Step 1: Acknowledge Our Need for God
Jeremiah 8:5-11 (KJV)
Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.
I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle.
Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the Lord.
How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain.
The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord; and what wisdom is in them?
Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
I always enjoy when I find the Gospel message so clearly described in the Old Testament. Sometimes, I forget that the Gospel message isn’t something introduced in the New Testament, but that it has always been there since the beginning of time. So, when I came to this group of verses in Jeremiah, I felt inspired to comment on an important step in the Gospel message that Jeremiah has been hitting on over and over again in the previous 7 chapters. In fact, it is one of the first realizations anyone has when they come to Christ.
Step 1: Acknowledge that I am a sinner.
Let me give some background to this passage from Jeremiah 8. Basically, Jeremiah is prophesying that Judah is going to be destroyed. Of course, we know that this does indeed occur later via the Babylonian invasion and that the accuracy of Jeremiah’s prophesies are astounding. The Bible is very clear that the reason for the destruction of Judah is for their sin and refusal to return back to God. The people of Judah fell into idolatry of the worst kind and despite constant warnings from God, they continued in their idolatry. The Northern Kingdom, Israel, has been destroyed already by the Assyrians as punishment for their idolatry, but still Judah did not learn from their fall.
So, here in this particular passage, we see that God is pointing out that the people of Judah refuse to repent and return to God. Specifically, not one man even recognized their sin and asked “what have I done?”, instead they pushed forward in their wickedness as a horse would gallop into battle.
We all know that to be able to resolve any problem, we have to first recognize that there is a problem. For example, in a person’s battle with alcoholism, they have to first admit that they are an alcoholic and alcohol has become a problem in their lives. This first step is VITAL as it is impossible to fix a problem that you don’t even think exists. This same principle is true in our spiritual life as well.
The first step is to recognize our sin. Only then, can we recognize our need for God. The people of Judah did not recognize their sin and therefore, they continued in it. This willful refusal led only to their destruction and it will do the same in our lives!
We see that the “wise” men of Judah seemed to think that the law of the Lord was actually supporting their lifestyles (see vs 8)! But nothing could be further from the truth! In fact, it seems that the people in charge of studying the law likely interpreted it to suit their actions and lifestyle. This deception not only blinded themselves but the people as well.
Jeremiah 7:3-4 (KJV)
Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.
Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, are these.
Jeremiah 6:13-15 (KJV)
For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord.
Jeremiah 5:12-13 (KJV)
They have belied the Lord, and said, It is not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine:
And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them.
Today, many “preachers” and “Christian” leaders interpret the Bible to suit their own desires. They spread their message to the masses who eat every word because 1) the individuals listening do not know the Word of God since they spend no time studying it and 2) they prefer the teaching of these false leaders since it collaborates their lifestyle and requires less of them. In so doing, people remain blinded to the sin that is in their lives. This sin separates us from God and without repentance ensures our destruction just as it did for Judah.
The good news is that there is time to repent. God invited the people of Judah to repent for a long time sending prophets to them to tell them the truth. Eventually, judgement did come.
Jeremiah 6:17 (KJV)
Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.
Jeremiah 7:25 (KJV)
Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them:
God is inviting us to repent now and we only have a short time before judgement will come. But the first step is to acknowledge our need for God because we are separated from Him due to our sin.
Remember, study your Bible – it is hard to recognize sin if you don’t know what God views as sinful! The people of Judah didn’t follow the law but altered it to fit what they wanted. Also, don’t take any “Christian” leader at his/her word. Always, compare the teaching to what God says! The supposed scribes in Judah led people away by telling them what they wanted to hear. Don’t fall prey to the same lies! We have been warned. We have the benefit of examples. We should know better.
Do you have a question? Do you have something to add? Leave a comment below or on my contact page! I am more than happy to engage in friendly discussions. Thank you!