What The Bible Has Been Saying All Along

So these officials went to the king and said, “Sir, this man must die! That kind of talk will undermine the morale of the few fighting men we have left, as well as that of all the people. This man is a traitor!” [Jeremiah 38.4] 

This is the treatment one can expect for decrying idolatry. It was then, and it is now.

At first the prophet's word starts out and is discounted as as "crazy talk." But when it starts to get real and the prophecies start to manifest as "reality," the prophet is to blame.

To be sure, none of Jeremiah's troubles would have happened if he had not pointed out the people's idolatry. People don't like their idols revealed. They didn't in Jeremiah's day, and they don't now.

The Bible means nothing to modern man if it does not shed light on his present condition. The Bible's repeated warnings against betraying undivided trust in God alone, or, idolatry, is timeless.

The Bible's repeated warnings against idolatry all consolidate into one message: that idols will eventually fail. The problem with this fact is that idols don't fail until they have secured their idolatrous victims to fall with them. Then, both they and those who trust them fall into devastation assigned by God.

If this author could simply point to the Bible, it would be pointed out everywhere that the modern-day idol industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology will all eventually meet with disaster. The world witnessed a precursor to this in the Covid pandemic (the realities of which are only just now coming to light). To be sure, and as the Bible is true, more is to come that will make the Covid pandemic seem like a child's game. In all likelihood, artificial intelligence (AI) will erupt into the next worldwide disaster. If the world thought the Covid virus got out of hand (for whatever reasons, accidental or intentional), it should brace itself for how out of hand AI will become (and is becoming even now). As deep a mark as Covid left on the planet earth, AI will make it look like a harmless scratch. And still, the world, with God's people fully onboard, races forward with technology just like it still confidently races forward with medicine as if Covid never happened.

The thing is, when AI "turns" on mankind (as did medicine), finance and insurance will assuredly follow in sync.

Jeremiah's warnings against idolatry are as relevant today as they were the day he gave them. God's people are currently in the precarious position of Judah in Jeremiah's time. They have brought shame to the name of the LORD by trusting in their idols setting themselves up for no uncertain full-blown captivity to that idolatry (Babylon).

But Babylon's destruction is coming. And, just as Jeremiah's words were pertinent to God's people in his day, so they remain pertinent to God's people today, "Flee from Babylon! - It's annihilation is coming!" Jeremiah's words serve to warn God's people today (who are paying particularly close attention to God's Word) to get rid of their idols!

Soon, it will be communicated, as it was in Jeremiah's day above, that the words proclaimed here are treasonous demoralization against mankind. The legal system will join in with all the world and, sadly, many "Christians" to squelch the timeless message of the Bible against idolatry - the message that finance, insurance, medicine and technology are all indeed powerful, commercialized, and industrialized idols (man-made) that are slated by God for a tremendous "crash and burn."

This is not "new revelation" but rather the same timeless message of the Bible against idolatry! And, in the same timeless message of the Bible against idolatry, we should not be surprised that Jesus' message bought concision to the Bible's timeless message up to His time with these words:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

"Babylon" of our day says, "You must take care of yourself!" This is the clear, unashamed, and advertised commercial message of finance, insurance, medicine and technology - man's "own way" to take care of himself. In contrast, Jesus also said:

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. [Matthew 6.33]

There is no point in calling me a prophet... this is not about what I think or say - it's about what the Bible has been saying all along:

So, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols. [1 Corinthians 10.14] 

Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts. [1 John 5.21] 

1 John 5.21 in the New King James says it like this: Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

Father, as I have merely pointed out what Your Word says, may Your Word accomplish in us everything You intend for it to. May Your Word draw us to undivided faith in You and You ALONE. May our flight from idolatry be our headlong dive into You - into Jesus - as we give up our own way, take up our cross, and follow Him. So be it. 

 

How We Live - Proves What We Believe - Regardless What We Say

The LORD made the earth by his power, and he preserves it by his wisdom. With his own understanding he stretched out the heavens. When he speaks in the thunder, the heavens roar with rain. He causes the clouds to rise over the earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from his storehouses. [Jeremiah 51.15-16] 

When people do not believe the Bible and what it says about God, they likewise do not believe what it says about themselves:

The whole human race is foolish and has no knowledge! The craftsmen are disgraced by the idols they make, for their carefully shaped works are a fraud. These idols have no breath or power. Idols are worthless; they are ridiculous lies! On the day of reckoning they will all be destroyed. [Jeremiah 51.17-18]

When people do not believe what the Bible says about God, they naturally make idols to do for themselves what otherwise they would depend on God to do.

