingdom consisting of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Jacob had twelve sons. The northern captured kingdom, removed by Assyria, consisted of the other ten tribes.

Verse 5 and following speak further of the future Babylonian attack on Judah when many will be killed and made captives. When verse 6 speaks of Zion, it means Jerusalem, the holy city, which is in the area of Benjamin, which you may have noticed on your map. Verse 7 speaks of a lion; this would represent King Nebuchadnezzar who destroyed kingdoms to enlarge his ruler-ship in his thirst for power. We do know by God’s grace that he eventually became a believer through Daniel’s witness and God’s discipline.

In 1 Peter 5:8 satan is described as a lion, because through his craftiness he desires to destroy all of mankind. That is why we are never to waver and turn to the philosophies and teachings that come from his kingdom—the earth. Those teachings that contradict God’s Word eventually bring destruction to the hearer. This is satan’s plan to lead us down the path of destruction through cultural philosophies that sound reasonable and are flesh-fulfilling, but produce God’s discipline. Satan despises all mankind because man is made in God’s image.

God, in verse 7, is straightforward about the consequences of disobediences; if they don’t repent their land will become a waste without inhabitant. This is a result of the fierce anger of the Lord; verse 8; who hates all sin!! We will see this anger of our righteous LORD powerfully unleashed again when judgment falls on the entire world as witnessed in Revelation. Pastors formerly taught on God’s fierce anger, but today it is avoided as not politically correct for the contemporary church. How sad as such preaching brought many to the foot of the cross in centuries past.

Verse 9 speaks of the differing responses of suffering people. “The prophets will be astounded.” This would be the false prophets who truly thought the people were righteous in God’s eyes, as they held a form of godliness. They believed this form of religiosity overshadowed the fact that they were not obeying all of God’s commands for holy living. This verse also states, “hearts will fail” and “priests will be appalled.”

Jeremiah pours out his heart in verse 10 as he feels the justice coming to his fellow Jews is not justifiable. He even boldly exclaims, “God has deceived this people.” However, Deuteronomy 28:15 declares God will bring many curses on the Hebrews if they don’t observe all His commandments and statutes. Verse 32 of Deuteronomy 28 and following state how they will become enslaved to other nations if they disobey their holy God.

Verses 11 and 12, back in Jeremiah, foretell how God is going to bring judgment and there will be no reason to winnow and cleanse the grain that was grown. The people will be ruined and so will the land.

We become redirected to the power of King Nebuchadnezzar in verse 13 as his chariots cannot be halted and the swiftness of his horses will prevail. Job 39, verses 19-25, speak of God’s omnipotence in forming the stately horse. God declares the inner workings of the horse that craves battle. The horse exalts in his strength and power; therefore he inwardly laughs at fear, being not dismayed; Job 39:22. In verse 25 when the trumpet sounds, the eager horse exclaims Aha!!

Moving further into Chapter 4 of Jeremiah, God exhorts them to wash their hearts from evil for their salvation, verse 14. We desire to be washed whiter than snow and we are in the eyes of God, thanks to Christ’s shed blood, which cleanses us from all sin. We must, consequently, continue to choose to walk in the path of moral uprightness.

We additionally witness that God desires that they practice a pure thought life as He desires that no wicked thoughts lodge in them. 2 Corinthians 10:5 commands us to take every thought captive in obedience of Christ. We are not to harbor any thoughts that are contrary to His holy ways. We do this by not allowing the speculations and lofty teachings of culture to have any place in our minds. Anything that contradicts God’s holy and inerrant Word should not be dwelt on as it forfeits our knowledge of God. Ephesians 4:17 warns us not to walk in the futility of our minds. We are not to dwell on those things that don’t bring us closer to our Lord and King nor those things that produce anger, pride, and the sensual and so forth.

We are to think on those things that are lovely, pure, honorable, right and worthy of praise, etc; Phil. 4:8. The music that we regard should cause us to dwell on all those things that are lovely, pure, and honorable like listening to a lovely symphony piece that puts our mind on quiet waters and green pastures, such as Psalm 23 proclaims. Of course, setting our mind on the Lord is of utmost importance! Those things that encompass our being should be representative of a gentle spirit, Philippians 4:5; and that which encompasses humility and lowliness of mind.

This is opposite of what the world teaches as it desires celebrities to applaud and to exalt as stars. It is so wrong when churches possess an entertainment mentality to please the world which exalts the talented. There was a time when the choir sung from the back of the churche as the congregation faced the front, thus forsaking the uplifting of human talent and applauding, etc. Those things that brought haughtiness of mind were to be shunned in times past.

Telling jokes seems to be of all importance in the contemporary church and in entertaining Christendom which often sets the mind on fleshly enjoyment; yet, not one joke is recorded in all of scripture. Yes, God certainly has a sense of humor as we see in Job in creation, yet this humor is to exalt the greatness of our Lord and King alone. The teaching of God’s Word is to be witnessed in all seriousness of mind when we gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing on our fellowship. A David Letterman mentality for worship does not arise from God’s Holy Word. Glitter and lights of showmanship do not cause our holy Lord to rejoice in man’s prideful self-exaltation.

God lets it be known in the following verses that inflicted pain is on the way as Judah has rebelled against God; verse 17. Rebelling is not conforming ourselves to God’s ways but to the ways we desire. These ways lead to a bitter end; verse. 18.

Verse 19 turns our attention to a speech expressing the anguished heart of Jeremiah as God reveals the coming tragedy to the land. Jeremiah does not desire that his people suffer and so his heart aches for them. He says, “My heart is pounding in me.” God has allowed him to hear the battle cry and the sound of the trumpet. In Revelation 9:14 there will be the sound of the trumpet which will result in the third of the earth being destroyed, a far greater catastrophe than what Jeremiah was to experience. John, in Revelation, witnessed this devastation, that of God’s coming judgment upon the whole earth which certainly would have been frightening to say the least. This too will come because people will not humble themselves and turn to God.

As we move on in Jeremiah we see him witnessing the devastation of the land. He even sees, by the will of God, his own tents being destroyed and his curtains, verse 20. God, no doubt, is giving him factual visions that disturb him.

We can understand more of the “heart” of Jeremiah by studying Lamentations which was also penned by him. Lamentations was written after the destruction of Judah. Lamentations follows Jeremiah in the Bible. If you turn to Lamentations 3:15-18, you view Jeremiah’s sorrowful heart as he says God has broken his teeth and has made him cower in the dust. He speaks of forgetting happiness and having no hope from the Lord. Of course, Jeremiah rose up to praise God again, but the devastation was a frightening thing to live through, similar to experiencing an atom bomb or a 9-ll catastrophe. God’s judgment and discipline are never fun that is why we have His Word to exhort us to holy living. He does not desire our sorrow.

God speaks in verse 22 in response as he lets Jeremiah know that His people are foolish and do not know Him, that is, His character of righteousness. They have “no understanding.” Why? They don’t study His ordinances. We are commanded to study God’s Word in the New Testament so we are approved unto God. They did not desire to be approved unto God, learning and practicing His truths. God is saying they are without excuse as they have access to everything. Also, Jeremiah by God’s grace was sent to warn them, but they consistently refuse to listen to him.

Psalm 50:21 is a very revealing verse, as it aptly discloses the people thought God was just like them! We make a huge mistake when we think God enjoys the things we do or thinks the way we think. I believe we are living in the time of the apostasy because believers think God is like them enjoying today’s culture and ways, like they do. They are sadly mistaken! He is not impressed with the arts or any other thing that brings them entertaining joy from this vile world. Isaiah 55:8 proclaims, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, declares the Lord.” God is not impressed by anything man does or accomplishes.

This is why we have to make sure we are worshipping the Christ of the Bible, not an entertaining Christ contrived by man’s prideful mindset. There are many false Christ’s. We have to come to grips with which one we are following. Is the Christ you’re following the Holy Christ of scripture who says come out from among them and be separate?

Jeremiah speaks again in verse 23 quoting Genesis 1:2. He sees that the area of Judah will be “formless and void.” Jeremiah witnesses the result of the fierce anger of the Lord being accomplished probably through a vision. I believe this is referring to the total destruction of the area. Jeremiah continues to express what he sees, as even the hills move “to and fro;” verse 24. There is no man left; this is because the people were either killed or enslaved. Even the birds have disappeared. Nothing remains for the birds of prey to consume; every dead human has been devoured.

In verse 27, God begins speaking again, as He will not execute a complete destruction. This is by His grace. God always preserves a remnant. In Isaiah 11:11-12 God reveals He will gather the banished Jews from Israel and Judah. This foretells their preservation and return to the land after the captivity. The following verses continue to relay the ruin, as God will not change His mind.

Verse 30 states how the women will attempt to make themselves beautiful in a worldly manner in hopes of winning the hearts of the Babylonians, but it will all be in vain as these fierce warriors only care about enlarging their borders for world domination. They are there to kill and destroy not to engage in romance.

Reality strikes in verse 32 as a woman in labor, bearing her first child, is pleading for her life in vain. Her murderers have no compassion even on a woman birthing.

Jeremiah 5 prelude:

My cat Cassidy, who loves only me, hating all other persons and animals, enjoys curling up in a black and white ball on my lap. She also covets snuggling. (She is peering at me right now through the window, saying, “Let me in;” in her own way, of course.) If Alan, my husband, enters the room, she sits up and gives him the evil eye. He will look down at her and say “Yes, I know you want to be alone with Mama.” The moment he leaves, she encircles my lap and coils in simulation, relishing the gratifying contentment of owning only me.

Being alone with Christ in fellowship as I study, pray, and sing hymns is a fountain of living blessing. Holding a private session with my Savior minus any interruptions is my greatest joy. I do not appreciate it if one enters the room and interrupts my precious moments. God’s truths are powerful, persistently timely and daily enlightening and I don’t desire to miss any of their delights.

Jeremiah Chapter 5

As we enter the scene in chapter 5, verse 1, God is pleading for just one, just man to be found in the land. We hear this calling-plea today in America. It is a saddening thing when a court judge is removed for upholding the Biblical truths our nation was founded upon, especially in light of the fact that our original laws came forth from these holy writings. On February 29, 1892, our US Supreme Court declared, “Our laws and our institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of the Redeemer of mankind.”

Of course, we just can’t blame our government completely knowing that many churches prefer not to teach doctrines that are offensive for a contemporary society. Unfortunately, the church frequently serves no better example. It is not strange that our society, which also views itself as contemporary, would see no need to embrace that which is often viewed as old-fashioned. When there is similar rhetoric descending from our pulpits, how can we expect this government to govern differently? The Ten Commandments exhorts us not to commit adultery and so does the New Testament; yet, how many pastors overlook divorce and remarriage in their assemblies? How many preach against it? Many commandments that are reemphasized in the NT are cast aside, in order to tickle the ears of those in an assembly. Preaching against coveting—desiring that which has not been allotted to us—is not cool for a materialistic society. Of course, one could go on and on.

Looking further into verse 1, part of seeking justice in the land is desiring truth. Of course, the Ten Commandments are truth and certainly basic for a righteous rulership, as the only truth for living we possess is God’s Word. It is our “how to” book on living purely before our Lord and King. Israel failed her God, who should have been her only king, because she forsook those teachings in the scriptures that she didn’t like; those she didn’t view as contemporary. What is different from today?

God made it clear, if He could find just one who sought truth, He would pardon Judah and she would not suffer the consequences of compromise. However, that never became her desire.

In verse 2, we witness the Jews wearing an external appearance of righteousness as they would say “as the Lord lives.” This statement makes it appear that they held a personal, close relationship to God; but it was only a façade—not lived out through their hearts. Through James 4:15, we interpret that we are still to refer to God’s will if we desire to pursue an endeavor, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” It is Biblical to state as the Lord lives, we will do this or that; but it has to be applied through a heart of righteousness, which the Hebrews did not possess as their being was filled with religious deception.

In verse 3, Jeremiah cries to God inquiring, “Do God’s eyes look for truth?” Jeremiah thinks God is unjustly smiting His people even though he acknowledges they refuse to repent. In this verse, the LORD lets it be known that He attempted correction, but there is no change. They make “their faces harder than rock” which certainly displays a heart that speaks I don’t want to be different from the crowd and I will not change for You, God.

In verse 4, Jeremiah makes excuses for his people by saying they are poor and foolish. Here Jeremiah sets forth his own solution; he’ll just go to the great and speak the Words of God. They know the Word of God. He believes this will result in everyone getting right with the LORD. However, he discovers they have already hardened their hearts and they won’t break them in repentance. They had let go of God’s guiding hands, meaning His “yoke” and “bonds.” Jeremiah spent a great deal of his life attempting to bring truth to the people; yet, all in vain due to their set-in-stone sins.

In verse 6, Jeremiah acknowledges that they don’t seek the values of God; therefore, they must be destroyed by beasts as their transgressions are many and their religious facades are numerous.

God takes the place of speaker and inquires in verses 7-8 “Why should I pardon Judah when her sons have forsaken Me.” The Lord reveals these men have followed false gods. God warns in Psalm 135:15-18 that those who make and trust false gods become like them. We do become like the people and things we spend our time with. If one is consistently seated before the television and movies, they are going to spend their time speaking those things that surround the entertainment realm. If one spends time with one who enjoys telling dirty jokes, they will start retelling those jokes. I knew a pastor who engaged in such behavior. He lived a short life. I must restate, what we spend time with consumes our being through its outpouring. If we spend time in scripture, we will be sharing positive fruitful Biblical truth with others.

