repeating himself

Good morning friends,
If you're feeling a little warn down by Jeremiah's message, you are not alone. It seems we keep hearing the same words of judgment in different ways again and again. There's a joke about a new pastor at a church. Her first Sunday in the pulpit she preached an incredibly powerful sermon that simply riveted the whole congregation. When the sermon ended the search committee congratulated each other and there were ripples of joy throughout the church. The next week, to everyone's surprise, the pastor preached the same sermon. It was still a powerful message and people remarked that they had noticed insights that they hadn't caught the first time. The third week, lo and behold, she preached the exact same sermon again. People were becoming confused and a bit doubtful. One brave member approached the pastor on the way out of the sanctuary and said, "Now pastor, we can tell you're a strong preacher and we're glad to have you here. I'm just a little bit confused about why you've preached the same sermon three weeks running." The pastor answered, "As soon as you start living the first sermon, I'll move on to another one."

Jeremiah must have felt like the pastor in the joke. He was tired of sharing the same message too. At the same time, he couldn't do anything but warn the people again and again, and his warnings fell on deaf ears. Some people did listen; Jeremiah had a few allies among the powerful and also had a faithful assistant in his work. For the most part though, the political and religious leaders went on with business as usual. The oppression of the poor continued; the search for an alliance with Egypt to protect Judah from Assyria and Babylon continued; the ceremonial worship of God continued while there was still widespread idolatry. All Jeremiah could do is share the message God gives him. The question that hangs in the background throughout this book is, "Will the people respond?" What will our answer be today?

God bless,
Sam

Jeremiah 4:22-28
21How long must I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet? 22“For my people are foolish, they do not know me; they are stupid children, they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but do not know how to do good.” 23I looked on the earth, and lo, it was waste and void; and to the heavens, and they had no light. 24I looked on the mountains, and lo, they were quaking, and all the hills moved to and fro. 25I looked, and lo, there was no one at all, and all the birds of the air had fled. 26I looked, and lo, the fruitful land was a desert, and all its cities were laid in ruins before the Lord, before his fierce anger.

27For thus says the Lord: The whole land shall be a desolation; yet I will not make a full end. 28Because of this the earth shall mourn, and the heavens above grow black; for I have spoken, I have purposed; I have not relented nor will I turn back.