Imagine for a moment what man-made idols look like... Do statues, trinkets, pictures, or dolls come to mind? I think for most people that is exactly what they envision. However, for anyone who actually believes that the Bible has relevance to mankind today, it should be understood that man's idols have kept pace with man himself.

If the Bible is true and relevant today, how can we accept Jeremiah 51.17?

The whole human race is foolish and has no knowledge! The craftsmen are disgraced by the idols they make, for their carefully shaped works are a fraud. [Jeremiah 51.17]

Do not man's wisdom and knowledge - his modern accomplishments - render Jeremiah 51.17 inaccurate and therefore unreliable? Are not man's accomplishments proof positive of his wisdom and knowledge? While we are highly tempted to think so, man's modern accomplishments are in fact his disgrace. For all man's effort invested in the development of his industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology (to name the big ones), when compared to God, that effort is pure futility. 

Man's accomplishments can never do for man what God said He would do for man. How do we know this to be true? Because every accomplishment of man costs man money. And, it keeps costing man money.

When the LORD our Provider provided a ram for Abraham to sacrifice, it cost Abraham nothing.

When the LORD our Protector protected Israel by parting the Red Sea and closing it back upon the army of Egypt, it cost them nothing.

When the LORD our Healer healed numerous people all through the Bible, no money was exchanged.

When the LORD our Banner covered Israel with military success as Moses simply held his rod in the air against the Amalekites, again, no money was exchanged.

And yet, man blindly hands over money for interest payments, insurance premiums, prescription co-payments, and for gadgets and technology that is obsolete by time the money is exchanged for it, and is none the wiser. Man is, in fact, disgraced by this his foolishness and, what's more, a day of reckoning is coming. Is this day of reckoning an event in history, or, is it the day a man dies and stands before God as a foolish disgraced idolater having not trusted God ALONE by giving up his own way, taking up his cross, and following Jesus?

Why should man, whose God is the LORD God of Israel, Who is Creator of everything, have to pay God for anything? Does God need man's money to cover His expenses? Think about it!

But the God of Israel is no idol! He is the Creator of everything that exists, including his people, his own special possession. The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is his name! [Jeremiah 51.19] 

God demands nothing from His people except obedience. Jesus echoed this truth:

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. [Matthew 6.33]

And, 

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

While religious people will argue against everything suggested here with reasonable religious explanations (yeah, but...'s) - some even with elaborate and deeply academic rhetoric, true followers of Christ (the Word of God) will see just how far mankind has plunged into the pit of idolatry today. The remedy is simple but it will not be easy.

"Giving up" our every effort  to "help ourself" is the simple part refusing to continue to pay our idols. "Taking up our cross" facing every obstacle of life trusting God ALONE -fearless even to the point of death, is the hard part - it will not be easy. In fact, most will never do it - they may indeed participate with popular religion finding comfort in their numbers and their reasonable agreement, but they will not take Jesus' words literal... Jesus warned us of this very thing:

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. [Matthew 7.13-14]

For all the prevailing (and even valid) arguments against the institutionalized church today, none are so damning as the fact that the Church (as we know it today in the Western world) is a hotbed for the modern idols of man's making: finance, insurance, medicine and technology. A true believer in Jesus Christ would never immerse himself or herself in such faithlessness except for one reason and one reason only - to decry the idolatry therein. But, who's going to invite that guest speaker? Unironically, a relevant passage is found in today's One Year Chronological Bible reading: 

Likewise, all the leaders of the priests and the people became more and more unfaithful. They followed all the pagan practices of the surrounding nations, desecrating the Temple of the LORD that had been consecrated in Jerusalem. [2 Chronicles 36.14]

Man's idols, even those that "Christians" claim are "gifts from God" are, as Jeremiah stated, a fraud. 

Sadly, "God's people" today trust the "weather man" about the temperature tomorrow with absolutely no regard that God controls the weather to serve His purposes (usually to point out unfaithfulness and sin).

The LORD made the earth by his power, and he preserves it by his wisdom. With his own understanding he stretched out the heavens. When he speaks in the thunder, the heavens roar with rain. He causes the clouds to rise over the earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from his storehouses. [Jeremiah 51.15-16] 

God is either God of everything, or, He is God of nothing. How we live proves beyond doubt what we believe regardless what we say.

Father in heaven, man's increased wisdom and knowledge through the ages has only further advanced his disgrace evident in the idols of his making. May Your true followers set themselves apart for You ALONE, giving up their own way, taking up their cross, and following Jesus. So be it.

Who Is "Calling It" Today?