This verse states as well, they have committed adultery—sexual unfaithfulness—when they were to hold to one’s mate for life. They were lusting after other women and harlots. They were not holding their thoughts and actions in check. In Matthew 5:27-28 Christ plainly warns that no one should commit adultery, quoting Deuteronomy 5:18. The Lord adds more substance by stating a man can also commit the sin of adultery by lusting after another woman. Of course, women can lust wrongfully after men as well.

In verse 9, we see God’s attribute of vengeance which is also revealed in the NT. Vengeance is to be performed by the Lord; Hebrews 10:30 and Deut. 32:35. God is a consuming fire when it comes to dealing with the sinful and unrepentant. This conflagration of judgment will fully be revealed when the unsaved will stand before him. God is saying because they are not true to their wives for life that He has the right to punish and bring judgment upon the land of Judah! God certainly has the right to avenge America when we see infidelity so rampant in society and in the church.

Undeserved grace is seen in verse 10, as God states “He will not execute a complete destruction,” but He will strip away the false branches. We read in John 15:2-6 of branches being removed, branches that don’t bear fruit. Those who don’t abide in Christ, will be cast into the fire and burned. This is illustrating apostates I believe.

Treachery is seen in verse 12. God says both the northern and southern kingdoms have been treacherous against Him, as they made Him to be someone He was not. They presented Him as one who overlooks their sin believing that no misfortune; sword or famine would ever arise due to their disobedience. Verse 13 reveals it was the false prophets who declared this. They taught grace, and God simply turns the other way when they cast aside Scriptures.

The New Testament teaches us about false prophets in many portions including 2 Corinthians 11:13f. This passage discloses they disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. They know how to enter our churches and play the Christian act, at least on Sunday. These vile dudes are revealed clearly in Jude. They modernize the Bible to their mind-set. They aren’t ones who love inductive Bible teaching and application. 2 Peter, chapter 2, discloses how they will move among us introducing the heretical ways and practices of the world, bringing swift destruction upon themselves, which we witness in John 15. They use false words, not holding to Scripture alone! As we move farther into chapter 2 of 2 Peter, we witness God’s anger is against them as He will cast them into hell. Trekking further, we see Old Testament examples being cited to reveal how God’s wrath is placed upon sinners.

God directly speaks in a personal form to Jeremiah in verse 14, as we turn back to this book. He blesses Jeremiah by stating because he has not compromised the message; God’s words would now be fire in Jeremiah’s mouth. These words would be the convicting fire of the truth of God’s inerrant and holy Word in judgment against sinners. Hebrews 4:12 reveals God’s Word is living and active! None of God’s Word has died. It is still wholly relevant for today. It is living and true just as it was centuries ago. Contemporary-ism does not murder any of its live content. This verse further reveals that it is sharper than any two-edged sword, “piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit.” A pastor may speak dully the living words from Scripture; yet, the words can still convict the one who is not practicing its truth.

The spoken words of Jeremiah were never dull as he was a fiery preacher not speaking words of his own. He spoke through the powerful convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit. Yes, God is a God of love and grace, but His wrath, anger and vengeance cannot be cast aside. The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge! It can bring a hell-destined sinner to his knees. A friend wrote telling me of a man who saw the movie “The Passion of the Christ” resulting in him confessing to murder before authorities. Though there are many inaccuracies with this movie, the Word is still presented and holding enough truth to bring this murderer to confession of sin.

We also learn as we read the next phrase that the words spoken by Jeremiah would “consume them” as fire. God is a consuming fire as we see in Hebrews 12:29. Unfortunately, such messages on this attribute of God are rarely and seldom heard. Of course, these sermons are most needed to be spoken from arenas where the multitudes of lost ones gather. Those in strong churches are usually snatched out of the fire: therefore, they mainly require the meat of God’s Word for uniform growth. Yes, a powerful Gospel still should be presented to one who is searching as they slip in amongst believers; however, a church is to be careful of those who are false teachers who attempt to slip in as well.

When it comes to speaking forth the judgment of God, pastors should not neglect educating their congregations on the wrathful attributes of God. Whereby, believers desire to reach the lost, knowing hell’s fire is not a figment of one’s imagination or a playground for partiers.

In Jeremiah 5:15, our attention is turned to Babylon, which is bringing into play God’s judgment. We read this nation of power is enduring and ancient. It has been in existence since 1830 BC, at least. We first read of this area in Genesis 10:10, when Babel is spoken of. God removed everyone from this compressed area for world migration.

This verse also speaks how they will be unlearned in the language of these people. Babylon spoke Aramaic and Jews spoke Hebrew. Aramaic naturally became the world’s prose that Jews had to adopt. Even Christ spoke Galilean Aramaic on earth when He quoted portions of the O.T.

Verse 16 is a fierce verse as the Babylonian army was not to be reckoned with, as they were mighty and their quiver was an open grave. This obviously revealed their mastery of striking the human mark without fail. David and his men were described as mighty men also in 1 Chronicles 12:8. They had faces like lions and they were swift as gazelles on the mountains. These warriors were also feared in their day, long before the great Babylonian Empire surfaced.

God further informs Jeremiah in verse 17, returning to the passage, that these people will devour all their food, children, herds, vines, and trees. They will also demolish with the sword their fortified cities in which they trust. We see throughout the Word of God, we are not to trust in the things made by men’s hands or hold great admiration for them.

We as believers in this wicked world should never trust in the city or country in which we dwell, believing it will shield us. David in Psalm 20:7 states “some trust in chariots and horses, but we trust in the Lord our God!” Isaiah 40 teaches God elevates as well as destroys kingdoms at will; therefore, we learn we should never anchor hope in them, only in our Lord. God is condemning the people in verse 17, back in Jeremiah, for trusting in Jerusalem’s might when they should only trust in Him.

Verse 20 refers to a people who are not inductively listening to God’s Holy Word. They are equipped to do so with ears and eyes, but they use them not. God in verse 22 reveals they are not fearing or trembling before their all-consuming God. Philippians 2:12 warns us that we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. These two verses, one in the Old and one in the New Testament, should educate us on how we must reverence God who is not to be taken for granted!

As we travel further into the passage, we see the omnipotence of God displayed. He has made sure that the sea has boundaries even during a storm. If one desires to buy an ocean-side home, they should investigate where God’s established boundaries have proven to be steadfast. He controls all and nothing lies outside His declared limits. When my husband and I were in Aruba on our 25th wedding anniversary, Hurricane Ivan struck fiercely removing the stretching man-made beaches, which reestablished the shoreline to its original God-created boundaries.

In verse 23, God further explains His omnipotence in creation. He gives rain in its season, both autumn and spring rains for our harvest time. That is why we observe Thanksgiving, thanking Him for the abundance of food He allows men to reap in the fall; as well as remembering the Pilgrims and His blessings of provision bestowed upon them.

God does not always bless people with harvest. We hear often of drought in other nations. Here God is saying He is withholding these good things from them due to their sin; verse 25. Obedience produces blessings of harvest, sin eliminates many blessings.

Verses 26 and 27 reveal there were wicked men among them, those who take advantage of others and therefore have become great and rich. Sounds like many politicians today who support godless lobbies for their contributions. Yes! Often these lobbies are orchestrated to remove the privileges of the righteous by eradicating moral laws of uprightness. Some lobbyist agendas include allowing evil to reign through the murder of unborn babies. These same people will also lobby for homosexual rights and for promiscuity to be displayed legally. The ACLU fights to allow pornography to be put before children. Many of these groups lobby angrily also in hopes of removing Christ and the Bible from all government domains.

We observe these wicked ones in Jeremiah’s time also did not care for the lowly such as orphans who need special love and attention. They do not defend the rights of the poor. This resembles politics also as the rich often gain the greatest tax breaks not the average working person. Married people have been penalized for not living in sin. If they had chosen this sinful lifestyle, they would have received a greater levy break. People being overtaxed by politicians pay increases for government programs that leave no advantageous mark. This is an unremitting complaint.

God states again in verse 29 that He has a right to avenge as He has listed many sins that are reigning in this kingdom.

Verse 30 concludes this chapter as God exposes that the priests were ruling on their own authority, not God’s. They obviously were not using the scriptures for exhorting, or they bent and twisted them to justify their personal doctrines. These Jews loved hearing priests and prophets who refused to dig deep into the true ways of God.

This is also a warning to us to be cautious of whom we sit under for doctrinal exhortation. 1 John 4:1 implores us to test the spirits to see if they are from God as there are many false teachers or prophets. A true teacher will present a totally Biblical Christ without changing Him to conform to an unrighteous society.

Jeremiah Chapter 6

Chapter 6 is directed to the tribe of Benjamin, whose God-bequeathed area included the prominent city of Jerusalem. Other close cities are also cited as Babylonian targets of war. The Lord is revealing to them that destruction is coming even to the Holy City of Jerusalem.

As we travel further into the passage we see God will not be partial in this judgment as even the loveliest and dainty lady will not escape His wrath. This dainty lady represents Jerusalem and she will be cut throughout by Babylonian annihilation.

Babylon’s intelligent military strategy is reveled in verses 3-6, coming dressed as shepherds, or so it appears, to scout out the land. Who will suspect these disguised ones with their sheep? They determine to attack at noon and night for best advantage. At noon, people would possibly be eating, therefore not alert. In the evening, the enemy can hide in the thickness of the black night. It will be at night that they attack the palaces, which would most likely have posted sentries who can be caught off-guard by stealthy maneuvering.

God has declared that Jerusalem must be punished for its oppression! She is wicked, verse 7, as “violence and destruction are heard in her.”

God has attempted other methods of discipline as parents might try with disobedient children. Sickness and wounds did not cause the Jews to repent as Jeremiah 2:20 reveals. God was striking their sons but to no avail. The verse discloses they accepted no chastening.

In the Corinthian church, members were sick and dieing due to sin and it seemed Christ’s chastening brought no repentance, as death was amongst them; 1 Corinthians 11:30. It is good to perform spiritual checks to see if our lives are lining up with the Word and not the world. God is a God who disciplines His children out of love and concern for corrective purposes; Hebrews 12:5-11. He dislikes stretching forth His hand that inflicts severe pain, but will if necessarily.

God warns the Jews in Jeremiah that He will alienate Himself from them and will make their land without inhabitant; verse 8. It is not a pleasant thing when God deserts His people. And it will not be a fun time when they are removed from their homes and land to dwell with the heathen who have little or no knowledge of the Holy One.

God will not leave any person in the land. He will remove all, as one who moves their hand over a vine to insure all fruit is gathered for harvest; verse 9.

Even though Jeremiah persistently warns these Jews from a loving heart that reveals God’s love and concern, they refuse to listen, as their ears are closed; verse 10.

The last phrase of verse 10 is quite insightful as the Word of the Lord has become a reproach to them; they have no delight in it!

How many believers today do not delight in the Word of God and even dislike much of its poignant teachings? How many Christians actually cherish having time to study and rejoice in the Holy Scriptures? If they do not, this type of attitude is very distasteful in the mouth of our righteous Christ.

Amongst the persecuted church, the Word of God is very precious like sought after diamonds! In a magazine that tells of persecution, I saw a photo of women secretly huddled in a crawl space for Bible study. They praise and learn of God in the darkness. They know they can be imprisoned or murdered for their faith. Yet, they are very hungry for the Word and are willing to take the chance for Bible study and fellowship. Would you meet in a crawl space to hear God’s Word without all the worldly allurement that American churches entice people with today?

The government churches are safe places to worship for the Chinese, but they are not the on-fire churches that meet in a crawl space, in an attic or out in the forest. Yet, these are the churches that thrive in number without a fancy stage and sensual rock music with special lighting. These faithful Orientals simply sing to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in their hearts to the Lord; Ephesians 5:13. Most often, it must be done quietly so no one turns them in.

America’s churches have a very different flavor as most pastors tell many jokes to add to an atmosphere that says, “we are worldly, come and join us” just to keep the people coming back for more entertainment that resembles their favorite television show. It seems churches desire people feel right at home, just as if they never left their television sets of entertainment. Pastors seem to believe this moves their churches to a prominent known-spot in the community of success with numbers of lukewarm believers, or even unsaved filling the pews. The church means the called-out ones, true believers, but pastors don’t care as long as numbers are high on the charts like the latest released Christian music CD.

Those who are truly on-fire for the Word need no worldly externals just the deep preaching of the Scripture. If our churches were revived and set apart from all worldliness, with only on-fire members, what a difference these churches would make in America. In Revelation chapter 3, Christ proclaims that He is going to vomit the Laodicean believers out of His mouth as they were not on-fire, simply lukewarm. We read in Revelation 1:20 that the seven churches disclosed in this book are represented by seven lampstands that can be removed as we witness with the Ephesus church; Revelation 2:5. Christ further states of the Laodiceans, that they required the refining fire to enable them to walk in white garments; white being the symbol of purity and holiness. The whiteness denotes the opposite of following after cultural sensual allurements that leave stains of unrighteousness. However, numbers are too important for today’s secular-minded churches as more numbers reveal importance and prominence just like corporate success.

Does not God have a right to judge us, as He did Israel that no longer took the Word seriously when it came to separating from society’s influence and sensual allurements for personal gain and fame? Israel also saw no reason to absorb the whole Word of God in all seriousness, reverent respect, honor and obedience.

Most churches desire activities advertised such as game, video or dance nights; these appeal to the world or so they falsely believe. I believe the persecuted church reveals truth that sincere dedicated believers just desire the Word taught and a chance to participate in sacrificial service. It is through being victimized that these fellowships are growing in very large numbers not cultural fun! The church is to be equipping the saints for Christian service not social fun in the sun. No where can you locate a silly command for social activities in the Word.

