Explore the Bible Lesson Preview June 12, 2011 "Get Back on Track" Background: Jeremiah 2:1-6:30 Lesson: Jeremiah 3:12b-17; 4:1-4

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1 Explore the Bible Lesson Preview June 12, 2011 "Get Back on Track" Background: Jeremiah 2:1-6:30 Lesson: Jeremiah 3:12b-17; 4:1-4 Motivation: Paul writes to the Romans "For the wages of sin is death..." (6:23). God lovingly instructs us through His Word; but, He demands obedience to it. F ailure to heed His clear commands will lead to judgment. Examination: I. Case For Unfaithfulness (2:1-37) A. Regret "I remember you, the kindness of your youth...israel was holiness to the Lord" (2-3). A primary result of unfaithfulness is regret for "what might have been." Believer's Study Bible, p. 1010: 2:2 "The Hebrew word translated "kindness" is hesed; it usually refers to God's loving kindness expressed in His covenant relationship with Israel. God's hesed denotes persistent and unconditional tenderness, kindness, and mercy, a relationship in which God seeks after man with love and mercy. Man's hesed is pictured in the loving bride who clings to her beloved bridegroom. 1 / 12

2 This state of betrothal between God and Israel is the period from Israel's deliverance out of Egypt to the establishment of the covenant at Sinai. Here it refers to Israel's love for YAHWEH, which the nation had expressed in days gone by. In v. 7, the words "a bountiful country" ( karmel, Heb.) literally mean "a garden land." The picture is one of protection and security made possible by God's presence and goodness." (2 Chron. 16:9) B. Remembrance "I brought you into a bountiful country, to eat its fruit and its goodness. But when you entered, you defiled My land and made My heritage an abomination." (7) God's people forgot God's power (32) and turned to idols, a synonym in Hebrew for "emptiness." (Deut. 18:9-14) C. Renunciation "Therefore, I will yet bring charges against you" (9) Believer's Study Bible, p. 1011: 2:9 "The Hebrew term translated "bring charges" is a legal term denoting "contending." The people of Israel have put themselves in the position of defendant. God is both plaintiff and judge, setting forth His accusations. No defendant can escape condemnation (1:16) as long as he continues in rebellion (Ezek. 33:11; 2 Pet. 3:9)." "For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns - broken cisterns that cannot hold water" (13) Believer's Study Bible 2 / 12

3 , p. 1011: 2:13 "Ancient landowners would dig cisterns to collect the rainwater. To insure that the cistern would hold water, the landowner plastered it inside with lime. Often cracks would develop and the water would leak out. In like manner Israel had abandoned YAHWEH, the "fountain of life" or "fountain of living waters" (cf. Ps. 36:9; Prov. 13:14; 16:22; Is. 55:1; John 4:10-14; 7:37-39) for man-made powerless gods. They had committed two "evils": they had forsaken YAHWEH, and they had tried to improve on Him." (Isa. 44:17-20) D. Remorse "Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing that you have forsaken the Lord your God." (19) Believer's Study Bible, p : 2:20-29 "The writer uses seven illustrations to show the breakdown of loyalty of Jeremiah's people: (1) an ox that has burst out of its yoke (v. 20); (2) an unfaithful wife who has been enticed by other lovers (v. 20b); (3) a "noble vine" (v. 21) which God planted (in Hebrew it is emphatic, "I, I Myself planted") that turned into a "degenerate plant" (from sur, Heb., "to turn aside, apostatize"); (4) a man who washes with "lye" (v. 22) and "soap," yet is unable to cleanse himself from his "iniquity"; (5) a "dromedary" out on its own, wandering about with no clear direction (v. 23); (6) a "wild donkey" during her heat period, out of control, running about sniffing the wind (v. 24); and (7) a thief who is overcome with shame when he is caught (v. 26)." E. Rationalization "Yet you say, Because I am innocent, surely His anger shall turn from me.' Behold, I will plead My case against you, because you say, I have not sinned'" (35) The whole of chapter two is an indictment of Israel's unfaithfulness to God. They turned to idols (5), ceased to worship Him (8), made alliances with Egypt and Assyria resulting in King Josiah's death (16-18, cf. 2 Kings 23:29), committed adultery while 3 / 12

