When You Refuse to Receive Correction
November 20, 2019
Commentary
Jerusalem was about to fall into the hands of an enemy because of the spiritual enemies of God working from within. Jeremiah was commanded to search Jerusalem and Judah for a righteous man among the common people, but found none (vv. 1–2). He understood that many of them did not know God’s judgments because they refused correction. Their hearts had become hard like stone (v. 3). Jeremiah then searched among the leaders and great men, thinking they knew the ways of the Lord, but he found the same sinful condition among them (vv. 4–5).
If even one righteous man could have been found, perhaps the Lord would have spared the city for his sake. But the people’s wickedness brought judgment upon themselves. Destruction was coming upon the land because the people had turned from God (vv. 6-10). Although a small remnant remained faithful to the Lord, most of the nation had given themselves to idolatry and sexual sin. Jeremiah hoped to find righteousness among those who entered a covenant with God. Yet even the priests, prophets, and leaders were just as guilty before the Lord (v. 11). Representing both Israel and Judah, the false prophets denied the truth and rejected the warnings of coming judgment (v. 12).
The people openly challenged God’s judgment (vv. 12–13). They refused to fear the Lord and confidently said, “It is not He; Neither will evil come upon us” (v. 12). They believed that God would never allow Jerusalem to be destroyed. Instead of listening to the warnings given by the prophets, they mocked them as men who were only “full of wind” (v. 13). Their pride and unbelief blinded them to the seriousness of their sin. Even as the judgment was near, they continued to trust in their false security rather than repenting and turning back to God.
Application
Am I listening carefully when God speaks through His Word? Is there any pride or hidden sin hardening my heart today? Do I repent quickly and walk honestly when the Lord corrects me? Am I walking honestly and faithfully before God each day? Am I following God even when people around me choose to live far from Him?
Jeremiah 5:1–13 (NET)
1 The Lord said, “Go up and down through the streets of Jerusalem. Look around and see for yourselves. Search through its public squares. See if any of you can find a single person who deals honestly and tries to be truthful. If you can, then I will not punish this city.
2 These people make promises in the name of the Lord. But the fact is, what they swear to is really a lie.”
3 Lord, I know you look for faithfulness. But even when you punish these people, they feel no remorse. Even when you nearly destroy them, they refuse to be corrected. They have become as hardheaded as a rock. They refuse to change their ways.
4 I thought, “Surely it is only the ignorant poor who act this way. They act like fools because they do not know what the Lord demands. They do not know what their God requires of them.
5 I will go to the leaders and speak with them. Surely they know what the Lord demands. Surely they know what their God requires of them.” Yet all of them, too, have rejected his authority and refuse to submit to him.
6 So like a lion from the thicket their enemies will kill them. Like a wolf from the rift valley they will destroy them. Like a leopard they will lie in wait outside their cities and totally destroy anyone who ventures out. For they have rebelled so much and done so many unfaithful things.
7 The Lord asked, “How can I leave you unpunished, Jerusalem? Your people have rejected me and have worshiped gods that are not gods at all. Even though I supplied all their needs, they were like an unfaithful wife to me. They went flocking to the houses of prostitutes.
8 They are like lusty, well-fed stallions. Each of them lusts after his neighbor’s wife.
9 I will surely punish them for doing such things!” says the Lord. “I will surely bring retribution on such a nation as this!”
10 The Lord commanded the enemy, “March through the vineyards of Israel and Judah and ruin them. But do not destroy them completely. Strip off their branches for these people do not belong to the Lord.
11 For the nations of Israel and Judah have been very unfaithful to me,” says the Lord.
12 “These people have denied what the Lord says. They have said, ‘That is not so! No harm will come to us. We will not experience war and famine.
13 The prophets will prove to be full of wind. The Lord has not spoken through them. So, let what they say happen to them.’”
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