Jeremiah 3: Still time: but not much

 Chapter 4 of Jeremiah begins on a note of hope, but it is a faint hope.  If we cleanse our hearts, if turn away from our selfishness and greed, if…God seems to know that people do not give up their ill-gotten gains easily.  We continue along our chosen path, sowing among thorns (or with pesticides and fertilizers) hoping that the land won’t become barren even though we know it will.  We don’t like to read about a God who is determined to destroy us when we thought we had everything under control.  Yet it is not God but our ways and our doings that have brought the disaster upon us. (Ecological destruction, climate change, a torn social safety net and unrestrained capitalist growth have all contributed to the problems we face today.) The heart of the prophet who sees disaster coming yet cannot stop it is in anguish.  The politicians are astounded that they can no longer hold things together and keep going along their familiar path.  In the midst of our desolation we put on our make-up and buy the latest fashion.  Yet, hidden in all this unavoidable disaster is the small promise:  I will not make a full end. 

4 If you return, O Israel, says the Lord, if you return to me, and do not waver, and if you swear, “As the Lord lives!” in truth, in justice, and in uprightness, then nations shall be blessed by him, and by him they shall boast.

3 For thus says the Lord to the people of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Break up your fallow ground, and do not sow among thorns.

4 Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, remove the foreskin of your hearts,
or else my wrath will go forth like fire, and burn with no one to quench it,
    because of the evil of your doings.

Invasion and Desolation of Judah Threatened

5 Declare in Judah, and proclaim in Jerusalem, and say:  your cities will be ruins without inhabitant.  On that day, courage shall fail the king and the officials; the priests shall be appalled and the prophets astounded. 

14 O Jerusalem, wash your heart clean of wickedness so that you may be saved.
How long shall your evil schemes lodge within you?
18 Your ways and your doings have brought this upon you.
This is your doom; how bitter it is! It has reached your very heart.”

The Prophet Mourns

19 My anguish, my anguish! I writhe in pain! Oh, the walls of my heart!
My heart is beating wildly; I cannot keep silent;

20 Disaster overtakes disaster, the whole land is laid waste.
22 “For the people are foolish, they do not know God;
they are stupid children, they have no understanding.
They are skilled in doing evil, but do not know how to do good.”

 


28 Because of this the earth shall mourn, and the heavens above grow black;
30 And you, O desolate one, what do you mean that you dress in crimson,
    that you deck yourself with ornaments of gold, that you enlarge your eyes with paint?
In vain you beautify yourself.

27 For thus says the Lord: The whole land shall be a desolation; yet I will not make a full end.

 

Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 16, 2020 at 11:04 AM

    Sounds familiar...I think this is the year to enjoy Advent in all its implications..
    I ponder,..Best Wishes

    ReplyDelete

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