Jeremiah did his best to stir and raise the awareness and conscience of the nation of Israel. Both leaders and people seemed to have lost their way regarding biblical morality and obedience to God. Inspired by God, Jeremiah makes strong accusations against their spiritual leaders:
"They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious." 8:11 How shocking to be treated by a doctor who offers a band aid and tells you all is well, when actually you required 12 stitches. How shocking to be told you are really acceptable to God, when actually you needed to confess and repent.
Two or three times Jeremiah uses a word picture to describe those whose consciences have been hardened so that disobedience does not bother them. "Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush." 8:12; 6:15; 3:3
How apt is this description of our culture? The response of blushing used to be common as people were easily embarrassed. Our culture has become so rude and crude on screen and in daily life, that it seems today very little causes embarrassment; few people blush anymore; seldom are people embarrassed by their sin before our Holy God.
On the positive side in these early chapters of Jeremiah, we are reminded of what should give us satisfaction; a sense of achievement; a "holy pride". It should not be our education, our physical fitness or our wealth; rather God tells us we should boast about this: that we understand and know Him "who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord." 9:23, 24
I confess that over the years I have been impressed by successful people: those who are keen, educated scholars; those who have achieved athletic success; those who have been successful in business and been rewarded financially. Those who are successful as scholars, as athletes, or in business normally get their share of celebration and things of which to boast. I believe I have loved and served people equally, but I have especially noted those with that kind of success.
Yet of course I know what really counts and this verse reminds me - it is growth in biblical, spiritual knowledge; in a personal relationship with God; in a life that reflects God's commitment to kindness, justice and righteousness. May we never forget that these are priorities with God. We should celebrate these qualities when we recognize them in fellow believers.
We followers of Jesus (whether successful in other spheres or not) should rejoice, yes boast in a holy, humble way, when these qualities appear in our own lives and in the lives of fellow believers.
"They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious." 8:11 How shocking to be treated by a doctor who offers a band aid and tells you all is well, when actually you required 12 stitches. How shocking to be told you are really acceptable to God, when actually you needed to confess and repent.
Two or three times Jeremiah uses a word picture to describe those whose consciences have been hardened so that disobedience does not bother them. "Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush." 8:12; 6:15; 3:3
How apt is this description of our culture? The response of blushing used to be common as people were easily embarrassed. Our culture has become so rude and crude on screen and in daily life, that it seems today very little causes embarrassment; few people blush anymore; seldom are people embarrassed by their sin before our Holy God.
On the positive side in these early chapters of Jeremiah, we are reminded of what should give us satisfaction; a sense of achievement; a "holy pride". It should not be our education, our physical fitness or our wealth; rather God tells us we should boast about this: that we understand and know Him "who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord." 9:23, 24
I confess that over the years I have been impressed by successful people: those who are keen, educated scholars; those who have achieved athletic success; those who have been successful in business and been rewarded financially. Those who are successful as scholars, as athletes, or in business normally get their share of celebration and things of which to boast. I believe I have loved and served people equally, but I have especially noted those with that kind of success.
Yet of course I know what really counts and this verse reminds me - it is growth in biblical, spiritual knowledge; in a personal relationship with God; in a life that reflects God's commitment to kindness, justice and righteousness. May we never forget that these are priorities with God. We should celebrate these qualities when we recognize them in fellow believers.
We followers of Jesus (whether successful in other spheres or not) should rejoice, yes boast in a holy, humble way, when these qualities appear in our own lives and in the lives of fellow believers.
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