Jeremiah 4:3,4,14; 6:13-15, Jeremiah Collection

First, consider Jer. 6:13-15 and the NT teaching that “covetousness is idolatry” (Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5).  Perhaps we can say that “religion” (as opposed to the true worship of God’s people) is driven by money.  That’s what this passage says.  The false prophets in Jeremiah’s day preached the “happy sermon” instead of the hard truth.  “Peace, peace!”  That’s what people wanted to hear.  Whereas Jeremiah was preaching, “give yourselves up to the Babylonians or you will experience God’s fury.”  Why did the false prophets preach like this?  “Everyone is given to covetousness, and from the prophet even to the priest, everyone deals falsely.”  Don’t be fooled!  It is the same today.  Even in the “evangelical” world there are numerous illustrations of preachers and pastors who have fallen because of greed.  So often the driving force of “elder meetings” is concern for the budget.  By the way, the exact same passage is repeated in Jer. 8:10b-12.

Sounds like there is a need for repentance.  So let me call our attention to 3 pictures of repentance in Jeremiah 4. 

·       4:3: “Break up your fallow ground.”  The farmer has to plow up the ground in preparation for planting the seed.  If you think about the parable of the “sower” (Matt. 13:1-9,18-23, Jesus called it “the parable of the sower” in 13:18), this is helpful.  Jesus was saying the sower throws out the seed and it lands on different kinds of hearts.  Jeremiah is saying (on behalf of the LORD) that the wicked need to prepare their hearts to receive the word of the LORD.

·       4:4: “Circumcise yourselves to the LORD.”  This also speaks to the heart.  The skin needs to be removed, as in the removal of sin that hinders the person from hearing the word.  In that way the heart is fully exposed to the double-edged sword that pierces to the dividing of soul and spirit (Heb. 4:12).  Cf. with Col. 2:11-15.  Circumcision of the heart is fundamental to the New Covenant.

·       4:14: “Wash your heart.”  You may see this and think, “they can’t wash their hearts.  Christ must do that.”  However, this is a call to repentance.  “O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved.”  I think we see this in all the pictures.  In the NT Jesus called, “Come unto Me, all you that labor and are heavy laden.”  The call of the gospel always gives a command to the sinner.  So it is here!

Here is one other important and encouraging things from this area of Jeremiah.  In 4:27, the LORD says, “The whole land shall be desolate; yet I will not make a full end.”  See Jer. 5:10,18; 30:11 and 46:28 for the same thought.  Wickedness is ruling the day.  God will unleash His fury.  But His mercy is everlasting!!!