Articles
Ears that WILL not hear Jeremiah 4 to 6
Ears that WILL not hear Jeremiah 4 to 6
Throughout our reading today (Jer. 4-6), we see Jeremiah predicting a great nation coming from the north to punish Judah for her evil ways. This was Babylon, who DID destroy Judah and Jerusalem in 606-586 B.C. God didn't simply allow this, He purposed and caused this! It was God's judgment upon Judah. WHY did God do this?
"Because she has rebelled against Me,’ declares the Lord. “Your ways and your deeds have brought these things to you. This is your evil. How bitter! How it has touched your heart!” (4:17-18). “For My people are foolish, They know Me not; They are stupid children And have no understanding. They are shrewd to do evil, But to do good they do not know.” (4:22).
As God and Abraham discussed the possibility of finding a few godly people in Sodom, now God challenges to find ONE who does justice! (5.1) Though they were warned time and again by the prophets, "They refused to take correction. They refused to repent. They have 'forsaken God and sworn by those who are not gods. They were given to adultery and harlotry. (5.7) "They had eyes, but did not see. They had ears, but did not hear. They did not fear the Lord. They did not tremble in His presence. (5.21-22) They had a "stubborn and rebellious heart; they have turned aside and departed" (5.23). When instructed to 'seek the ancient paths', they responded: "We will not walk in it" (6:16).
Yet, in spite of their sins, they had the audacity to say: "Not He. Misfortune will not come on US. And WE will not see sword or famine." (5:12) In speaking about warning them of this disaster, God asks: "To whom shall I speak and give warning That they may hear? Behold, their ears are closed And they cannot listen. Behold, the word of the Lord has become a reproach to them; They have no delight in it." (6:10)
WHY did God do this? "Your iniquities have turned these away, And your sins have withheld good from you." (5:25) "Because they have not listened to My words, And as for My law, they have rejected it also." (6:19) Having ears to hear, the REFUSED to listen to God.
We are under a different covenant, yet people refuse to listen to God! Again, people are willfully ignorant of God's word having refused to listen. It brought the wrath of God against the people in Jeremiah's time, and it will bring the wrath of God against people today. Having ears to hear, are YOU listening to God's word?
Hugh DeLong
