Jeremiah 11b. A Time for Prayer; or Not.

  Where are we? We are studying the Book of Jeremiah who is often called “The Weeping Prophet.” There are several good reasons for that. Jeremiah preached to the government, to the religious leaders, and to the people of Judah, which was the remaining southern kingdom of the people of Israel. Such a task was no fun, and it was dangerous. 

 The people were following the same broad path as the northern Kingdom of Israel, the path that ended in suffering, death, and defeat. The whole population became prisoners of war and were resettled in foreign lands so that they would have neither land nor community by which to unite and rebel against the Assyrian empire. They never rebelled; they never returned. That is why they are still called ‘the Lost Tribes’. 

 In Jeremiah’s time, Judah was following the same path and likely to end up on the same garbage heap. Where was God in all this? Earlier, God had made it clear to Israel through prophets like Elijah, Elisha, Amos, and Hosea, that it was he himself who was permitting this to happen to Israel because the government and people together refused to follow the covenant and pursued other gods who they thought would enhance their position and satisfy their greed. 

Just over 100 years later now, God has called a new prophet, Jeremiah, to sound the warning and prophesy the downfall of Judah. That was why Jeremiah delivered God’s message at times weeping for his fellow countrymen.

 There was another reason though that gives us an insight into God’s character and the world mission that God is carrying out. The broken heart of Jeremiah reflected the broken heart of God who himself wept over his people. We saw the tender side of God when Jeremiah, on God’s order, says, “O that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of my people!”

 At the same time, God asks if his judgments are not true. “Shall I not punish them for these things? Says the LORD; and shall I not bring retribution on a nation such as this?” All of the prodding and correcting that God has done, and all the prophets God has sent as messengers has done no good. 

 Now God passes judgment: “Therefore, thus says the LORD, assuredly I am going to bring disaster upon them that they cannot escape; though they cry out to me, I will not listen to them.” 

 It is a terrible thing to be caught as a sinner in the hands of an angry God. Maybe Jeremiah can turn things by praying to the Lord. Maybe….

14-17.  As for you, do not pray for this people or lift up a cry or prayer on their behalf, for I will not listen when they call to me in the time of their trouble. What right has my beloved in my house, when she has done vile deeds? Can vows and sacrificial flesh avert your doom? Can you then exult? The LORD once called you, “A green olive tree, fair with goodly fruit,” but with the roar of a great tempest he will set fire to it, and its branches will be consumed. The LORD of armies, who planted you, has pronounced evil against you because of the evil that the house of Israel and the house of Judah have done, provoking me to anger by making offerings to Ba’al.

 It really is … too late! So much for election; to be chosen is one thing, to respond with obedience is another. No obedience, no election (see 11: 1-4). YHWH is certain, saying “They will cry to me, but I will not listen to them” (11: 11, see also 7: 16). God says that their practices of going to the temple, offering sacrifices, and rehearsing prayers will not work. So much for the hopeful phrase we hear: “Well, I go to church.” God in reply says, “So what?”

 Without real repentance (admitting the wrongs you have done) and regeneration (letting the Holy Spirit reconstruct you as a different person), there is no escape from punishment.

A few may remain faithful (a few green olives), a few may repent and turn back, but not the whole nation. Not a nation with a government intent on gaining power and keeping it by oppressing the people, especially the vulnerable classes and groups in society. 

 Jeremiah preaches his sermons that are critical of the government, aghast at society as it is, and condemn the people who mistreat others and think nothing of it. Government agents came after others; now they are coming for him. 

18-19.  It was the LORD who made it known to me, and I knew;   

then you showed me their deeds.

But I was like a gentle lamb   

led to the slaughter.

And I did not know it was against me   

that they devised schemes, saying,

"Let us destroy the tree with its fruit;   

let us cut him off from the land of the living,   

so that his name will no longer be remembered!”

 What has happened? Jeremiah’s life is threatened; someone is planning his assassination. Who? Surprise! It is the people of his own village, Anathoth. Worse yet, it is the members of his own priestly family (see 1: 1-3). 

 Jeremiah did not imagine that this was possible, even though God hinted at it. Thus, he was “like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter.” He knew that something was going on, but he never suspected that “it was against me!” King Josiah, whom Jeremiah supported in the early years of his preaching, tore down the altars to other gods although that put some priests out of a job. The more faithful ones were told to come to the temple in Jerusalem to participate in the rituals there (II Kings 23: 4-20).

 Further yet, Jeremiah preaches constantly against the government, warning the leaders about not caring for the people and exonerating the priests for failing to teach people the foundational truths about YHWH. Can different political and religious views divide a family? Really, do you have to ask that question?

20.  But you, O LORD of hosts, who judge righteously,   

who try the heart and the mind,     

let me see your retribution upon them,   

for to you I have committed my cause.

 Jeremiah realizes that God is right, and he submits to God’s retribution for Anathoth and also for all of Judah. Jeremiah does not seek retaliation; he lets God handle it. 

21-23.  Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the people of Anathoth who seek your life and say, “You shall not prophesy in the name of the LORD, or you will die by our hand”— therefore thus says the LORD of armies: I am going to punish them; the young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine, and not even a remnant shall be left of them. For I will bring disaster upon the people of Anathoth, the year of their punishment.

 So be it.