“Moreover you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD: “ Will they fall and not rise? Will one turn away and not return? Why has this people slidden back, Jerusalem, in a perpetual backsliding? They hold fast to deceit, They refuse to return. I listened and heard, but they do not speak aright. No man repented of his wickedness, saying, ‘What have I done?’ Everyone turned to his own course, as the horse rushes into the battle. Jeremiah 8: 4-6, NKJV.
Merciful God, today we come before Your Throne of Grace to receive a message from You. We ask that You speak so clearly, that we can hear You, and follow where You lead us. In the holy name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
These are the three verses that immediately precede the Scripture that we have been studying for the past two days. Remember that the main issues in our study were, the people did not know the time, and, the people did not know the judgment of the LORD. All of this came about because, the people did not know God.
How does one gain a knowledge of God? Getting to know God is the most important step or phase, in the Christian’s journey. Every step of the Christian journey is made possible by grace, that works through faith! That is, grace takes hold of us, and we respond by faith. Many times, the manner in which grace takes hold of us is through the preaching of the Word. When the Word is preached, the soul begins to yearn for something that it never knew before (things not seen); and faith responds by believing, that it will receive what it it is longing for (things hoped for).
I hope we are getting the idea of just how important, is the faithful preaching of the Word of God. If the Word is compromised, the results will also be compromised. In our text for today, God is asking questions: “Will they fall and not rise? Will one turn away and not return? Why has this people slidden back, Jerusalem, in a perpetual backsliding? Why is there no repentance in Israel? Why is Israel living in, a constant state of apostasy? They are on a steadfast course of wrong – they will not turn around!
And then comes the answer: God said: “I listened and heard, but they do not speak aright.” There is no repentance because no one is preaching repentance; there is no call to repentance because no one feels that he or she has done anything that needs repenting of! No one is being convicted of sins. No one seems to feel that they are doing anything wrong. Everyone is attending to his or her own – business – as usual!
I believe that the Gospel of Salvation is one of hope! I believe that it is indeed, Good News! I believe that no one should leave any place where the gospel is being preached, feeling hopeless, or helpless. But I also believe, that the gospel message is one that points out our wrong doings in order that we may do the right thing – because it is the message of the “power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1: 16)!
Scripture warns us that in the last days people will have “itching ears.” I believe this is referring to those who cannot tolerate to hear the wholesome, unadulterated, “Thus says the Lord.” We have become too sensitive to such a message! We want a message that soothes. And the message of salvation is a soothing message: “Jesus saves!” But let us not forget that He saves us from our sins! It is a message that makes us see ourselves as we really are, dressed in “filthy rags,” until the Savior gives the order to take off our unrighteousness and cover us with His righteousness (see Zechariah 3)!
We are encouraged to “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4: 2). Let us be faithful to our calling!