The Results of Refusing to Receive Correction
April 20, 2019
Commentary
Jerusalem was about to fall into the hands of the political enemy from without because of the spiritual enemies of God working from within. Jeremiah is commanded to search Jerusalem and Judah for a man. He searched among the common people in the city squares, but he found none (vv. 1-2). He reasoned this was because they did not know the judgments of God, having refused to receive correction, which had made their hearts like rock (v. 3). Jeremiah then searched among the great men, and the leaders, but with the same results (vv. 4-5).
If just one righteous man could be found, perhaps the Lord would spare the city for the sake of this one. Because of their wickedness they had brought judgment upon themselves and they must bear the blame for it (vv. 6-9). God disowns them and dooms them to destruction (v. 10). There were, of course, a few who were still faithful to Jehovah, but the vast majority of the people were given wholly to idolatry and sexual impurity. Surely he could find some righteous people among those who had entered into a covenant with God and sworn to keep it. However, the preachers, and the prophets, were found to be just as guilty (v. 11). Representing both houses, Israel and Judah, the prophets had denied God and His judgment (v. 12).
They have defied the judgment of god (vv 12-13). They did not fear what God is when they said, “It is not He; neither shall evil come upon us” (v. 12). The people refused to believe that God would ever destroy Jerusalem. Instead, they said that He would do nothing and that the prophets Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and others who were predicting doom were just “full of wind” (v. 13).
Application
My testimony is important. I may be the only witness that some people will come in contact with. Since I am the only Bible that many people may ever read I want to be a glaring headline for 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.’”
Illustration: Geese Fly in a V Formation
Have you ever wondered why geese fly in a V formation? As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird following. In a V formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% more flying range than if each bird flew alone. Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone. Like geese, people who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier than those who try and go at it alone. When a goose gets tired, it rotates to the back of the formation and another goose flies at the point position. If people had as much sense as geese, they would realize that ultimately their success depends on working as a team, taking turns during the hard tasks, and sharing leadership. (Stephen Smarowsky – Sermon Central).