Churches are so silly and if you don’t think the world sees how silly they are then think again. I believe they do and this keeps people from wanting to hear the true Gospel message when it is brought to them.

Today’s pastors don’t desire to be obedient, going out to preach the Word on street corners and in public places, so they turn their churches into social entertainment recreational centers. They think this will somehow appease our most holy and righteous Christ. Do pastors really think God is so stupid to approve when He reigns in all holiness and decency with no compromise of evil!

The persecuted Hmong people of the Orient run from village to village with the Gospel though it often times means death or imprisonment. They aren’t afraid of what people think! They are the despised slave race of China brutally abused by those who see them as socially unacceptable. The women wear modest clothing, a head covering in worship and the services are humble and lowly; very pleasing to our humble and lowly Christ! The lust and delight of the eyes is not important for their services that often meet in the forest’s seclusion.

J. Vernon McGee, who has gone to be with the Lord, shared on his recorded broadcast this week, how desperate churches have become for numbers. He spoke of a pastor who dressed as a clown in the pulpit every Sunday and told jokes to attract people to his fellowship. He also told of a church that brought in a strip-teaser to perform, to entice outsiders. Does God not have the right to judge America as He did Israel?

Verse 11 reveals Jeremiah’s disappointment over Israel’s lack of love for God’s Word as he says he is full of the wrath of the Lord and he is weary of holding it in. Jeremiah formerly was concerned for the fate of his people; now he sees the reality of their sin and wants judgment. He states their many sins, including being greedy for gain. The church leaders even partook; verse 13.

Are not pastors greedy for gain, as they want the greatest numbers in attendance in church no matter the compromise with culture? This also provides a large comfortable salary for all pastors. Though our pastors should be paid for working diligently in the ministry, some pastors today are paid way beyond what they perform. Many pastors will not evangelize outside the church, engage in congregational visitation, or hold other services outside of one Sunday sermon. Having a long rock concert with shallow non-convicting Christian lyrics, and a short please-all sermon is basically the extent of many a pastor’s service in the church. Oh, and yes, with a bit of counseling thrown in for good measure.

Of course, members participate in this mind-set as well, wanting to be in a large church which they can brag about. How many of us, when we hear of a church, ask how many people are attending in order to know how sizeable it is, so we can judge its worldly success? We are silly and sinful too!

How many people parade their business in church for greedy gain or attend church only for trade-success? Does God not have a right to judge us too!

Verse 15, truly lays it on the line as punishment is due, as the Jews no longer even know how to blush! Blushing is prudish and seen in America as something to be made fun of; yet, very commendable in God’s economy. A person can lose their ability to blush in today’s society by just watching a couple hours of television with its immodest and immoral ways. Christian videos don’t always promote modesty as well. Modesty in the Greek means “dressing in bashfulness towards men and in the fear of God” according to Strong’s Concordance of old. Women are commanded to dress so in the New Testament. If people aren’t acting modest, dressing modest and walking in all moral uprightness, they should not be set before our eyes in the name of entertainment. We are to set no evil thing before our eyes!

Immoral people are not to be allowed in church either. Believers are not permitted to associate with those who say they believe, but are living immoral lives; 1 Corinthians 5:9-12 and 6:9-11.

In verse 16, we perceive staying with the ancient paths is most important. This may sound very old fashioned for those who want the new and exciting roads. But new and exciting roads are ever changing and never bring lasting satisfaction. New roads are always sought, as the old ones become classified as out-of-date. God reveals, however, people will find rest for their souls if they follow His ancient path. NO path of this world gives rest to the soul!

Holding to the ancient paths would be the ones the great patriarchs, prophets and apostles followed. Jeremiah was certainly one who held to the ancient path and reaped spiritual blessings despite the rejection and hatred cast upon him by God’s lukewarm people.

God’s Words are never old fashioned in His economy of truth. Christians may reject those passages they consider not for a hip and styling generation, but all were given in wisdom and are enduring in the eyes of our most holy and separated God who never changes. God views the ancient paths of wise pursuit as “the good way,” or we might say the good street. If we walk this road, we grasp in Psalm 101:3 that He pardons our iniquities and heals all our diseases. We have noticed throughout the book of Jeremiah that this is the yearning of God as He desires to remove His chastening hand. Blessing and healing arise from obeying this “good way.”

We also perceive in James 5:16 that we can be healed of disease if we confess our sins, seeing sin in light of the ancient paths. Of course, God can say no if the disease will bring Him glory or it is our time to leave this world, which is passing away with its lusts.

We notice at the end of this verse that God’s children are not interested in the ancient proven ways of God’s holy truth. They want to emulate the styling society of their time, a society who sees God as old-fashioned, not fun and entertaining.

Walking further into this section, the consequences of facing the invading Babylonian army reappear. The Lord proclaims in verse 19 that this disaster is the fruit of their plans. Not plans ordained by the Lord. We can note an example of reaping harmful fruit if we turn to Luke 12:16-21. Here a rich man had reaped an immense substance of crops that he stored in great barns, but he did not even begin to imagine that he could fall dead that night with no eternal hope, as he invested naught in the eternal fruits of God; but only in the fruits of materialistic earthly accumulation.

In Jeremiah verse 20, we see that the offerings of the people to God are meaningless. Why? They did not give because they loved the Lord with all their hearts, souls and minds and His Word. It speaks of them offering to God even costly goods such as frankincense that came all the way from Sheba, which was in SW Arabia and sugarcane which was shipped in from the tropics. We know fragrant frankincense is a significant gift of kings as it was presented to Christ after his birth, which we read in Luke 2:1-12. Even though these gifts cited in Jeremiah were considered elaborate, they were rejected by God as He knew the hearts of His people were not pure and holy and given solely over to Him.

God makes it be known again, in verse 21 of Jeremiah, that His people will perish without any partiality as fathers, sons, neighbors and friends will all die. More verses follow that elaborate on this catastrophe, as Babylon comes in with great fierceness. Terror will be on every side and their lamentations will be most bitter. If you will turn to Lamentations, the following book and also penned by Jeremiah, you will read how Jeremiah felt following the reality of this aftermath when it actually arrived.

In Lamentations 1:1-2 we witness Jeremiah pouring out his heart as Jerusalem is now desolate, a city that once was great is no more. This is no longer prophecy into the future but living reality of sadness and gloom for Jeremiah; lamenting over the land and people of God. We also witness Jeremiah is broken in spirit over the fact that his people are now forced laborers under King Nebuchadnezzar.

Returning to Jeremiah, verses 27-30, God has given Jeremiah the task of assayer. He is to judge the purity of the Jews in their allegiance to the Lord. We see in these verses that they have no valuable qualities. They possess rebellious hearts and they gossip. They tell tales on each other, probably most not even true. It’s interesting how we can make people look bad by adding or subtracting from facts. Many people like to tell tales so they will be liked for the negative knowledge they hold on others or supposedly do. Some people relish sitting with the office worker who enjoys making fun of the boss.

I remember being so discouraged when I had recently began attending a church, years ago and was invited to a gathering of members. It ended up not being a place I desired to be as they had roast-pastor’s-wife for lunch. Everything was stated in spite; yet, nothing of major consequence was spoken. They just wanted to make her look bad without the ingredients. As a new attendee, sitting out in an attached room not knowing the people well, I was taken back and hurt that respected people in the church where engaging in this.

I knew a lady in upstate New York who had been delivered from gossip after a speaker spoke at her church in the power of conviction. She was the church gossip until she repented that night. I knew her after this happening and she was most sweet and kind. I would have never guessed her previous occupation, gossiper. God certainly washes us whiter than snow when we allow Him to.

Verse 28 speaks of the Israelites being bronze and iron, not costly gold. They held corruptible sins within. Purity of substance could not be ascertained in these people. God is attempting to discipline them as we saw in Jeremiah 5:3 and elsewhere, but they will not submit no matter the pain of spankings. We note in the New Testament also that discipline should bring forth gold, that is, a more righteous lifestyle.

In verse 29 of this section, we set our eyes on the fact that no matter the refining God is performing, the wicked are not separated. God desires a holy separated people; that is why He called out His chosen ones from Egypt. He calls Christians today from the unsaved population.

Christ refines believers today as well, but some do not respond no matter the consequences. They do not desire to separate their actions from unbiblical ways. Separation is crucial in refinery purification as we witness in the NT. In 2 John 9-11, God desired a separated church. The members of the church were told not to let anyone in the door who did not hold to and abide in the teachings of Christ. This insured separation from false teachers, those who did not take the Word of God seriously.

Jeremiah Chapter 7

I would like to quote J. Vernon McGee from the March 2004 news letter of Thru the Bible:

“We are living in a day when men think they can rush into the presence of God and treat the Lord Jesus as if He is just a buddy. May I say to you that He is high and holy and lifted up. If He should appear in your church next Sunday morning, nobody would rush up to Him; nobody would become familiar with Him! Everybody would go down on their faces before Him. That is the picture the Word of God gives.

No one was as close to Him on earth as was His disciple, John. John would come to Him and make suggestions. The Lord Jesus never asked for advice, nor did He follow man’s advice, but John was there to give it. Then in the Upper Room, John even reclined on His bosom. He was familiar with Him. But, my friend, when he saw the glorified Christ on the Isle of Patmos, he fell at his feet as dead (Revelation 1:17), He did not rush into His presence.”

As we have been studying Jeremiah, we have noticed Judah has become too familiar with God; no longer fearing His wrath that falls upon the ungodly. They believe God is all grace and since they are His chosen people, no judgment will arise from their disobedience. They believe they have eternal life as His children and therefore how they behave is of no relevance. It is easy believe-ism not reality.

Today, salvation is very much emphasized in Christianity, but making Jesus lord or master often is not. Romans 10:9 proclaims that if we confess Jesus as Lord, and believe in our heart God raised Him from the dead, then we will be saved.

In many churches today a godly reverential atmosphere is not found. The fact that we are coming to worship a holy, righteous and elevated God is not emphasized. Making no one feel uncomfortable is often today’s goal; presenting a “non-threatening atmosphere” is all the rage in today’s Christianity. Well, in this Jewish area of the Southern Kingdom, it appears the only one who truly understood God’s holy ways was Jeremiah who refused to follow the crowd and suffered by their evil hands. He chose to be peculiar and separate no matter the cost of not being trendy and the only one who pursued in a holy manner.

As we enter verse one, we leave the Hebrew poetry of the last few chapters and return to the narrative. In this verse God has commanded Jeremiah to go to the gate of the Lord’s house AKA the temple to proclaim His truths.

God tells His disobedient people who are coming to the temple to worship Him; to amend their ways and deeds so they can continue to live in the land; verses 1-3.

Today, I feel we need some Jeremiahs to stand outside of today’s houses of worship to implore believers to turn from lukewarmness and worldly ways, exhorting them to be on-fire for Christ and His holy ways of living according to the Bible alone.

In verse 4, Jeremiah proclaims that they should not rest in the fact that the temple is there in Jerusalem, believing it to be a fetish of protection. The false teachers were telling the people that God would not destroy Solomon’s Temple as that is where God dwelt, but God does not dwell in things made by man’s hands, as nothing can contain God’s greatness and immenseness; 1 Kings 8:27. The highest heaven cannot hold the person of God. Even though the heavens contain planets that are trillions of years away, this massive expanse is not impressive to God who cannot be contained in all the heavens. We simply can’t even begin to imagine how big God is. We know from Isaiah 66:1 that the heaven is God’s throne and the earth is His footstool. In the scheme of things, we know the earth does not even show up as a dot in comparison to the large planets in the distant universe.

Believers today may believe God will not bring judgment on America due to the fact we are covered in churches, but we cannot rest on that which God has not stated. God sees the hearts of those who frequent the church buildings. He is not interested in the structures, no matter their beheld beauty, set within state-of-the-art design and staging. He knows if the hearts of those who are attending are wholly obedient to His inerrant Word or not.

In verse 5, God gives the provision for their lasting protection, as it rests solely on their obedience to Him. If they are to stay within His hedge of protection, they must repent or amend their ways and follow His statutes.

The edicts of God from verses 5-6:

1. They must practice justice between a man and his neighbor.

2. They must not oppress the alien, the orphan or widow.

3. They must not shed innocent blood.

4. They must not take on the beliefs of false religions or false gods.

These certainly resemble the Ten Commandments of Deuteronomy chapter 5. Roman 13:9 reemphasizes God’s Laws that represent the ancient and true paths. Deuteronomy 5 states the whole of the commandments. They are to be taken seriously. The only New Testament change is there is no longer a mention of holding to the Sabbath as we note in Romans 13:9, as we now worship on Sunday apart from Jewish requirements. We worship in recognition of the fact Christ arose on the first day of the week.

Loving our neighbor as oneself would fall with injunctions 1-3, according to me, though most wouldn’t put three in this same category.

The first injunction commands us to practice true justice; we don’t take sides according to who we like the most, rather than according to facts of truth. I took part in a trial recently, being a juror for a drunk driving case where the evidence was greatly mounted against the defendant. In defense of this deadly man who came close to taking lives, a science professor from Northwest Nazarene University attempted to disprove the charges. He was introduced as one who should be respected, being on staff at a Christian university. And who could dispute the fact that he was exceptionally educated? This NNU professor attempted to get the wicked defendant off by trying to prove without success that intoxicator testing equipment is defective. Others testified showing dependability without a doubt.

I was very disturbed by this professor’s incident of defense for I do not believe dangerous people should drive on the roads, those who obviously care for no one but themselves. This accused man maneuvered down several paths in an attempt to gain our sympathy through deceptive tactics and lying. This was the man’s second arrest for driving “under the influence.” By God’s grace, he was found guilty by every juror.

