How would you react if God told you that were set apart to declare His truth to an obstinate and headstrong nation? Would you fear the people you were going to reprove? Would you question whether God had the correct person for the job? “But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the LORD, to deliver you.” Jeremiah 1:17-18
The people of Israel needed to hear how far they had strayed from God. They declined from devotion to God into lustful idolatry seeking to fulfill their desires apart from God. The people abandoned God who intimately led them to the promised land as He daily proved that He was faithfulness and sufficiency. ”Your evil will chastise you, and your apostasy will reprove you. Know and see that it is evil and bitter for you to forsake the LORD your God; the fear of me is not in you, declares the Lord GOD of hosts. ”For long ago I broke your yoke and burst your bonds; but you said, ‘I will not serve.’ Yes, on every high hill and under every green tree you bowed down like a whore. Yet I planted you a choice vine, wholly of pure seed. How then have you turned degenerate and become a wild vine?” Jeremiah 2:19-21 Why do we easily stray from God even after we have experienced His goodness? We have all we need in God but we believe the lies that we are not truly satisfied in Him.
Is the story of Jeremiah any different than that of Christians today? We are called to be a light in this dark world pointing towards hope. Jeremiah was set apart as a stronghold against the sin in the lives of the Israelites. The world is full of phallic alters that are continually bowed down before. As disciples of Jesus Christ we must navigate this world of idols and speak the truth that Jesus Christ is all that is needed. Strength is not required to go and tell. Eloquence is not a necessity to communicate. The truth that Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary for the sins of the world is eloquence and strength. Will you tell of the greatness of the perfection that will destroy the idolatry of the world?
