The Will of the People

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Opening Prayer

Powerful One, I acknowledge Your transformative presence. I long to cooperate, not resist Your formative work in my life.

Read Jeremiah 5:14-31

^[14] Therefore this is what the LORD God Almighty says: “Because the people have spoken these words, I will make my words in your mouth a fire and these people the wood it consumes. ^[15] People of Israel,” declares the LORD, “I am bringing a distant nation against you- an ancient and enduring nation, a people whose language you do not know, whose speech you do not understand. ^[16] Their quivers are like an open grave; all of them are mighty warriors. ^[17] They will devour your harvests and food, devour your sons and daughters; they will devour your flocks and herds, devour your vines and fig trees. With the sword they will destroy the fortified cities in which you trust. ^[18] “Yet even in those days,” declares the LORD, “I will not destroy you completely. ^[19] And when the people ask, ‘Why has the LORD our God done all this to us?’ you will tell them, ‘As you have forsaken me and served foreign gods in your own land, so now you will serve foreigners in a land not your own.’ ^[20] “Announce this to the descendants of Jacob and proclaim it in Judah: ^[21] Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear: ^[22] Should you not fear me?” declares the LORD. “Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it. ^[23] But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts; they have turned aside and gone away. ^[24] They do not say to themselves, ‘Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.’ ^[25] Your wrongdoings have kept these away; your sins have deprived you of good. ^[26] “Among my people are the wicked who lie in wait like men who snare birds and like those who set traps to catch people. ^[27] Like cages full of birds, their houses are full of deceit; they have become rich and powerful ^[28] and have grown fat and sleek. Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not seek justice. They do not promote the case of the fatherless; they do not defend the just cause of the poor. ^[29] Should I not punish them for this?” declares the LORD. “Should I not avenge myself on such a nation as this? ^[30] “A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: ^[31] The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?

Meditate

“Sin means to deviate from the right path and find ourselves under the verdict of guilty in the presence of the Eternal Judge” (Sinclair B. Ferguson). Jeremiah reminds the Israelites and us of this solemn truth.

Think Further

What had happened to Josiah’s reforms? Priests and prophets collude together in “a horrible and shocking thing” (30). As repeated through time it seems that although the reform instigator was genuine, priests and princes saw “long-cherished privileges … being exposed. The true prophet had no regard for vested interests … [while] lesser prophets could give oracles that supported the status quo” (John A. Thompson).

The people continue in the popular Baal cult–but Jeremiah exposes Baal’s impotency. Unlike Baal’s perpetual battle with the chaos monster of the sea, the Lord “made … an everlasting barrier” that controls the roaring waves (22). He, not Baal, controls the rain–the worship of Baal has been to no avail in drought (20-25). Jeremiah also exposes the active scheming of those with power (predominantly members of the royal-priestly establishment). They enhance their own wealth through deceit, while being inactive in care for the “fatherless … poor” (26-28). Previous oracles have spoken of short-sightedness in relying on alliances (Assyria and Egypt) but now mentioned is “trust” in their own fortifications (17). Gods other than the Lord and the security associated with power, riches and strong defense are all useless when God brings “a distant nation” (15, Babylon).

Over against the “wind” and “lies” of the false prophets (13,31), the “words” that God puts into Jeremiah’s “mouth” (14; 1:9) are “fire” that consumes all that the people are trusting in. The “fire” metaphor is repeated in 23:29, shattering the supposed solid “rocks” of the false prophets. The Lord is the “God of hosts” (14, NRSV), an expression embracing powerful authority over all heaven and earth, including the hosts (or armies) of the nations. His words alone are the sure guide in the present and into the future. The majority do not rule.

Apply

Who do you think are false prophets today? What is their lie and how do they profit? How can you be on your guard against them?

Closing prayer

Lord, it is so easy to deviate from Your path, to prefer other things before You. Today I resolve to correct my preferences and again make You first in my life.

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