Focusing in on injunction two, God’s unconditional love for others must be practiced in today’s churches. Partiality is sin! Romans 12:16 commands us to not be haughty in mind, or in other words we are not to think we are any better than others. We are to associate with the lowly or those who no one else would want to be with due to various factors such as being mentally challenged, not stylish in dress, not attractive, uneducated, so on and so on. We are not to take part in any evil behavior of elitism.

We should not desire to dwell with the most popular in our churches or the rich or the beautiful, as this all represents vanity. We are to love those who love Christ, His Word and walk obediently with no desired perks.

Injunction three would represent any hate we would have toward another. The Bible makes it clear that hatred resembles murder; Matthew 5:21-22. Christ compared murder to hatred and even stated one who says “You fool, shall be guilty enough to go into fiery hell.”

Contemplating the fourth, we know “not walking after other gods” or religions certainly pertains to us today. This would include not following after any worldly or empty philosophy—Colossians 2:8 and 1Timothy 6:20. We don’t follow any teaching we hear in the media or from society that does not represent the total truth and example set in Scripture. We don’t adhere to false religious beliefs in the name of acceptance or tolerance. This is all evil and wicked in God’s eyes. The ecumenical movement is not of Christ!

Verse 8 should speak to every one of us in warning, as they were “trusting in deceptive words.” Deceptive words have no eternal value nor do they aid the believer in becoming more conformed into the image of Christ. We must pray continually for spiritual discernment so the words and ways of man never become a part of us.

Verse 9 is the 10 commandments restated in a one verse—condensed form. Adultery and stealing are the only ones added that were not stated in verses 5-6.

Adultery, as we know from Christ, also involves desiring any woman or man one is not married to. In the marriage vowels it is stated that all others are to be forsaken. That is what Christ meant; never wondering if another will meet one’s needs to a more fulfilling degree.

The church commits adultery as much as the world. The divorce rate is even higher! Marriage until death is not adhered to seriously in the church nor was it in the time of Jeremiah. Bearing the heart of Hosea is considered old fashioned. When Gomer was unfaithful to Hosea, Hosea stayed faithful to Gomer praying for her repentance for years. Hosea represented God’s faithfulness to sinful Israel and exampling how we need to be faithful even when we are wronged in marriage.

God can always work miracles through prayer. We are bound to our mates as long as we live; 1 Corinthians 7:39. Often when one remarries, they still will speak of one or more past mates depending on the case, and often will continue a friendship with a former husband or wife. Bonding just doesn’t go away through taking a new set of marriage vowels.

Personally, if I had been born a man (what a thought!) and called to the pastorate, I could never remarry divorced people. It is impossible for any pastor to know if any person was completely not at fault in a divorce situation. Pastors do not live with their congregational members 24/7 to see if there might be another side to them. Sometimes even Christians will withhold sex for power or to get what one wants, thus leaving another to be endangered through temptation. Many tricks can be played in a marriage. I know because I have counseled various women. Only God knows if one is completely innocent and godly in all ways.

Stealing is taking possession of what never belonged to them. Returning money to a store when we realize we received too much change is a witness in honesty. Stealing can also involve a business charging way too much for items for the purpose of taking advantage of others. Putting oneself first is what invokes a person to steal. We need to trust God for our increase through honesty not using worldly methods to increase our pocketbook beyond His will.

Verse 11, is one of the verses from Jeremiah that is quoted in the New Testament. We know Christ was very disheartened by the temple or the house of prayer’s activities, as it was being misused for personal gain; Mark 11:17.

We can see many similarities between the temple and churches today. They were both to be:

1. A house of prayer

2. A house of worship

3. A house of singing

4. A house of giving money in offering

5. A house of speaking God’s Holy Words

Yes, there are many differences too. But nowhere in Scripture do we witness any commands for the church or temple to be doing that which is not given as an example to follow in the Word. We are not to add or subtract from God’s Word.

Buying things in the church, I believe is an abomination. Christ did not want merchandise items being carried through the temple (Mark 11:16) and I don’t believe He wants sold goods being carried in the church. This is not part of its called function.

The only example we have in Scripture is that of collecting money. We have no examples of raffles, selling items for the youth group, etc. We are to give to God because we love Him not because we want to win a quilt or whatever the case may be. We aren’t to use the world’s methodologies in the church. This is silly! I know Christ would not buy a raffle ticket so He could promote a church program. It is blaspheme to even think such a thing of our Savior who has nothing to do with worldly ways, which He will eventually completely destroy. We are never to add or subtract from scriptural ways!

Promoting one’s business in church does not glorify God and it brings the world into the church. The church should be a place of escape from the world’s ways and dealings. It should also only imitate Christ’s holy the wise ways of conduct never society’s. The church appears so stupid when it imitates the world.

Verse 12 represents sarcasm for this people who believe God would never allow the place of worship to be destroyed. God basically challenges them to visit Shiloh if they don’t believe. Shiloh was in the Northern Kingdom in Ephraim and was destroyed by the Assyrians. Joshua 18:1 speaks of how Shiloh was the original place of worship for the Jews when they entered the Promised Land.

This was where they set the tabernacle for the people to worship before the temple was constructed in Jerusalem. It was a sacred place to the Jews. God calls them to remember that He made His name dwell there at the first.

Verse 13 refers to God’s love and care, for He rose up early to remind them of Himself. He called to them but they paid no heed! He was diligent in His love; they were not.

Because they paid no heed, verse 14, God is going to bring judgment on the people by destroying the temple just as He did Shiloh. He is going to cast them out of His sight; verse 15. He doesn’t desire to be with His disobedient children—the compromisers.

God gets very harsh with these people in verse 16, as He commands Jeremiah not to pray for these people anymore. God will not listen as they have fallen away from the true path of moral uprightness. 1 John 5:16 tells New Testament believers not to pray for the sin leading to death. This could be deliberate disobedience to God on a continual basis, as we see here with these people who maintain a great hardness of heart to the voice of God.

In verses 17-18 God asks Jeremiah a question in regards to His command to Jeremiah to no longer pray for his brethren. God knows a question mark has been placed in this man’s mind, as he asks “How come.” The LORD wants Jeremiah to live in reality of how evil these people have become by further explaining that they worship other gods and are not faithful only to Him. Just as we want our mates to be faithful and true to us in marriage, God wants His people to only hold to His ways and not be influenced by the world. He doesn’t want us following the crowd. Parents today tell their children not to do as others do; yet, the parents themselves run after every trendy thing and philosophy that tickles yuppie ears. This is the type of thing Jeremiah had to deal with— people being blind to their own wicked ways that were silly and obvious.

In verse 18 we see the “queen of heaven” mentioned. This is satan’s disguise in the form of a woman. Venus and the goddess Diana held this title also. In New Testament times the false Mary of the Catholic Church assumed this title for worship. This is one of her names and why she so often is pictured with a crown on her head.

The Lies of Idolatry:

The Queen of Heaven is one of Mary’s titles in Catholicism. She is the Catholics’ intercessor. Their doctrine holds to the belief that she was taken up to heaven while alive. Satan disguises himself in the image of a false Mary.

You can locate many heresies in the teachings of Catholicism that worships those the church elevates as saints. They appeal to different saints according to their needs. They will lie and say they do not, but they do!

Ourladyweb.com/mary-prayer.html

On the next to last page of info at the above link, you will notice Mother Teresa signed a petition to make Mary one who redeems with Christ. God’s Word states: “There is one God and one mediator between God and man, Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5) Mother Teresa was a pagan idolatress, a heretic, whom satan used. She tried to appear Christian to persuade people into her false religion.

This is a portion of a Catholic website, two separate inner sites, with inapplicable quotes removed:

Mary is the Queen of Heaven:
The kingdom of heaven belongs to believers.
Since Mary is the first and best Christian,
we call her ‘Queen of Heaven’.

More of their heresies:

When Jesus was crucified on the cross and about to die for our sins, Jesus, himself, gave His mother to us as our mother and all of us to His mother as her children my home. “I am the Queen Of Peace. I am the Mother Of God. I am the Mother of All People On Earth”. Our Lady to the Visionaries in Medugorje

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This next paragraph reveals how people can be sucked into this religion as some truth is stated. A bit of the true Gospel is presented to recruit those who are not solid Christians. Remember Mary only remained a virgin up to the time of Christ’s birth and the Bible states she had other children, four sons and daughters; Matthew 13:55-56. She was not sinless and she calls God her Savior in Luke 1:47. The Bible exposes her godliness, but never places her on a pedestal above other humans. Even in Christ’s day they tried to elevate this woman saying blessed is the woman from whom Christ was born. The LORD countered this Catholic mind-set by stating on the contrary, blessed is everyone who hears God’s words and obeys (Luke 11:27-28).

False doctrines mixed in with true. (Remember it only takes one drop of poison to make a large glass of clear water poisonous.) “Because when we disrespect the Immaculate Heart Of Mary as the Immaculate Conception (Mary was sinless), Mother Of God, our Eternal Mother, etc., in doing so we in turn disrespect the Sacred Heart of her Son as well…Yes, us Catholics are Christians, are saved, and someday will be in heaven with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I know this to be true because Jesus made this promise to all of us in His word, the Bible.”

“Mary is our intercessor: To ‘intercede’ means to pray for someone. We believe that people in heaven can still pray for us, and that applies to Mary first of all.”

Here is another website quoting the Catholic beliefs of Mary:

www.cephasministry.com/virginmary.html

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History: Apocryphal writings fueled Mary-worship with their claims of her sinlessness and perpetual virginity. In 431 A.D., the Council of Ephesus dubbed Mary the “mother of God.” Fifth- and sixth- century veneration of Mary can be traced directly to Ephesus and the false goddess Diana. By the 13th and 14th centuries the medieval Church saw Mary as a source of grace and power, a mediator who could keep God, the vengeful judge, from striking down sinful mankind.

At the Council of Trent in 1546, the veneration of Mary became official Catholic doctrine. She was declared sinless, and in 1854 Pope Pius IX added that her conception was immaculate as well, preserving her from original sin. The Vatican Council of 1870 ratified Mary’s immaculate conception and further stated that the popes were infallible.

Newsweek Magazine, August 15, 1997. “40,383 signatures attached to a petition asking the pope to exercise the power of papal infallibility to proclaim a new dogma of Roman Catholic faith: that the Virgin Mary is “Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix of All Graces and Advocate for the People of God. In the last four years, the pope has received 4,340,429 signatures from 157 countries – an average of 100,000 a month – supporting proposed dogma. Among notable supporters are Mother Teresa of Calcutta, nearly 500 bishops and 42 cardinals, including John O’Connor of New York…If the drive succeeds, Catholics would be obliged as a matter of faith to accept three extraordinary doctrines: that Mary participates in the redemption achieved by her son, that all graces that flow from the suffering and death of Jesus Christ are granted only through Mary’s intercession with her son, and that all prayers and petitions from the faithful on earth must likewise flow through Mary, who then brings them to the attention of Jesus “This is what theologians call high Mariology, and it seems to contradict the basic New Testament belief that “there is one God and one mediator between God and man, Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5) [Interesting, the media is even taking a stand and quoting Scripture].

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The odd thing concerning Catholicism is its followers will lie and tell you they don’t pray to Mary. I was lied to by a Catholic lady who slowly tried to lead me into her religion, pretending to be a Christian. Catholics lie for recruitment purposes. They introduce people to Mary, slowly, sucking them into their idolatrous religion that appears to be filled with powerful grandeur. Many cults follow the same path; lying about their true beliefs to present a palatable religion that feeds the flesh.

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The virgin birth is completely key in Christendom, but not from the Catholic perspective. Unfortunately, the virgin birth is rarely even emphasized in today’s Christianity, even around Christmas time. This is due to the fact that chastity and modesty have become a joke within Christianity that follows Hollywood minded sexual agendas and craves New Age mysticism. A couple newer Bible translations have removed “virgin” from the texts involving Christ’s birth, and another makes the miraculous conception questionable. “Virgin” is in the ancient manuscripts and it is impossible to hold it in question. A few new version translations have “only begotten Son” omitted from John 3:16, for sales purposes. Today’s publishers want all faiths buying their Bibles. These newer changes, over several decades, have occurred because the church is apostate and bound in the ecumenical movement. Very sad indeed. Please check your Bible. KVJ, NKJV, and the older NASB (not revised) are good translations.

Verse 20 discloses God’s attributes of anger and wrath, as He is a God who hates all sin!!! We will witness these attributes in their fullest power when His wrath and anger are unleashed in the last days. This anger and wrath, being generated in Jeremiah’s time, is due to the fact, the people spite God, verse 19. There is no true reverential respect and acknowledgement.

Today, it is very rare to find reverence for God in many churches for many believe loud volume and ecstatic excitement must preside. Many who remember former days and the represented reverence when one came to worship, are saddened by the pop-cultural changes.

Loud is quite key to the culture of America—the world that we are not to love and imitate. If you speak to restaurant owners, they will tell you this is what America thrives on today, disclosing how they must have many televisions for all to view and loud rock music playing.

I believe America wants to hide in noise to blot out her increasing sins. Unsaved society and even believers don’t desire to think of a wrath to come that will be poured out on all ungodliness through a completely holy and righteous God who died for all sin. And every transgression is vile in His sight. That is why our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, had to be sacrificed for us; even to the place where men could not even look upon him; but desired to hide instead. He was so distorted by his torturers; Isaiah 53:1-6. He was even crushed!

