The book of Jeremiah is filled with declarations of coming judgment, but is punctuated at times with a message of hope for the future of the Jews and the nation of Israel. One of the first mentions of that hope is found in chapter 3.
It should be noted that God was faithful to send His prophets to proclaim His truth among the people and encourage them to repent from their evil ways and turn back to God in faith and obedience.
2 Kings 17:13–14 “Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets. Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God.”
The sad observation regarding the response of the people, “they would not hear.” They were stiff-necked and stubborn, determined to hold onto their sinful ways. Still, God is faithful to declare that repentance will result in forgiveness and blessing—and the same is true today.
Jeremiah 3:12–13 “…Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever. Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God….”
Jeremiah 3:14–18 “Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD…And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more. At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart. In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.”
A natural reading of the above passage clearly describes a time yet future—a time when Jerusalem will be known as the throne of the LORD. It is a time when “all the nations” will recognize the LORD on the throne in Jerusalem. It is a time when Israel will experience the fulfillment of the covenant made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob regarding possession of the land.
Genesis 13:14–15 “And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.”
It’s interesting to note that the point is made that at that time the ark of the covenant will have no significance to the people. The ark was representative of the throne of God and His presence among the people. In that day the Lord Jesus will reign in person from the throne of David and dwell among the people.
God describes the response of the people to Jeremiah's message in a poignant verse in chapter 4. Following is an excerpt from my journal on that verse.
Jeremiah 4:22 “For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.”
This verse seems to begin God’s answer to Jeremiah’s question in verse 21. He declares the people of Israel, specifically Judah in context, to be foolish—perverse, willfully wicked. “Sottish” children again emphasizes silly (lacking in judgment) from a root that means “to be fat.” One definition from Webster for fat that seems to apply is: “Exhibiting the qualities of a fat animal; coarse; heavy; gross; dull; stupid.” These comments flow easily in context with the statement that they have no understanding; I believe spiritual understanding is the implication. This conclusion is clarified by the next statement—they are wise to do evil but seem to have no understanding of how to do good.
When man chose to rebel against God and inherited a sin nature, it became natural for man to choose to do evil. This does not excuse evil actions because scripture is clear from the very beginning that men knew what was acceptable before God and what was not. Evil is identified in contrast to that which is good and acceptable. Though men may argue the fact, it doesn’t change the truth that God is the source of truth and goodness.
Deuteronomy 32:3–4 “Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.”
John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life….”
1 Chronicles 16:34 “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.”
Psalms 34:8 “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”
Those who choose to do evil show themselves to be children of the devil.
John 8:44 “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
Acts 13:10 “… thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?”
1 John 3:8 “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.”
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