Speaking to People Who Would Not Hear

In the early years of our ministry of training laymen in local churches to work with their youth I came across a front page newspaper article that grabbed my attention. In detail it told how on a New York street Kitty Genovese was slowly and brutally stabbed to death. At … More

Responsibility

This closing part of Jeremiah’s sermon focuses on the invading Babylonian army, from the north, and the devastation it would bring to Jerusalem and Judah (vv. 1-2). At this time the city and the country seemed secure and they were under no apprehension of danger. Jeremiah tells them that they shall soon be invaded by a foreign power which shall completely destroy them. In fact, God threatened to destroy Jerusalem so completely that shepherds would pitch their tents and graze their herds on its site (v. 3). This extensive destruction is confirmed by Nehemiah (Neh. 2:3, 11-17). Then he spoke to the Babylonian leaders and shared His strategy (vv. 4-5). He told them to make a surprise attack at noon (in the heat of the day when no one would expect it) and continue through the night (when most armies retire). He further directs the attack (vv. 6-15) by telling the Babylonians to chop down trees and build ramps against the walls of the city. He tells them how to do this with precision.

Jeremiah took no delight in bringing messages that threaten and make those around him uneasy (v. 11) but he could not contain himself. First he questioned why he should be speaking to a people who would not hear (v. 10). Then he acknowledged that it was his responsibility to speak because he had been made aware of God’s wrath (vv. 11-12). This was a result of their sins of covetousness (v. 13), because of them giving false hope by saying “peace, peace; when there was no peace (v. 14),” and by their not being ashamed when they should be (v. 15).

Application

It may not be popular for me to give a warning of God’s judgment but I have a responsibility to share with people that Jesus, God’s son is the only way they can escape this judgment and go to Heaven.

Jeremiah 6:1-15 (English Standard Version)


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