4 worshipping Canaanite fertility gods (20), actually gave credit to false gods for their existence (27), murdered prophets (30), and innocents (34), and flaunted their rebellion publicly (34b). Yet, there was no conviction of sin; the people rationalized their innocence. II. Call to Repentance (3:1-4:4) A. Return "...you have played the harlot with many lovers; yet return to Me; says the Lord" (3:1b) Believer's Study Bible, p. 1013: 3:1 "The Lord directs Judah's attention to Deut. 24: 1-4. The same law is applied to Judah, the espoused wife (2:2) of YAHWEH, Judah deserted her husband (2:32) and took other lovers. The very thought of her returning is inconceivable, and yet the Lord continues to plead with His people. The symbol of marital infidelity as representative of Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness is found also in the prophecies of Hosea (Hos. 2:2-23; Judges 2:17)." B. Reflect "So it came to pass, through her casual harlotry that she defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees. And yet for all this, her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense..." (9-10) Believer's Study Bible, p. 1014: 3:9 "This verse contains the solemn warning not to treat sin lightly. The people of Judah treated adultery casually ( qol, Heb., "light, frivolous") and joined their sister in the practice of the fertility cult. There is also bitter irony here. Forsaking the "fountain of living waters" (2:13), Judah has turned to gods of "stones" and "trees" (cf. 2:27). 4 / 12

5 These were instruments of the fertility cult." C. Remember " Return, backsliding Israel', says the Lord, I will not cause my anger to fall on you.' For I am merciful...only acknowledge your iniquity that you have transgressed against the Lord your God" (12-13a). Although Israel had already been judged, Judah had been given a time of grace in which to repent. If they could learn from the lesson of the Northern Kingdom, they would be given: "Zion" (14) a land of peace and prosperity. "Shepherds according to My heart" (15) Spiritual leaders who will feed and guide God's people. (John 10:11; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 5:4) "Jerusalem" (16) a focal point of the nations, "the Throne of the Lord" "Judah...Israel" (18) a unified kingdom. Unfortunately, Israel would have to wait for the millennial kingdom to see these blessings. In her rebellion, she threw them all away despite God's continued entreaties (4:1). Amos 9:11-15; Acts 15:16-17 D. Report "Break up your fallow ground..." (4:3) Believer's Study Bible, p. 1015: 4:3, 4 "These verses show the necessity and difficulty of repentance. The "fallow ground' (v. 3) refers to the unplowed ground which is sun baked and possibly covered with weeds (Hos. 10:12). God says, "Break [plow] it up." The prophet also calls for a radical alteration in the hearts of the men of Judah. 5 / 12

6 Circumcision was an outward sign of the Abrahamic covenant. Jeremiah calls for a circumcision of the heart, the total inner man." III. Consequences of Unfaithfulness (4:5-31) "For I will bring disaster from the north, and great destruction. The lion has come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of nations is on his way" (6-7) The remainder of chapter four describes the awesome penalty for sin. (cf. 5:15-17) Jeremiah's sigh in verse 10, adds an ironic twist: God never promised peace in return for rebellion and idolatry. Josiah's reforms obviously did not result in true repentance. IV. Comprehensiveness of Corruption (5:1-6:30) A. Corruption of Judah (5:1-31) 1. Reduction "run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem; see now and know; and seek in her open places if you can find a man. If there is anyone who executes judgment, who seeks the truth, and I will pardon her" ( 1) Jerusalem had been reduced to this: not one righteous person could be found! Rom. 3: Realization "O Lord, are not your eyes on the truth?" (3) God is the author of truth and seeks a people of truth. But Judah dealt falsely with God and even lied to themselves. (12) 6 / 12