I also believe Christ was not comely when He trod this earth as he had no appearance that men should be drawn to Him; Isaiah 53:2. Today, everything seems to rest on attractiveness and the worldly allurements attached to this, but such vanities had no value in the eyes of our humble and lowly Christ.

God’s anger explained here in Jeremiah reveals all will feel it, from man, beast, trees and fruit. Remember in Jonah 4:11 when Nineveh repented, God revealed how many animals were spared from His wrath. They too had to be covered in sackcloth to reveal repentance; Jonah 3:8.

In the concluding phrase of verse 20, it states how this anger and wrath will burn and not be quenched. Fire is certainly the way of God’s judgment as we view throughout scripture even to the end when everyone’s name that was not found in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire; Revelation 20:15. How sad that many pastors rarely preach on the anger and wrath attributes of God in this day and age of fun-seekers. The saved truly must understand the state of the lost in order for the church to go out and present the Gospel in effectiveness.

Verse 21 confronts the Jews in their heart attitude of sacrificing to God. They just performed it out of service not because they truly loved their Savior. The burnt sacrifices, unlike the thanksgiving peace sacrifices, were not be eaten; Leviticus chapters 4-9. I believe God says go ahead and eat flesh because they were not offered through sin-awareness and a love for God. These vain bestowments meant nothing to God.

We must be sure when we give to God that our sacrifices are done out of love for God and not just because we feel we have too. The New Testament makes it plain that our giving must not be done out of despairing obligation. We know also that unbelievers must not give because they do not love God; their actions are not mingled with a proper pure heart that has been washed in the blood of Christ. They have not been made white as snow.

In the book of 3rd John, we read the evangelists were above reproach; one visible reason is they took nothing from the Gentiles. Gentile giving is an abomination to God—having unsaved and unwashed people placing money in a collection device. This is why pastors, evangelists and missionaries must be careful when it comes to offerings.

Verse 22 speaks of God’s understanding and grace; this visualized when He first brought them out of Egypt. He did not lay on them immediately all the sacrifices and offerings He would require, He just asked them to obey Him. These sacrificial laws came later, as they continued to follow.

We see something similar to this in the New Testament—Acts 15:19-21 James the head elder of the church of Jerusalem, tells the believers not to trouble those turning to God, but to keep the commands simple for these new converts. He tells them, just command these new believers to stay away from things contaminated by idols, and pre-marital sex and from things strangled and from blood. These issuances mostly seem to deal with false worship. James tells new believers they need not worry about their growth as Moses is preached in the synagogues every Sabbath and they will be challenged and will mature. This obviously was before churches were established in most cities.

We also note in the following verses, back in Jeremiah, that they were unworthy to sacrifice due to the fact they were not walking in obedience. We see in verse 23 that obedience brings blessing. They were throwing away blessings through their disobedience.

Verse 24 is a revelation verse in proclaiming backsliding. We go back and not forward when we don’t obey the Lord completely. Many churches are backslidden from compromise and they lose out on the blessings of total obedience. This state occurs when leadership walks after their own counsel instead of scriptural ways. This happens when pastors look to model their churches after the world or society and not the holy Word.

We can do this as believes when we become stubborn thinking we know more than God, maybe because we watched some talk show that proclaimed much of the Bible to be old-fashioned. I love being old-fashioned personally and holding to the old, proven and true ways of God. Though, of course, I am in no way perfect; but I would love to grow more and more old-fashioned.

Verse 25 proclaims the unconditional love that we see God continually bestowing on these disobedient children of His. God out of His love and grace continually brought prophets to proclaim His ways even though they were unheeded. God made these prophets even rise early in the morning to go and preach because God loved His people so much.

God informs Jeremiah that these people will never listen to him; verse 27. Basically it would be akin to God telling a pastor he must preach every week to his people, but letting him know they will never give any heed to what he says.

The only reason Jeremiah must obey and proclaim is because God has to reveal His sacrificial love continually, whether people truly listen or not. We all must be informed on how much God loves us! Everyday God brings blessings to the unsaved, those who curse His name, just because He loves and died for all men. Most every person has a roof over his head, food and clothes to wear, simply because God wants to reveal His love for every person. Romans 2:4 reveals the kindness, patience and longsuffering of God leads us to repentance.

In verse 28, God tells Jeremiah to say that this nation did not obey God or accept correction as truth perished from them. James 5:16 commands us to confess our sins to each other so that we may be healed. We can be healed from the consequences of our sin through confessing our wrongdoings to God and each other. Proverbs 28:13 declares he who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will prosper. Israel was not willing to comply to this.

When we wonder from God, truth is cut off from our mouths because the Word of God is not being proclaimed through us. What comes out of our mouth when we disobey God is the rhetoric of the world and not the powerful Word.

Verse 29 commands, “cut off your hair and cast it away.” Cutting off their hair would reveal great mourning and sadness. Keeping their hair according to the Law was important to them and cutting it off was never a part of their Biblical culture unless it was to mourn. They were to mourn the fact that God has rejected this people and they were now the “generation of His wrath.”

Further verses declare their compromise with idols as they even seemed to be present in God’s temple. They acquired the popular religions of the world combining it with Judaism which was despicable in the eyes of God.

False religions even caused the Jews to burn their children in worship to the false gods; verse 31. We see in 2 Kings 23:10 that they sacrificed them to the false god Molech who was supposedly referred to as the protecting father. What a joke!

This is similar to Planned Parenthood who views themselves as a group needed to protect the family, also receiving government funds for massive income. Yet, they burn babies like the Jews in Jeremiah’s time. One popular method of abortion is saline solution burning and it is exercised in the name of the god of promiscuous sex, which Planned Parenthood and other liberal organizations promote.

Burning children was something so abominable to God that it never even entered His mind. Today, however, it is to be an acceptable evil that is even legalized in our nation and in many others. How incredible!

God continues to reveal that this sacred place of false worship, Topheth (west of Jerusalem, the place where they sacrificed their babies) will become a graveyard for the Jews. These false worshippers will be food for birds and beasts. In time of severe, violent war battles, taking the time to ship bodies back home is not a priority. My father-in-law, who served in WW11, speaks of the mountains of bodies of soldiers he witnessed. It took time to care for the bodies and fighting to survive and win battles was the priority.

Chapter 7 ends in sadness as the joy that is usually located within a thriving nation will come to an end, even the voice of joyful marriage.

Jesus Christ addressed end times in Matt. 24:36f, when people will be marrying, totally unaware that God’s judgment is soon falling.

Jeremiah Chapter 8 

We see in the first verse of chapter 8, not a pretty sight. It declares prophecy, when tombs will be opened and the dead drug out; kings, princes, priests, prophets and all those who once inhabited Jerusalem. In verse 2, it appears that all these deceased Judean Jews were those who worshipped the host of the heavens (stars, moon and sun). They were not faithful to holy God. They did not remain loyal to the Word of God; thus, a vile judgment upon their remains will be part of the Babylonian desecration as explained by Jeremiah.

Societies easily turn to animal-like tendencies when God is no longer desired as He is the one who convicts of sin and demands holy obedience through civilized behavior. It is easy for men to turn their attention to anything on the earth or in the heavens which does not condemn or expose; however, it is at the price of demoralization.

This all progresses into verse 3, which reveals death will be desired over life when judgment falls on Judah. Only a remnant will remain alive. Those of this remnant will have survived many atrocities that took their loved ones, neighbors, religious leaders, etc. The temple where they once worshipped will be razed to their dismay as well as their homes.

All this will result in the deepest plaguing depression. The desire for their own death will encompass their being as they are led captive to Babylon.

Verse 4 returns us to Hebrew poetry as God once again explains His reasons for His verdict. He covers the fact that they were not repenting even though they knew they were walking down a wrong path. They would not stop and turn back to return to the right road. They deliberately chose to stay lost in their wilderness of disobedience.

The “apostasy” that we witness throughout Jeremiah is restated here. God is pointing His finger at them in verse 5, as it is now a continual state of not staying true to their first love, the Lord their God.

As I have stated before, there are the apostasies of the churches which God continually exposes in the New Testament. All around us we witness it as well, as the church compromises to please sinful man adopting the ways of the world that accommodates sinful man. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 informs us the end-times-apostasy comes before the antichrist arrives on the earthly scene.

We see deceit accompanies this apostasy, as we return to Jeremiah. Their speech is not of Biblical truth. They speak what is not correct. They do not desire to speak words that are pleasing to the ears of the Lord. They obviously speak words that justify inappropriate thoughts and actions. Holiness is not their standard of conduct.

The hymn “May the Mind of Christ My Savior” reveals what the true desires should be for a believer in God. Verses one and two are poignant, “May the mind of Christ my Savior live in me from day to day, by His love and power controlling all I do and say. May the Word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour, so that all may see I triumph only through His power.” The children’s song “Be careful little eyes” what you see, ears hear, feet go and so on is a song that should be sung by adults as well as children on a regular basis as compromising apostasy engulfs so many churches.

 Continuing on to verse 6, God states everyone turned to his own course or did what was right in his own eyes. They charged into sin like a horse charges into battle. It was not an after thought, but true desired sought-after disobedience.

As we enter verse 7, we discover some of the points to God’s omnipotence that should keep all believers in check. If we would dwell on His wonders of creation, we would see disobedience to such an awesome God is truly foolish.

God tells us of His wonders of flight as we look at the stork in the sky, which is always a marvel to behold. Starks know what they are created to do. They know when they are to migrate, mate, etc. They don’t fight against their creator and His designed plan for their lives. Other added birds are the turtledove, swift and thrush, all uniquely and marvelously made. They too know their migration times.

There is nothing outside of God’s overruling control. The New Testament reveals God even knows when a sparrow falls to the earth. Matthew 6:26 and 10:29 reveal how our heavenly father feeds the birds of the air so they never want. God also lets us know we are of far more value then they. Mother Nature controls nothing, God controls everything!

God says His people don’t know the ordinances of God. But they should because even birds know their planned purpose. God’s people are to be well-versed in His Word; both the Old and New Testament emphasize this.

Alan and I had a teacher at Multnomah Bible College, Dr. John Mitchell, and he had the whole New Testament memorized and much of the Old. He knew the ordnances of God!  Unfortunately, it seems many believers know television programs and actors better than they know their Bible. How desperately foolish!

Verse 8, discloses they are deceiving themselves, but not actually. Everyone knows when they are being dishonest about their sin, even though they may deny it and act ignorant concerning it. Walking in denial does not mean they don’t recognize their sin; it is just that they refuse to deal with it and desire to appear innocent through a facade. Walking in denial has always revealed itself to be a false concept, being thus proven for me when I have counseled ladies—you get down to the nitty-gritty and truth prevails.

Many years ago, a teen came and spoke to Alan and me, as he had engaged himself in pedophilia acts. (We were involved in youth ministry for many years in the past) He acted as if he was in total denial not remembering what he had done. However, his words revealed he knew exactly what he had done. He was held accountable before God and the laws of the land even though he claimed mental-denial.

God reveals in Jeremiah how the wise men refuse to use the Word of God when they counsel. Many counselors today don’t just hold to the Bible. Most Christian counselors won’t even refer to it; how reminiscent of the wise men or counselors of Jeremiah’s day.  Today, counselors think the certified educated experts know more concerning relationships than God Himself. If counselors implemented the Bible, they would ensure far better results. Especially, if they made their clients memorize portions that pertain to their situation.

I must admit, that I am surprised how easily a Christian counselor will recommend divorce when Scripture holds the answers to the difficult situations of life. They also rarely or never state to a woman in a problem marriage, “If you leave your husband, you must remain single in accordance with Scripture or be reconciled;” 1 Cor. 7:11 and 39.

 
We see in verse 8, back in Jeremiah, that apart from God’s Word there is no true counsel, no true wisdom!! One can’t simply say “the law of the LORD is with us” and then teach contrary or implement man-made wisdom. You can not implement man-written books or manuals and expect righteousness and truth to be achieved. Only the Bible is the answer to everything.

God addresses the lying pen of the scribes in this verse. They certainly seemed to be adding and subtracting from the law when they wrote or spoke it. We see in the New Testament scribes not presenting truth as they should, coming against our Savior. Christ exposes their evil hearts in Matthew 23:27f. It appears in later Old Testament times, their nature was not any different.

The scribes acted as judges and jurors and were closely linked to the Pharisees in the New Testament. They certainly gloried in their power and loved their traditions over the Word of God.

The counselors or wise men “are put to shame” as we read here. They could not be trusted. The wise men were usually stationed at the Jerusalem gate and they performed as judges and counselors. There were some godly men who held the wise men position in times past. It was before the wise men that Boaz presented his case in order to obtain Ruth’s hand in marriage. The Proverbs 31 Man was a wise man; he sat at the gate with the elders of the land; verse 23. Job was counted as the wisest of the wise men in his time and he acted as judge, attorney, counselor, investigator and king, as we see from Job chapter 29 and 31:16-23. He was well-respected at the gates of his city.

Sentence, once again, is pronounced on these people, which involves the removal of all they hold dear, including those who surround them; verse 10.

Greed is also a plague of these people which is why God must judge. They aren’t satisfied simply to have a roof over their heads and bread on the table. Like most humans, they always want more and are even willing to use others for their own personal gain just as we see in James chapter 5.

Christian organizations and causes are sometimes formed just to fulfill a need of greed. When you give to an organization or cause, you need to thoroughly check out their reputation. Even missionaries have been known to take advantage of people as they sit in a nice location, enjoying the scenery and an easy life. I have heard it stated something to this effect, if you give to a missionary, you might want to visit them on the mission field to verify their usage of all funding.

