I've been enjoying my study of the book of Jeremiah even though it has a dark tone about it. Jeremiah, who has been called the weeping prophet, was given a job few would ever desire. Over and over, God called him to speak judgments and warnings to the wayward people of Israel. In Chapter 1, Jeremiah laments his youth, "Behold I cannot speak, for I am a youth." God counters him by saying, "Do not say, I am a youth...do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you..." God would tell him what to say. Jeremiah was to trust God and speak truth.
In Chapter 2, Jeremiah is given sermon material which includes chastising the people for committing two evils, "They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns,-broken cisterns that can hold no water." Imagine that sermon on Sunday morning. Not exactly "seeker friendly."
It gets worse...in Chapter 5, the Babylonian Captivity is referenced with these words..."Just as you have forsaken Me and served foreign gods in your land, so you shall serve aliens in a land that is not yours..." They would be taken from their homes and forced to serve a ruler not their own. There again, not very "seeker friendly." But, true.
In the midst of the all the dark pronouncements, however, the one, true God, who made heaven and earth, repeatedly offered hope. Forgiveness. Pardon. In Chapter 9, He reminds the people to not glory in their riches, wisdom or might, but instead to glory in these things..."that he understands and know Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth, for in these I delight..."
In Chapter 17, God commends the man who trusts and hopes in the Him. "For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes, but its leaf shall be green...
And finally, Chapter 24, verse 7. A very hopeful passage..."Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart."
And so it is with God, the Creator. Yes, He speaks truth and judgment, but He is ever merciful. What a gracious Father He is!