7 2 Thes. 2: Refusal "How shall I pardon you for this?" Your children have forsaken Me and sworn to these that are not gods" (7). Verse eight graphically describes the moral decay of the nation. 4. Remnant " Nevertheless in those days' says the Lord, I will not make a complete end of you'" (18) God always promises a remnant. 5. Rebellion "But this people has a defiant and rebellious heart. They have revolted and departed." (23) The essence of sin is rebellion against God's plan and purpose. 6. Refusal "Astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power; and MY people love to have it so." (31) Believer's Study Bible, p. 1019: 5:30, 31 "Even the priests and the prophets have become corrupt and self-serving. Astonishing' ( shammah, Heb.) refers to something appalling. 7 / 12

8 It is appalling and horrifying that the priests and prophets would pervert the message of God and that the people would "love to have it so." Even Jeremiah's chilling words, "What will you do in the end?" referring to the coming judgment, could not shake the people from their false complacency." Isa. 56:10-11 B. Calamity from the North (6:1-30) 1. Siege of Jerusalem (1-6) "For disaster appears out of the north" (1b) The defenseless nature of Jerusalem is likened to a "Lovely and delicate woman." The council of war of the enemy is chronicled in Sinfulness of Jerusalem (7-10, 13-15) a. "Full of oppression" (6) b. "Wells up with her wickedness" (7) c. "violence and plundering" (7b) d. "Their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot give heed. Behold, the Word of the Lord is a reproach to them; they have no delight in it" (10) 8 / 12

9 e. "Everyone is given to covetousness" (13) Heb. 13:5; Col. 3:5; Rev. 3:17 f. "And from the prophet even to the priest, everyone deals falsely" (13b) g. "They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly ("trifle", "scant") saying Peace, peace!' when there is no peace" (14) h. "They were not at all ashamed" (15) 3. Sentence "Therefore, I am full of the fury of the Lord" (11) Jeremiah leaves no doubt where the judgment originates. Although He will use an army from the north as His instrument, the punishment comes from God. " I will stretch out My hand against the inhabitants of the land' says the Lord." (12) " Therefore, they shall fall among those who fall; at the time I will punish them. They shall be cast down', says the Lord" 4. Stubbornness (cf. 28) God's Instructions People's Response 9 / 12

10 "...ask for the old paths...and walk (16) in it" "We will not walk in it" (16) "Listen to the sound of the trumpet" (17) "We will not listen" (17b) "Your burnt offerings are not acceptable" (20) "...they have not heeded My Words" (19) 5. Sounds of Conquest "Their voice roars like the sea" (23) "We have heard the reports of it" (24) "Make mourning as for an only son, most bitter lamentation" (26) 6. Survey "I have set you as an assayer...that you may know and test their 10 / 12

11 way" (27)... "People will call them rejected silver, because the Lord has rejected them." (30) Application: (2 Tim. 3:1-5) 1. God lovingly instructs us through His Word. 2. God asks for obedience from a heart for Him. 3. Failure to obey God's Word leads to judgment. Leader Pack: Item 5: Handout: Get Back on Track Biblical Illustrator: p. 11: "Jeremiah's Message of Hope" Notes: **You may access David's Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: Dates: 2011: 6/2-8/4 - MetroLIVE - Thursdays; 6/3 - Children's Summer Kickoff; 6/3 - Parents Night Out; 6/3-4 - RUSHAPALOOZA for MS & HS; 6/ Camp 456; 6/12 - Make it Your Church; 6/ VBS; 6/25 - SPF Noah's Ark Water Fun (away); 11 / 12

12 6/29 - A Midsummer Night's Thing; 7/3 - July 4 th weekend - usual sched.; 7/4 - Church offices closed for Holiday; 7/9-1 & 2 grade Family Fun Day at Hunt; 7/9 - Men Pray Event; 7/ Houston Project; 7/ Summer Week of Choir; 7/ RUSH Week for 7 th - 12 th. 12 / 12