I know of two local Christian causes that do not appear to be above reproach in their dealings and motives. They also have questionable people in authority. In this world, you always have some sly people who know how to rally people because they know Christians get mad and want to give to those organizations that expose evil agendas. But it just places money into greedy pockets which causes laughter all the way to the bank. Of course, Christians must always be concerned and discerning with validation of reputation. I learned not long ago of a person who took a church for thousands. He was a respectable member of the church, appeared totally dedicated, and promised to perform construction work for the church if he received so much money. He took the money and left the church.

“Deceit” is disclosed in the conclusion of verse 10. We saw it first mentioned in verse 5. It is certainly something that is very appalling to our Lord and He wants to make that clear. God comes against the prophets and priests, who were to teach the Word as pastors do today. These prophets ministered out of greed through deception. Unfortunately today, there are some pastors who are greedy for gain and they will not take a pastorate unless the price is right. Being called to pastor and just rely on God for one’s provision is not the way of today and the dollar amount is what determines a place of ministry not a specific calling of God or so it seems.

These prophets and priests in Jeremiah never seem to get to the sin issue. They do not produce a healing from sin by exposing the people’s compromising worldly ways. These religious leaders don’t repent and they don’t call the people to repent. They just “say peace, peace,” verse 11, or in other words “all is well” or “no worries, mate.” There is actually no peace as doom is looming upon the horizon.

Peace, peace if the catchphrase of today’s church. I just learned of a publisher that is exposing the New Age mentality that is becoming more and more prevalent in the church. This publisher is now being referred to as a “hate” organization because it exposes through the Biblical light what is evil. They refuse to shake satan’s hand and approve of the demonic world and its false spirituality now taught in the “emerging church.” This church movement does not teach that everyone reaps what they sow when they play with satan and his agendas of sensual license and worldly spiritualism.

We see as we traverse further into verse 12, that these Jews are unashamed of their sin and they do not care that they no longer “know how to blush.” This is a restated phrase from 6:15 to reemphasize the lack of innocence in these people. In Hosea 6:5, God condemns the Northern Kingdom of Samaria for being incapable of innocence. In Matthew 10:16, Christ commands us to be as shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. That is a great innocence to ponder!! When has a dove ever set something evil before its eyes or pondered a road of greed.

Doves:

Doves are clean (they love to bathe) and can be tamed. They pose no threat to humans or other animals. The Dove is the most famous bird of love. These birds have been associated with love and marriage for thousands of years. Their loyalty to each other and their joint care for their family is legendary. It is also the most hunted bird of hunters.

The dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit in Scripture, wherein John the Baptist sees the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus in the form of a dove. The dove also denotes a new beginning and a promising future, as a dove located dry land for Noah and his family, thereby giving humankind a fresh start.
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Because these people don’t desire to be labeled “prudish,” they are going to fall, through God’s punishment. He says in verse 13, He will ‘snatch them away” and all the land’s produce gifts that have been amply supplied to them—the grapes, figs, etc.

God goes on, telling them in the last phrase, all He has “given them will pass away.” Deuteronomy 6:10-12 informs us of all that was provided for the Jews when they entered the Promise Land—houses full of all good things, wells of water, vineyards, olive trees and food for their satisfaction came from the LORD. However, God gave them a warning—to watch themselves and not to forget the LORD who brought them from Egypt.

Verse 14 reemphasizes their plight as they have sinned against the LORD and now they are doomed.

As we travel into verse 16, we see attackers will arise from the land of Dan, west of the tribal area of Benjamin where Jerusalem lies. A thundering of horses will be heard. You have possibly experienced a time when you heard many thundering horses on a prairie where their pounding hooves quaked the earth. Now, if you were to hear this sound, being totally aware that these horses held murderous men who were sent to terminate, you would be petrified. This is what occurred to Israel. These sin-laden Jews watched their nation’s destruction and murdering Babylonians coming after them with swords drawn.

In verse 17, The Lord uses a metaphor of venomous vipers to describe what the Babylonians will resemble as they will bite the Judeans like a snake. Adders are poisonous, so we know the illustration is of certain death for many.

Jeremiah addresses his sorrow in the beginning of verse 18. He is faint by all the evil that will come to his people whom he loves. God’s personal care and love have departed from these Hebrews; their true King has exited the scene in personal presence. At the end of verse 18, God speaks of why He has abandoned His people as they have turned to graven images.

Exodus 34:14 informs us that God’s children are not to worship any other god, for His name is Jealous, He being a jealous God.

A few weeks ago, I heard a speaker tell of his ministry work in India. One thing he stated to us was “Youth with a Mission” has compromised by telling this society that they could still worship other gods and just add Christ to them. They believed eventually they would remove their false gods. What false doctrine; as God make it clear that it is an abomination to worship any other god or gods. Revelation informs us idolaters will burn in the lake of fire; 21:8 and 22:15.

Verse 20 is an often quoted verse “Harvest is past, summer is ended, and we are still not saved.” I recall as a young person, a man consistently sitting close to the front of the church, hearing the salvation message over and over; yet never yielding to Christ. What will such a man say that stands before the judgment seat who heard the truth countless times when many had no opportunity to even hear it once?

It is important to have a sorrowful heart for those who have not come to the Savior. When the Day of the LORD comes, those who are not saved will be cast into hell. That is why we must herald the salvation message.

Jeremiah had mounting sorrow for those who had not surrendered their hearts to God and we can almost hear the pain as we read the following phrase: “I mourn; dismay has taken hold of me. Is there no balm in Gilead…?”

Jeremiah cites his woe further, explaining he recognizes there are physicians in the land but no restoration of health is occurring. Why? Because they are ill due to sin and no blessings of deliverance can come even through a doctor’s hands.

James 5:16 informs us we are to confess our sins to one another, pray for one another, so we can be healed. These people would not take part in any confession of sin, as they were righteous in their own eyes. When our standard is not the Holy Word, sin is not easily recognized, that which results in destructive pain.

Dear friends, may I present Jeremiah,

A man after God’s own heart verified through his love and sensitivity to the ways of God and love for others. He was one who was dedicatedly engaged in the service of the LORD, not being entangled by the things of this world. His fellow Jews had fallen deeply into coveting the surrounding amusements of their godless neighbors. 2 Tim. 2:4 lets us know, that one who is truly a child of God is not to become entangled with the affairs of everyday life, so he may please the true God who enlisted him as a soldier.

In a written description, Shirley Temple disclosed how she met her husband, Charles Black, in Hawaii. One item that drew her to this man was the fact he had never heard of her. He was placed in a military academy at a young age and had no access to movies as his whole life was military; thus, he did not entangle himself in the affairs of everyday life. Shirley wanted to ensure that Charles was above reproach as a one-woman-guy so she requested that J. Edgar Hoover of the FBI investigate him. He affirmed the fact that Charles, a very handsome man, was above reproach toward women in his behavior, which caused Shirley Temple to entrust herself to him in holy matrimony.

We need to follow the command of Timothy and be those who entangle themselves in God alone. Jeremiah is a quality example to us through his separation and dedication.

 Jeremiah Chapter 9

A dichotomy seems to be set forth in verses one and two. In the first verse, Jeremiah is experiencing deep grief over what is to become of his people, not desiring to see his people slain. However, we read in verse 2 that he wants to just flee from it all and forsake his people. Why? They “are adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.”

Have you ever just wanted to get away from it all like Jeremiah; capturing in your mind a simple cabin in the southern Idaho desert, in the early spring or fall? (I don’t mean in the sizzling summer or freezing winter.) Having no desire for anyone to disturb you as you long to be isolated with your righteous and holy Lord?

It’s very easy for us to want to see sinners saved; yet, to flee from all the grotesque vileness around us, at times, sounds very tempting. Often, I hope Christ will take us home soon so we can be delivered. At other times, I desire He tarries for the sake of bringing more souls into His kingdom. He is still saving in miraculous ways around our globe.

Adultery can be very depressing when it seems to enclose you all-around, so too in Jeremiah’s day. J. Vernon McGee stated that divorce and remarriage is America’s way of committing legal polygamy. I know a woman who claims to be saved (reads her Bible, attends church, sings in the choir, etc.) and has had several husbands. Sadly, she has stated something to this effect; she simply couldn’t see herself staying with the same man her entire life. She does enjoy sounding like a victim in Christian company. I believe her words represent the truth behind a great many divorces though it would never be spoken in a church.

Many believers seeking a divorce claim being victimized so they can be set free to roam with Christian sympathy. He or she may even state they tried counseling so it appears they now have no other alternative. However, God always knows the heart that can never hide from Him.

You may say, but what if a woman says she was treated cruelly? Well, in my counseling and observation, most women (not all) who claim victimization, usually know how to push the buttons to make their husbands angry. They can do it with pleasure to get back at their husbands for whatever reason. This persists in a cycle as both husband and wife engage in a tug of war for command. Women will also withhold intimacy to be sinfully vindictive and this naturally causes a man to be angered. This is willful disobedience to God on the wife’s part.
Women can detest the words—submission, respect and winning their husbands without a word, 2 Pet. 3:1-2. However, I have seen God maneuver within the heart through the truths of His Word, maturing to obedience. He can renew a steadfast love, whereby the couple begins to walk in a quiet and gentle spirit. It is not painless or something that metamorphoses overnight.

Alan and I will be the first to admit it has only been by God’s powerful grace that our marriage has survived, moving toward 30 years. We have had great battles with the world, the flesh and the enemy. However, I am thankful to say we are still in love, which comes through seeking Christ daily. Marriage is a continuous moving exertion not a shot in the dark.
Prayer for our marriages has to be a consistent ingredient mixed with affection, kindness, sacrifice, generosity and gentle-wise communication and on and on. A marriage where the couple demands their own way lacks these important components that empowers them to run smoothly like a tandem bike.

Malachi 2:13-17 also combines the words adultery and treachery as men were dealing treacherously with their wives forsaking their marriage “by covenant;” Malachi 3:14. The covenant enacted with God for life; whereby, they were to abstain from all others. God exhorts these men who are unfaithful to honor fidelity with the “wives of their youth.” God goes on to emphasize that “He hates divorce.”

It is noteworthy that God is not paying attention to these wicked men, who cry and groan as they present their unheeded offerings; Malachi 2:13. We see something comparable to this in the New Testament; God tells men their prayers will be hindered if they do not honor their wives and live with them in an understanding way. God does intervene for slighted women in marriage. He punishes men who are unkind and not honoring. No one gets away with sin that is why we never give up praying for our marriages. Prayer is exercised faith. In sinful marital situations God can convict to repentance. It cannot always guarantee the outcome desired as man exercises free will, but miracles of marriage renewal occur daily.

As we move to verse 3 of Jeremiah 9, we read “They bend their tongue like a bow,” not telling truths but falsehoods. We might say, someone is speaking with a forked tongue resulting in lies not fact spouting forth. The media certainly knows how to present lies. It covets justification and cover-up. They will tell you a woman has a right to choose, but when was the last time they televised abortions for the public to decide if it is indeed murder? They resort to slogans to conceal factual data, not revealing exactly what abortion is. They do this with every unbiblical agenda.

“Rights” is what everything evil seems to hide behind. Of course, our society in general veils everything of the liberal view through deception, using cover-up terminology.
They were growing in evil, from “evil to evil,” as verse 3 continues its declaration of why Israel is doomed. This could happen to any ungodly nation including America as Isaiah 40 proclaims.

If we were to attempt to tie all these verses in Jeremiah together in relationship to our country, we would have to admit America is in a pit of degradation as was Israel. I do think this admission is an easy one for the honest perceiver. A hundred years ago, all unbiblical behavior was illegal. I already mentioned abortion which was not legalized till 1973. No-fault divorce hit America in the 70’s as well. My 1965 revised F & W Encyclopedia, states in NY, no one can divorce except for adultery (I wonder where that came from?), pre-marital sex, homosexuality, immodesty, etc., were all forbidden in general society.

Drug abuse was inexistent outside of the opium smoked by Orientals in hidden underground dens, which were in the Boise area around a century ago. I’ve seen a portion of an underground tunnel in old Nampa.

Yes, sin was evidenced in America, but it has definitely increased from “evil to evil” in past decades, also substantiated in other cultures. In our nation, there was a time when people never thought of locking their doors; they could have never envisioned needing an alarm system for their home. However, locks do travel back to ancient civilization. The most antiquated lock was located in the palace ruins near Nineveh in Iraq; they believe it to be 4,000 years old. This lock consisted of a large wooden bolt to secure a door, which had a slot with several holes in its upper surface. The holes were filled with wooden pegs that prevented the bolt from being opened.

When it comes to crime, many former harsh laws have been rescinded so the offender is left with many rights and the good guy is often trampled upon. This includes children who have been raped by pedophiles. A prosecuting attorney needs a mountain of evidence to prosecute anyone and many key facts are often thrown out to assist the criminal.

A hurting phrase closes verse 3, “They did not know Me.” God loved them and wanted them to know Him. I am one who can feel the wounded heart of God and so did Jeremiah. God always moves to the pinnacle of things! Do we strive to know God better each day? This certainly is something I need to practice, knowing Him more and more not the practices of the world. They lacked a true knowledge of God, through a true love for Him and His Holy Word, this being observed throughout Jeremiah.

Verse 4, reminds us again of our communities being ridden with corruption as they were in Jeremiah’s day. I have dwelt in neighborhoods where I could not depend on my neighbors, and so possibly have you. In my previous neighborhood, I had to phone the police on regular occasions, keeping their number close by. Currently, we live in a caring neighborhood where we feel safe. This was a magnificent answer to prayer.

