Jeremiah 4

Jeremiah continues to preach the opening and fundamental message to the people of Judah (Chapters 2-6).  In the previous chapter God called attention to the fact that He had already punished the Northern Kingdom (Israel), and that Judah did not take warning.  In the meantime, the enemy that destroyed Israel (Assyria) has itself been destroyed and a new enemy is the tool of God to judge His people.  Chapter 4, verses 5-18 prophesy the coming of this enemy (Babylon).  Verses 19-31 record the suffering that awaits Judah and the prophet’s passionate plea for the doomed people to repent.

Jeremiah truly loves his people.  His deep empathy for them and sorrow over the impending judgment demonstrates this clearly.  Did you see v19?  “O my soul, my soul! I am pained in my very heart!  My heart makes a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace …”  Jeremiah speaks as if God has actually enables him to see the coming judgment.  He knows it will happen and he is crushed to think that God’s people are so foolish and silly (v22).

In v10 Jeremiah addresses God in a way unique to him and Ezekiel.  Each prophet addresses God 4 times, “Ah Lord God!”  (Jer. 1:6; 4:10; 14:13; 32:17; Ezk. 4:14; 9:8; 11:13; 20:49)  They do this because God has indicated something they do not understand or that they believe God is wrong.

In today’s reading Jeremiah claims God deceived the people by promising peace when in fact the true message is one of doom and judgment (v10).  Why did Jeremiah think this?  The answer is that the prophets of Judea were speaking in the name of God and were proclaiming a message of peace in the land.  Not only did the people believe this more pleasant message; likely Jeremiah also assumed they had spoken for God.  But now he realizes the false prophets are not speaking the truth.  The people have been deceived.

Consider for a moment Jeremiah’s situation as it relates to us.  He is sent to speak the words that God puts in his mouth.  These words are difficult and not at all popular.  Perhaps being in the 3rd of 5 days considering this depressing sermon has made you feel tired.  You may be thinking, “No wonder Jeremiah had few followers; he needed to lighten up a little bit.”  But friends, what was Jeremiah’s duty?  It was to speak the words that God put in his mouth.  He could do no more or less.  He could not allow his sorrow for the nation to cause him to speak differently.  Do we so value the word of God?

Having said this, did you see v27?  Here is the grace of God.  Judgment will come.  The land will be desolate.  “Yet I will not make a full end.”  Total destruction is deserved.  But God will keep His promise to Abraham of a nation, a land, and a Blessing to the nations.  That is why Jeremiah says what God told him to say.  God will always fulfill His word: the promises of life and the promises of death.