JEREMIAH - CHAPTERS 2-4 "IDOLATRY, THE ROOT OF NATIONAL DISORDER - JEREMIAH II
JEREMIAH
Idolatry, the Root of National Disorder
Chapters 2, 3 & 4
Taught by: Carolyn Sissom
September 22, 2008
Chapter Two begins Jeremiah’s first sermon. There was sin in the nation. The Priests were indifferent, ignorant and disloyal. Idolatry, the substitution of God, was their besetting sin and the root of all their national disorder and misery.
2:11: “Has a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit.”
In the 2008, we can apply these chapters to our nation, the nation of Israel, and the apostate church as well as all idolatrous nations.
The desertion and renunciation of the God of their fathers was without parallel in the history of all idolatrous nations. They had committed the incredible folly of a self-willed departure from dependence upon God in favor of a self-determined and self-sufficient life.
(Vs. 13) “For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.”
He begins his sermon by reviewing the Lord’s goodness and then proclaims an expose of the apostasy of Judah. Their alliance with the Egyptians and Assyrians had resulted in disastrous consequences.
(16-19) “Also the children of Noph and Tahapanes have broken the crown of your head. Have you not brought this unto yourself, in that you have forsaken the Lord your god, when he led you by the way? Now what have you to do with Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? Or what have you to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river? You own wickedness shall correct you, and your backslidings shall reprove you: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that you have forsaken the Lord your God, and the Fear of the Lord is not in you, says the Lord God of hosts.
These alliances resulted in disastrous consequences. God’s people had become like:
1. 2:20 a stubborn ox.
2. 2:21 a degenerate vine
3. 2: 22-25 a lustful prostitute
4. 2:26 a shameless thief
5. 2: 27-28 a foolish idolater.
6. 2: 29-32 a thoughtless, thankless people
7. 2:33 - an impudent transgressor
8. 2: 34-37 - a blinded nation.
One Hundred years earlier, Isaiah saved Jerusalem from overthrow by the Assyrians by his warnings. Jeremiah was called upon to try to save the people from the Babylonians, but this time the warnings were not going to be heeded. God made this known to Jeremiah. This is the persistent message of this book and for twenty chapters Jeremiah appeals, advises, warns, woos and sometimes denounces.
Judah’s reply to God’s complaint was 2:31b, “We are broken loose, we will come no more unto you.”
Jeremiah’s commission has commenced. He was commanded to utter a great impeachment in the ears of Jerusalem. His sermon reminds them of their history, their present idolatrous condition and their penalty.
(12-13): “Be astonished, o you heavens of this, and be horribly afraid, and be you very desolate, says the Lord.”
The Heavens are called upon to witness the indictment of the Lord. (Deut. 21:1; Isa. 1:2). Israel had committed two evils: she had abandoned God and had chosen to serve idols.
Here is a clear contrast between the Living Spring and Broken Vessel
Rev. 13 – Old Covenant – Adamic Nature – Broken Vessel – by works
Rev. 14 – New Covenant – Christ Nature – Living spring – by Grace.
34: “Also in your skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these, yet you say, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with you, because you say, I have not sinned….37b “you shall not prosper in them.”
This is another scripture that condemns abortion as well as the abuse of the children in our nation.
Chapter 3: “Those Days” (14-19)
The prophet here appeals to the people, commending with a declaration that Jehovah’s love is greater than man’s. Jeremiah then points out the condition of return. He describes the sin of Israel, and of Judah, and appealing to each in turn. God reminds them of the reformation under Josiah when Judah made a pretense of turning to God. He appeals to them:
(12-14) “Go and proclaims these words toward the north, and say return, you backsliding Israel, says the Lord; and I will not cause my anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful says the Lord, and I will not keep anger forever. Only acknowledge your iniquity, that you have transgressed against the Lord your god, and have scattered your ways to the strangers under every green tree, and you have not obeyed my voice says the Lord. Turn, O backsliding children, says the Lord; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion.”
They must recognize the vanity of expecting help from any source other than Jesus.
The Day of the Lord and the Feast of Tabernacles is capsuled in 3: 15-19: “ That time” is now “This Time” and “Those days” are presently “These days!” (11 Peter. 1:12)
(15-19) “I will give you pastors according o my heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. It shall come to pass when you are multiplied and increased in the land, in THOSE DAYS, SAYS 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. But I said, How shall I put you among the children, and give you a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? And I said, You shall call me, ‘My father; and shall not turn away from me.”
11 Peter 1:12 “I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of THOSE DAYS, though you know them and be established in the present truth…(vs.25) I will endeavor that you may be able after my decease to have THESE THINGS always in re
Out of every nation people will come to Zion. This is the Overcomer of Rev. 2: 16-28; and the firstfruits company of Rev. 14: 1-6; and the Sons of God of Romans 8:29. The key to this restoration is the return to godly leadership (Eph. 4:11 Isa. 1:26)) The natural ark here speaks of the Old Covenant or the Old Order. The Church (Spiritual and Natural Redeemed Israel) shall become the praise of the whole earth. Jesus Christ is the mercy-seat, the ark of the covenant and the throne of grace. This is a more excellent ministry of a living, creative word of forgiveness and blessing which will not impute men’s trespasses unto them. All nations, denominations, and concepts shall be gathered unto the Lord Who indwells His people. This will include O.T. and N.T. saints. It is the return to Eden and man created in the image of God who is given dominion over the earth.
Chapter 4: “The Lord Lives, in truth, in judgment and in Righteousness.”
The people did not respond to the prophet’s previous words, so he continues his impassioned plea.
Judah could still escape captivity by returning to God through a change of her ways.
(Verse 3) “Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.”
Judah’s heart was not yet changed and full of the seeds of her former wickedness. The prophet’s anguish is here revealed as he sees the judgment falling.
(19-16) “My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart makes a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because you have heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment. How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet: For my people are foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have no understanding; they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.”
- 4: 1-2 Call to Return
- 3-4 Circumcision of Heart
- 5-8 Coming of the invader (Destroyer of the Gentiles)
- 9-10 Corruption of Leadership
- 11-13 Coming of the Judgment
- 14-18 Cause of the Judgment
- 19-22 Cry of the Prophet
- 23-28 Chaos in the Land
- 29-31 Confusion of the People.
4:2: The Lord lives in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness, and the nations shall bless themselves in him and in him shall they glory.
Blessed Be the Name of the Lord.
Carolyn Sissom, Pastor
Eastgate Ministries, Inc.
Scripture from King James Bible
Text from Principles of Present Truth from: Jeremiah by Kelly Varner00000000
Comments and conclusions are my own.