I have certainly been deceived by neighbors just as Jeremiah discloses in verse 5. Some neighbors enjoy using those they know are believers, viewing them as just do-gooders who wouldn’t know a black sheep if they saw one. I have observed loving neighbors used and I have been used trying to be kind. There are many deceptive foxes in this world that are very convincing as they seek the unsuspecting sheep.

Deceptive neighbors can include co-workers or anyone we may be in contact with. One give-away for recognition, as we see in Jeremiah, is they are slanderers. One to be trusted would not be one who thrusts hate at others through a tongue of hidden deception. Some people will refuse to be friends with those who do not go along with their accusing ways of making others appear bad. Believers too will compromise with slanderers to keep friends. If we love God above all else, this will not happen.

Jeremiah speaks how the people have taught their tongues to speak lies, midway in verse 5. Alan sees this at the penitentiary and he has to use differing techniques with both offenders and staff to reach the truth.

A man may tell his wife he loves her and is eternally faithful, but is playing around continually and doesn’t plan to stop. But all lies eventually catch up resulting in pain coming upon many. All those who trusted and now feel betrayed, including the wife, children, other family members and friends, expose the pain. God declares in Numbers 32:23, “and be sure your sin will find you out!”

One may believe it’s no big thing to deceive slightly and it doesn’t hurt anyone. It can come down to something as common as one calling in sick so they can head for a day of pleasure in the sun—like one of Alan’s officers who phoned in sick. Another one of his officers saw this man at the park, and he certainly was not ill. This truant officer claims to be saved and attends a Bible-believing church. When Alan confronted the man, he justified everything, but Alan laid it on the line especially with him professing to be saved and attending church. It was obvious that this officer had taught his tongue to lie. It did not go off on its own tangent! If people can justify one lie, they most likely rationalize many other lies as well.

God informs Jeremiah; his dwelling is in the midst of deceit and in continuance He states, it is because of this deception, they refuse to “know Him,” this being reemphasized from verse 3. God wants to underscore this as being the root-problem. Today’s believer can participate in deception by merely implying to others that some sin is not that evil. If we truly know God and His Word, through spending much time in study and prayer, justification of wickedness in any form would be absent from our lives.

Verse 7 returns us to the refining fire of God’s discipline. He speaks again of assaying them which we originally dealt with back in chapter 6.

Deceit is viewed for the forth time in verse 8. Do you think God is trying to thump on something? It is obvious that God hates it! It can even be small deceit such as getting people believing we are something we are not by playing the Sunday church game; where during the week people would never guess we are believers by our words and actions. I have a friend who knew a lady in the workplace for an extended period of time, never guessing she was a believer, but came to find out she is a Baptist pastor’s wife and formerly ministered with Campus Crusade. She couldn’t believe this liberal-mouthed lady was actually a believer.

We can be deceptive with others by being unkind to our spouse, children and even pets when at home. Believing we can let our hair down, yet putting on kindness when we meet with those outside the doors of our home. I witnessed a Christian lady speaking cruelly to her family members for no reason and when the phone rang, she answered, sounding like the most pleasant woman in the world. Such behavior is completely baffling but it reveals our natural flesh of wanting to put on a good show before others. We should be respectful to all including those we live with. If we don’t yell at people on the phone, at church, in the store, etc., we shouldn’t yell at those who dwell in our home. Of course, yelling is wrong period. Christ never left this example. However, I am guilty and have had to ask forgiveness more than once. I have had to apologize to my family members on occasion for my treatment of them; far more than with friends. We do well to treat all in honor.

I have had many people attempt to deceive me especially salesmen who put on a Christian act as soon as they sense I’m a believer. All of a sudden they happen to be a believer too. If I refuse their business, they are no longer a believer and can treat me as the dung of the earth, just for not catering to a sales-pitch clothed in deception.

Verse 8 continues, detailing neighbors speaking peace but inwardly setting an ambush. We have a man in our subdivision who some of us neighbors discovered knew how to do this well. Kindly speaking peace to us; but as soon as he got the chance, ambushed us with held-in-hate.

God goes on to disclose, as judge and jury, He has the right to bring a judgement of punishment and revenge on a nation such as this!

In verse 10, Jeremiah walks on the stage wailing and weeping for this unrepentant nation that he loves. He speaks of taking up a dirge, or a song or poem of mourning for the dead. Not only for the Jews who will die, does he cry this dirge, but also for the demise of the land and its beasts. Birds and cattle will have no desire to be present in this cursed kingdom. Birds spell life with their need for an abundance of trees and vegetation. I love to hear and observe the birds outside my window, pecking on the window, feeding and chattering at my feeders. It would be very disheartening if all of a sudden they were no more. What if there were no more cats? Now that would truly be something to wail about.

Verse 11 specifically points to the Jackal. This is one beast that does not mind living in desolation, being a scavenger dog that cleans up the leftovers. Without compassion, it says bring me your dead. Job chapters 38-41 reveal how God oversees all His creation and all are fashioned for His purpose and pleasure. Some, like the Jackal, were specifically designed to remove the stinking garbage in the land, even if it be human.

Jerusalem would be a heap of ruins, “a haunt of jackals.”

The jackal is a scavenger dog that feeds on dead carcasses holding the same characteristics as a buzzard; they both spell death and lifelessness. The jackal feeds on a variety of insects, rodents, snakes, and young antelope. It possesses coarse short fur and inhabits holes in the ground. It mates for life as a monogamous creature. Yes, one good thing can be said of it.

The jackal is a nocturnal animal, so it does most of its hunting in later hours. Occasionally, the jackal will be sighted in pairs in the late afternoon. It is a pack hunting canidae.

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In these vivid Jeremiah verses, we are witnessing a color photo of natural life beaming with multihued birds, sprinting deer, roaming cattle, and on and on that spells an occupied green cultivated civilization which will divert to a photo of black and white lifelessness. Existence is crushed into dirt, everything fragmented. Anything of the lush color of vibrancy is as if it never were.

All inhabitants will be removed as verse 11 closes. For review concerning removal, there were 3 captivities of Babylon. The first captivity was when Daniel, Meshach, Abed-nego and other knowledgeable, handsome youth, including royalty, were taken into captivity; Daniel chapter 1. Then we have the 2nd captivity which is what Jeremiah is currently predicting and the 3rd when King Zedekiah is removed with the remaining Jews.

Verses 12-14 disclose the reasons for discipline and the desolation of the land as they choose not to obey all of God’s Word, only that which was convenient for their contemporary society. Honoring the Sabbath, tithing, sacrificing, temple faithfulness, practicing circumcision, etc., was still obeyed; but their compromise, pleasing the surrounding trendy nations, brought judgment as well as their self-centered fleshly desires.

The justice for forsaking God’s Holy and inerrant Word is presented in verse 15. The LORD will give them wormwood (a bitter woody-herb that brings forth convulsions, etc.) and poisoned water to drink; all synonyms to represent the coming doom. These are things that will also be present during the tribulation period which will inflict the entire world.

As we read verse 16 of Jeremiah 9, we notice it speaks of God scattering His people among the nations. This is certainly made visible in the book of Esther as we view King Ahasuerus ruling over 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia within the Persian sector of Babylon; Esther 1:1. We witness in Esther that the Jews had become scattered throughout these provinces as the proclamation to annihilate them was proclaimed in all these regions.

Jeremiah speaks of God sending “the sword after them” (meaning when they are held captive in Babylon) and this was made very evident in Esther, but the Jews sought the Lord’s protection, and they were preserved through the godly intercession of Esther and Mordecai. Turning to God in this threatening situation presented in Esther, brought abundant blessings and security. If only Judah would have responded in such a way during the sermonizing of Jeremiah!

Verse 17-20 are presented to warn Jerusalem of the death and the mourning that will ensue. In Israel, women were hired to cry for the dead, those who would wail and those who would mourn. There were no men hired, of course. Ü The mourning for the annihilation upon arrival would be true grief, not a put on, as their voices will be great from Zion or Jerusalem. Verse 19 refers to those who will be deported from the land as well; escaping death, but wishing they had perished as we read earlier in Jeremiah.

In verse 20f, we see the dirge, or mourning song, restated from verse 10, God is trying to get His point across of the importance of turning away from their worldly behavior. Death coming up through the windows, certainly paints an inlaid memory. This demise is all consuming, entering the palaces, killing children and young men in the town squares.

Corpses of men would be as dung on the open field; verse 22. Further, we read “Like the sheaf after the reaper.” Reaper of death reminds us of the tales of a death reaper coming to a dieing mortal. The sheaves represent bunches of bodies pilled like gleaned wheat. When in war, it is difficult to locate live men to bury dead men. In Judah, the dead will be gravely visible with many falling at once and the bodies everywhere cast; “no one will gather them.”

This is not the only devastation Jerusalem came to experience, there were other times the enemy marched in, including Rome in 70 AD. There is going to be another great extermination as we read in Ezekiel chapter 9, this will be during the Great Tribulation. In Ezekiel 9:4 a man is commanded to put a mark on men’s foreheads, those with a tender heart who sigh and moan over the sins of Jerusalem. All other lives of men, women, and little children will be extinguished by six other men…none spared!

I believe these remarkable godly Jewish men who hate all sin (who certainly are a brand of Jeremiah) are the 144,000 Jews due to the fact in Revelation 7 they are taken from every tribe of Israel. Revelation 14:1 speaks of them having the name of Christ and the Father “on their foreheads” and they are the ones who will sing a new song on beautiful harps strung by harpists.

These men are exceptionally righteous, being pure virgin males who “kept themselves chaste.” Jeremiah too was a virgin as God called him to celibacy. These 144,000 are so powerfully pure and righteous, they pursue “the Lamb wherever He goes!”

These are exceptional verses to show to Jehovah Witnesses, 7th Day Adventists, Mormons and all who believe they are the 144,000; as well as those who get caught up in books that Hollywood-ize the true makeup of these virgin righteous males who are spared in another coming epoch of Jerusalem devastation.

Committing to Memory verses 23-24 of Jeremiah 9, would be very wise for all of us. We are commanded to only boast in the Lord, never in our wisdom, strength, or riches. God is the only One deserving of true honor and praise, especially due to the fact that every ability we possess is a gift from him and due to no one else.

Verse 24 emphasizes the Lord’s attributes that are worthy of praise that He exercises; His lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness. These are the attributes He delights in and so should we. Not the materialism, methodologies, technology, architectural feats, trendy styles and beats, special tech effects, etc., of this globe that is passing away. Rejoicing in the essences that magnify our Savior is His directive to us.

Punishment is the name of the game in verses 25 & 26. These Jews obeyed God being circumcised in body but not in heart. They were not separated only onto their Maker, being truly devoted to only Him. Deuteronomy 30:6 commanded the Israelites to be circumcised of heart, loving the Lord with all their heart and soul. Unfortunately the hearts of the Jews in Jeremiah’s day clung to the manners of the other nations; not following the teaching of 2 Kings 17:15b which is repeated in various ways throughout all of scripture including the New Testament, “And they followed after vanity and became vain, and went after the nations which surrounded them, concerning which the LORD had commanded them NOT TO DO LIKE THEM.”

If I wear a covering over my long hair to church, but am not submitting to my husband, it is meaningless before Christ, just as circumcision meant nothing to God if His people we not loving and obeying Him completely.

God speaks in the last verse of all the surrounding nations who have influenced Israel revealing names. The Jews fashioned themselves to them not HIM. These nations clipped their hair at the temples; the Jews were not allowed to cut this hair; Leviticus 19:27. The Egyptians shaved their heads and bodies and the other godless nations never held to the LORD’S exterior standards.

Murderous Rampage by the White House

 

Wake Up and Smell the Death

March 26, 2009

News:

Tomorrow in Houston, Texas, Secretary of State,  Hillary Clinton, is scheduled to receive Planned Parenthood’s highest honor–the 2009 Margaret Sanger Award. The gala takes place down the road from the construction of America’s largest-ever abortion (murder) facility. It reinforces the strong alliance between the Obama’s administration and the radical, remove unwanted children from the earth agendas. In Stanger’s book “Women and the New Race” she proclaimed that the ‘most merciful thing a large family can do to one of its infant members is to kill it.’” (I once heard a pro-abortionist state “kill it” concerning a baby in the womb that we were praying for in our Bible study.)

 Sanger stated “I look forward to seeing humanity free someday of the tyranny of Christianity no less than Capitalism.”

Planned Parenthood’s founder, Margaret Sanger, embraced eugenics, targeted “the unfit” for “extinction.” Very Marxist and Darwin—the survival of the wanted and the fittest. If babies appear in the womb less than perfect or unwanted, they must be holocaustically murdered.

PP’s current staff is on record as accepting racially motivated donations in seven different clinics nationwide. It’s an organization that fights to bar parents from the medical decisions of their 12-year-old daughters. According to videos in at least four states, Planned Parenthood has been involved in serial statutory rape cover-ups. Allegations in California point to an estimated $180 million of fraud. In at least two states, Planned Parenthood petitioned for the construction of abortion clinics under false pretenses.

Its very name, The Margaret Sanger Award, is a tribute to a woman whose life’s mission was to “build a race of thoroughbreds.” And she wanted the black population eliminated. Planned Parenthood’s long campaign to promote abortion on request, celebration of sexual libertinism, debauchery, eugenics, and radical prejudice is the worst foreign policy message our nation could send–and tomorrow they crown their messenger.

