An Appalling and Horrible Thing
Jeremiah lived in a time when God's people were engaged in gross idolatry and direct rebellion against their God. It was a very sad time. However, there was one thing that Jeremiah said was "appalling and horrible." For him to say that, it must have been particularly devastating for the Lord to see this happen to His people. (Jeremiah 5:30,31) Unfortunately, it is not unlike what is happening in many churches today in the USA.
The prophets were prophesying falsely, and the priests were ruling on their own authority. Today, we see so many false prophets speaking things contrary to the Word of God, and we see so many church leaders who are leading in their own authority, not according to what God has given them authority to do. However, that was not the appalling and horrible thing. The thing that made Jeremiah and the Lord so appalled was that "my people love it so." The people of God were happy about the situation. They loved and followed their prophets and priests so willingly. They did not stand up for God's Word and the truth, at all. They were very satisfied.
I am very glad it is not that way in every church, but it is very pervasive today. People know the Bible, but they have gone against it, and they have accepted false teaching and rulers who go their own way. They think everything is fine, but Jeremiah ends in a question we need to consider, "But what will you do at the end of it?" By taking this path, what will happen in the end for our churches? What will happen when we stand before the Lord? What does it mean for our entire society? I am afraid it means we are not far from the judgment of God, and His judgment begins at the house of God.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 6-9.
The prophets were prophesying falsely, and the priests were ruling on their own authority. Today, we see so many false prophets speaking things contrary to the Word of God, and we see so many church leaders who are leading in their own authority, not according to what God has given them authority to do. However, that was not the appalling and horrible thing. The thing that made Jeremiah and the Lord so appalled was that "my people love it so." The people of God were happy about the situation. They loved and followed their prophets and priests so willingly. They did not stand up for God's Word and the truth, at all. They were very satisfied.
I am very glad it is not that way in every church, but it is very pervasive today. People know the Bible, but they have gone against it, and they have accepted false teaching and rulers who go their own way. They think everything is fine, but Jeremiah ends in a question we need to consider, "But what will you do at the end of it?" By taking this path, what will happen in the end for our churches? What will happen when we stand before the Lord? What does it mean for our entire society? I am afraid it means we are not far from the judgment of God, and His judgment begins at the house of God.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 6-9.