A Personal Confession
Welcome back. Today, we venture deeper into the emotionally charged message of the prophet Jeremiah, reading chapters 4 through 6. But before we begin, I have a small confession.
While I read my Bible daily, I sometimes work ahead on these devotionals so I can manage other responsibilities. A brief hospital stay once taught me the value of preparation. Last week, I took a brief vacation to visit my in-laws in New Mexico. I had worked ahead, and now, as I return to my keyboard, I wish I could offer a cheerful, hope-filled message. But I cannot.
A Festival of Folly
While in New Mexico, I learned of a longstanding tradition in Santa Fe called Zozobra—a century-old Native American-inspired festival, broadcast on all the local television stations. Sadly, despite its cultural heritage, what I witnessed was blatant idolatry.
Then, this morning, I opened my Bible and read that God had had enough. In Jeremiah’s day, Israel’s idolatry and disobedience had reached a breaking point. God calls out to them:
“If you, Israel, will return, then return to me,” declares the Lord. “If you put your detestable idols out of my sight and no longer go astray, and if in a truthful, just and righteous way you swear, ‘As surely as the Lord lives’…” (Jer. 4:1–2, NIV)
But Israel won’t return. And because of that, God declares His wrath will come upon them.
Even the Wicked
Israel had once feared Assyria, but now God will raise up Nebuchadnezzar—referred to as the lion—to come from Babylon. Babylon was an enemy of Israel and far from righteous. Yet God, in His sovereignty, can use even the wicked to fulfill His purposes.
He does not create or delight in evil, but He permits it for His glory when it aligns with His justice. As C.S. Lewis observed, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain.” (1) He can use trials—even from unrighteous nations or people—to wake us up.
In reverse, when we want God to bless our plans, we must ensure they don’t stem from unrighteous motives. God will not support prideful or selfish efforts. As Henry Blackaby wrote, “Watch to see where God is working and join Him.” (2) Often, we try to force our own plans when God is already moving—we just need to align our will with His.
Divine Discipline
The Israelites were God’s chosen people, but they would not acknowledge or revere Him. They “prostituted” themselves with alliances and idols. In response, God allowed foreign nations to overtake them, starting a series of exiles that would last seventy years.
As Matthew Henry said, “When lesser calamities do not rouse sinners and reform nations, sentence will be given against them.” (3)
This is not a new pattern. Scripture and history alike are full of examples where nations rise, God blesses them, then they forget Him. They keep the outer form of worship but abandon the heart of obedience. They maintain the habit of public worship, but something darkens their hearts.
We see it today: societies that idolize evil, celebrate wickedness, and neglect God’s call to righteousness. Just as in Jeremiah’s time, God will eventually turn away and allow evil to prevail as judgment.
The Grief
He did it in Romans 1:24. He does it in Jeremiah. And unless we heed the warning of Jeremiah 4:1–2, He will do it again. He pleads for them to wash the evil from their hearts and be saved. (v. 4:6)
But the people won’t. And God’s words in verse 18 reveal the sorrow behind His judgment:
“Your own conduct and actions have brought this on you.” (v. 4:18)
I empathize with God here. It’s like when we discipline our children not out of anger, but out of love. The punishment hurts us because we know it’s necessary.
“My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good.” (Jer. 4:22)
Not Utter Destruction
Still, there is mercy. God says:
“The whole land will be ruined, though I will not destroy it completely.” (Jer. 4:27)
He clarifies that if just one person is righteous, He will spare the city:
“If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city.” (Jer. 5:1)
But He didn’t find one in Sodom. And I fear He may not find one here either. Verse 6 warns that judgment is coming from all directions—the lion, the wolf, and the leopard. They will ravage the people “because they do not belong to the Lord.” (Jer. 5:10)
The Only Hope
Yet that line contains our one hope: belonging to the Lord. We must give ourselves to Him fully, repenting of our selfish ways and aligning our hearts with His.
Today is the day to evaluate: Who is leading your life?
Are you living under your own authority? Do you resist guidance, saying, “No one tells me what to do”?
That attitude will not stand before a holy God. We must bow to the One who is worthy of telling us what to do—and we must do what He says.
Final Thought
The Lord is patient, but He is also just. He desires repentance, not destruction. But if we continue to turn away, the Lion of Babylon will come. The Lord will spare only those who belong to Him.
Tomorrow, we will read Jeremiah 7-9.
Citations
C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain (New York: HarperOne, 2001), 91.
Henry T. Blackaby and Claude V. King, Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2008), 70.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible, Jeremiah 4, via BibleStudyTools.com.