In 1933 Planned Parenthood’s publication, Birth Control Review, published “Eugenic Sterilization: An Urgent Need,” by Ernst Rudin, Hitlers director of genetic sterilization and founder of the Nazi Society for Racial Hygiene. later that year it published an article by E. A. Whitney, entitled “Selective Sterilization,” which strongly praised and defended Nazi racial programs. She approved wholeheartedly of “negative” eugenics: preventing the reproduction of the unfit by persuasion or force. The unfit were often portrayed as livestock, to be controlled and genetically manipulated by the eugenist — all in the name of human betterment. (This is our president’s current stand, spending America’s money, seeing to it that sterilization and abortion is forcefully carried forth in other nations. He also desires that here in America a type of coerced abortion be carried forth. He wants all medical facilities personnel to participate in human killing.)

Though praising eugenics, Sanger saw birth control as the best way to rid society of what she called “feebleminded” people (those whose mental ability was less than that of a 12 year old). She estimated that such people constituted almost 50 percent of the U.S. Population.

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Margaret Sanger’s “Extermination Negro Project” Sanger’s “Negro Project” was designed to cut down on the number of black babies being born. In a December 10, 1939 letter, Margaret Sanger wrote to Dr. Clarence Gamble about her “Negro Project,” saying, “We do not want the word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population and the minister is the man who can straighten that idea out if it ever occurs to any of their more rebellious members.” (See Blessed Are The Barren The Social Policy of Planned Parenthood by Robert Marshall and Charles Donovan, Ignatius Press, 1991, pages 17-18.) Here is Sanger’s account of her trip to talk to the Ku Klux Klan from pages 366-367 of Margaret Sanger An Autobiography (1971 reprint by Dover Publications, Inc. Of the 1938 original published by W.W. Norton & Company). …Never before had I looked into a sea of faces like these. I was sure that if I uttered one word, such as abortion, outside the usual vocabulary of these women they would go off into hysteria. And so my address that night had to be in the most elementary terms, as though I were trying to make children understand. In the end, through simple illustrations I believed I had accomplished my purpose. A dozen invitations to speak to similar groups were proffered. The conversation went on and on, and when we were finally through it was too late to return to New York…

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Margaret Stanger was a member of the Socialist Party, a controlling political party that asserts the government must own and distribute all wealth. Margaret Sanger appointed Lothrop Stoddard as a board member of the Birth Control League, the forerunner of Planned Parenthood. Stoddard was an avid supporter of eugenics, forced sterilization, and Germany’s Adolph Hitler. Stoddard claimed in 1940 that the “Jew problem” is “already settled in principle and soon to be settled in fact by the physical elimination of the Jews themselves from the Third Reich.” Margaret Sanger appointed Lothrop Stoddard as a board member of the Birth Control League, the forerunner of Planned Parenthood. Stoddard was an avid supporter of eugenics, forced sterilization, and Germany’s Adolph Hitler.

When Sanger was on the verge of being convicted on charges of distributing pornographic materials, she fled the United States. Sanger was a woman of sinful fornication who did not have any desire to be chaste in behavior and stands. She wished for the freedom to carry on with her numerous lovers (the short list includes sexologist Havelock Ellis, writers H. G. Wells and Hugh de Salincourt, anarchist Lorenzo Portet, and architect Angus Snead McDonald), mere sexual self-absorption cannot adequately explain her tireless fixation on birth control.

She ran with the “eugenics movement:” Ellis, Sanger’s mentor, was actively involved in establishing and supporting the Eugenics Education Society of England, and Sanger approvingly quoted eugenist, and later Nazi supporter, Harry H. Laughlin in her anthology The Case for Birth Control as saying, “Society must look upon germ-plasm as belonging to society, and not solely to the individual who carries it.” During World War II (1939–45), when European forces and the United States clashed with Germany, Italy, and Japan, her popularity continued to grow, despite her opposition to American participation in the war. (Sanger strongly believed that wars were the result of excess national population growth.) Consider another eugenic claim: Since the inferior is always numerically superior to the best, the worst would multiply itself so much faster . . . Given the same opportunity to survive and procreate… That the best would necessarily be pushed to the background. Therefore a correction in favor of the better must be undertaken.

Ernst Rudin was director of the foremost German eugenics research institute (Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Genealogy, in Munich, Germany). “On June 2, 1933, [German] Reich Interior Minister Wilhelm Frick announced the formation of an Expert Committee on Questions of Population and Racial Policy …. To plan the course of Nazi racial policy. The committee brought together the elite of Nazi racial theory: Alfred Ploetz, ….. Ernst Rudin, director of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Genealogy in Munich;….” (4) On July 14, 1933 this committee’s recommendations were made law, the sterilization law (“Law for the Prevention of Genetically Diseased Offspring”); the start date for exercising the law was 1 Jan 1934.

 Academic William H. Tucker (The Science and Politics of Racial Research, 1994, University of Illinois Press) tells us about Ernst Rudin (p. 121): In an address to the German Society for Rassenhygiene [Race-hygiene] Ernst Rudin, a professor of psychiatry who was one of the organization’s original members and now its head, recalled the early, fruitless days when the racial hygienists had labored in vain to alert the public to special value of the Nordic race as “culture creators” and the danger of “unnatural” attempts to preserve the health of heredity defectives. Now Rassenhygiene [Race-hygiene] was finally receiving the attention it deserved, and Rudin virtually slavered over the man whose efforts produced this change: “The significance of Rassenhygiene did not become evident to all aware Germans until the political activity of Adolf Hitler and only through his work has our 30 year long dream of translating Rassen- hygiene into action finally become a reality.”

Terming it a “duty of honor” (Ehrenpflicht) for the society to aid in implementing Hitler’s program, Rudin proclaimed, “We can hardly express our efforts more plainly or appropriately than in the words of the Fuhrer: ‘Whoever is not physically or mentally fit must not pass on his defects to his children. The state must take care that only the fit produce children. Conversely, it must be regarded as reprehensible to withhold healthy children from the state.’ (E. Rudin, “Aufgaben and Ziele der Deutschen Gesellschaft fur Rassenhygiene,” Archiv Fur Rassen- und Gesellschafts- biologie 28 (1934): 228-29) Margaret Sanger corresponded with Ernst Rudin and never once renounced his eugenic views.

 When the Nazis came to power, argued Stoddard, they started to increase “both the size and the quality of the population.” They coupled initiatives designed to encourage “sound” citizens to reproduce with a “drastic curb of the defective elements.” Stoddard personally witnessed how the Nazis were “weeding out the worst strains in the Germanic stock in a scientific and truly humanitarian way.” Women undergoing an induced abortion suffer sterility as a side-effect, The U.S. has had over one million sterilizations (from induced abortion alone), easily topping the Nazi ‘record’.

(Bible: 1 John 5:9-13)

Hate Laws – Christian Arrested

The Danger of Hate Crimes

Please listen to this pastor who was arrested in Canada for being a Christian spokesman. Just click on the above and it will play. Please listen to the end. This man exposed the pro-Islam agenda of Canadian schools. Christianity is not allowed and he protested the partiality. He was charged with violating their hate laws. During the ordeal, he received 3,000 death threats. Outside the courtroom, during the trial, Muslims yelled murderous threats against him. They shouted, you will burn in hell. We will burn your body, etc. What is ironic is, no one cared. This is exactly what takes place in Muslim countries when Christians are arrested. Muslims want to tear believers apart limb by limb.

 He was sentenced to Islam indoctrination. The Muslim materials incited hatred toward him. It taught, he was a murderous Christian that opposed anything good.

White House outlines Obama’s pro-homosexual agenda

Fred Jackson – OneNewsNow – 1/21/2009 7:45:00 AM

The Barack Obama administration has wasted no time in announcing what his pro-homosexual agenda will include. Just hours after becoming president, the Whitehouse.gov website has laid out Barack Obama’s agenda. Under a section of that agenda titled Civil Rights is a very detailed outline of what Obama plans to do for the homosexual community. First on the list is the expansion of “hate crimes” statutes to include extra punishment for crimes committed because of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Highlighted is the president’s political history of support for hate crimes legislation. Obama also supports full civil unions and federal rights for homosexual couples, and calls for repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). According to the agenda explanation, the president also is opposed to a constitutional amendment to protect marriage as only between a man and a woman. As expected, the Obama agenda calls for the repeal of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy to allow open homosexuals to serve.

“The President will work with military leaders to repeal the current policy and ensure it helps accomplish our national defense goals,” says the website. Obama also wants to expand adoption rights for homosexuals.

The 44th president, states the website, “thinks that a child will benefit from a healthy and loving home, whether the parents are gay or not.” Elsewhere on the Whitehouse.gov Agenda section is a statement noting Obama’s longstanding support for abortion rights. On that issue, the “consistent champion of reproductive choice” — as Obama is described on the website — promises to stand against any effort to overturn Roe v. Wade, increase funding for “family planning and comprehensive sex education,” and remove any insurance restrictions against contraception. 

Val Lee  (Author of Cliques in the Church, Apostasy in the Church, and Queen Esther/Looming Holocaust—see Amazon.com. These books can also be read at http://vallee7.wordpress.com/. I also write and submit photos for Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures http://leesbird.com/ ”Through the Looking Glass of Val Lee”)

City of Cities—Dubai

  

 

 Dubai—The Grandest of Cities

 

Dubai in Saudi Arabia is the fastest growing city in the world, owning the tallest building; plus unbelievable and remarkable fashioned developments. This architectural wonder does love American tourism, but stands with Muslim dominance of the world. They do not permit Christian evangelism and Christians have been arrested. http://www.christianaggression.org/item_display.php?type=NEWS&id=1109949444 

 

Jews are totally forbidden in this state-of-the-art city.

 

 http://joshuapundit.blogspot.com/2006/03/no-Jews-need-apply-israels-shahar-peer.HTML

 

This land certainly causes us to consider Bible prophecy as it is completely impressive, representing the perfect image of a space-age metropolitan captivation. Christians know in the time of the apocalypse, a city unlike all others will arise. It is Biblically called Babylon. This is the titling God places upon this area that will boggle the mind. It will resemble former Babylon in beauty, commercial wealth and power; Revelation chapters 17 and 18. Its actual name is a mystery to all. It will consist of everything disclosed in Revelation in regard. This empire will be the capital of the world. It will be anti-Jew and anti-Christian. It will encompass the heights of wickedness as former Babylon, but to surpassing, infinite degrees.

 

It appears this mecca will be located close to ancient Babylon as the Euphrates River is referenced, which flows in the Middle East. God revealed Babylon will never be rebuilt so we know it will not stand on its burial grounds. Certainly, Dubai calls us to contemplate on what is to come.   

 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTyks-IRFPY&feature=related

 http://www.mytopclip.com/play.php?vid=5106

 http://www.tigerwoodsdubai.com/  

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eUcRjo9Yv4

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4696298n

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgYYR3-Syog&feature=related

 http://www.mytopclip.com/play.php?vid=16070

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeMcIKnPLdA&feature=channel

 

 

Bible: 1 John 5:10-13

News: Obama/Pelosi One in Action

America certainly seems to be spinning out of control more and more with each passing day. Every new dawning brings upon our country more wicked forced agendas. Since President Obama walked into the White House, the philosophy of administration is, we don’t want babies stepping on anyone’s quality of life. Let’s commit infanticide to greater and greater degrees here and throughout the world using billions of tax payer dollars. This will usher in utopia. This will produce jobs. This will set the economy right.
 
We have a selfish and murdering administration set now before us. How can people believe killing countless unborn children is the answer to restoring a balanced economy?  How can Americans believe God is going to bless an agenda that consists of pouring billions of dollars into murdering the defenseless?  Every child is preciously made by Jesus Christ. He creates each one wonderfully in their mother’s womb; Psalm 139.

 Nancy Pelosi promotes a hate children platform. It appears if she had her way, most would be placed in holocaustic incinerators.  Of course, this is abortion—burning innocent babies with saline solution. She certainly believes human bloodshed is the answer to a dying economy.
 
Where is the fear of God in this land?  The Bible states that man claims to be wise in his evil wicked folly. He thinks departing from the Word of God produces wisdom, when it actuality takes him to the entrance of hell’s eternal destruction. We all reap what we sow.  How can democrat supporters sleep at night? God says murderers are shut out of heaven. May they come to the light of Christ and seek forgiveness.
  
Val Lee  (Author of Cliques in the Church, Apostasy in the Church, and Esther/Looming Holocaust—see Amazon.com. These books can also be read at http://vallee7.wordpress.com/. I also write and submit photos for Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures http://leesbird.com/ ”Through the Looking Glass of Val Lee”)

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Speaker Nancy Pelosi has every wicked way in mind to supposedly assist our nation?  She certainly is demon-driven. Details are surfacing concerning the the controversial $825 billion “economic recovery” package. $200 million for lawn care in Washington, D.C., $360 million to potentially be used to put on transsexual beauty pageants and nasty pornographic art shows. These are a few examples in the $825 BILLION (and counting!), over 1,588 page stimulus bill. Speaker Nancy Pelosi argues this bill would stimulate the economy, however only 7 percent of the legislation actually goes towards infrastructure – the rest of the bill reads like a taxpayer funded payoff to groups that have supported liberal Democrats’ interests. And what a pay off! ACORN is one. This long controversial group racked up false votes for Obama. It has no concept of integrity. It is wicked to the core. This lying, thieving organization is being rewarded by Nancy Pelosi with potentially $4.19 BILLION in taxpayer funds. And more than 10 percent of the proposal-$87 billion-would be directed to groups like Planned Parenthood! The country’s recession is crippling families, and the Democrats’ solution is spending billions of dollars on contraception?

On the latest “This Week” program on ABC, George Stephanopoulos pressed Speaker Pelosi for an explanation. She implied that making sure there are less children is a great way to stimulate the economy! Meanwhile she helped stop an amendment to the bill that would have protected parental rights!

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(1 John 5:1-11)