“The sword of destruction will strike the Babylonians,” says the LORD. “It will strike the people of Babylon—her officials and wise men, too. The sword will strike her wise counselors, and they will become fools. The sword will strike her mightiest warriors, and panic will seize them. The sword will strike her horses and chariots and her allies from other lands, and they will all become like women. The sword will strike her treasures, and they all will be plundered. A drought will strike her water supply, causing it to dry up. And why? Because the whole land is filled with idols, and the people are madly in love with them. [Jeremiah 50.35-38] 

God used a highly idolatrous nation to punish His idolatrous people.

As Israel's story foreshadows our story today, we should understand that a little idolatry makes way for much more and much worse idolatry. And, if Babylon's story foreshadows the "hammer" with which God punishes His wayward people today, we should understand that commerce will be that hammer - and that hammer will be destroyed.

Babylon, the mightiest hammer in all the earth, lies broken and shattered. Babylon is desolate among the nations! [Jeremiah 50.23]

You are a city by a great river, a great center of commerce, but your end has come. The thread of your life is cut. [Jeremiah 51.13]

It is not ironic that man's industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology have ascended to positions of unprecedented commerce in our time today. Along with all the self-gratification they provide, they effectively "beat" the recipients of their benefits, their subjects, with the "hammer" of financial burden: interest payments, premiums, prescriptions, and ever-obsolescent gadgetry. This "hammer" forces their subjects into time-devouring labor in order to keep up the appearance of success. With all the self-focused benefits provided by man's idols of finance, insurance, medicine and technology, man is busier today than at any other time in history.

But what happens when the hammer is broken? Everyone subject to the hammer will be destroyed too.

Flee from Babylon! Save yourselves! Don’t get trapped in her punishment! It is the LORD’s time for vengeance; he will repay her in full. [Jeremiah 51.6]

What happens if man's systems of commerce fail? Particularly in the West, man's idol-industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology all depend on the US Dollar. What happens if all confidence in the US Dollar is lost? Catastrophic collapse is the correct answer. What's more, everyone dependent upon (beholding to) these idols man made for himself will naturally suffer the same catastrophic loss.

If what God's people depend on is not God and God ALONE, they are vulnerable to loss and the suffering attached to it. And, that's just the financial aspect of it... What's worse is that no idolater will ever be at home with God in heaven.

What is said here is no more a "scare tactic" than were Jesus' instructions:

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. [Matthew 6.33]

And, 

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

Both directives Jesus gave are radical by every worldly standard. Worldly "common sense" tells us we have to "do something" regardless what Jesus said. Man's idol-industries fit the description of man's "doing something." And, to sweeten the bitterness of not quite tasting like what Jesus said, man claims his idol-industries are gifts from God. But one only has to watch or read these idol-industries' advertisements depicting their Babylon-like promotions of debauchery and self-centeredness to know that they have nothing to do with God whatsoever!

Jeremiah "called it" in his day. Babylon and its commerce would take Israel captive as punishment for their idolatry. Then, Babylon and its commerce would be destroyed for its idolatry. God will not tolerate idolatry.

Who is "calling it" today?

Father, may Your people distinguish themselves from the world by turning away from their idols and running to You. What a distinction that would make! May Your people literally give up their own way, take up their cross, and follow Jesus. So be it.

The Names And Faces Have Changed...

I will give you back your health and heal your wounds,” says the LORD. [Jeremiah 30.17a] 

Oh, the religious banter this verse gives way to! There is no lack for heated dispute about what this verse implies... In the end, however, it comes down to "context." In this case, the context is the repeated idolatry (disobedience) of God's people, God's retribution, the people's repentance, and God's redemption. It is, in fact, the story of the entire Bible. The names and faces change, but the story is the same.

The "story" is all about God's people and their relationship to Him demanding their undivided obedience to Him - first in the Garden of Eden, and later on Mount Sinai (the Ten Commandments). Again, the names and faces change, but the story is the same.

As the "story" goes, God sent His Son to earth to help. Jesus however demanded no less undivided obedience. Yes, the names and faces changed, but the story did not.

In perfect context with the story of the entire Bible, Jesus gave a concise synopsis of the Ten Commandments but with words so constricting that they leave no possible misunderstanding:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

As the names and faces have continued to change, this is where I come in... I want to be a follower of Jesus! I want to please God. But, wanting is not enough - Bible history proves it never has been...

As the Ten Commandments pointed out, and as Jesus summarized, anyone who would please God must refrain from his own selfish disobedience and instead live God's way. Jesus echoed this demand with the words, "give up your own way." 

Man's idolatry is much greater than just trinkets and statues, or images and objects found in nature. Man's idolatry starts in his heart - it starts with what man wants for himself - what his definition of "living" is. It is, in fact, his own way. It is a way that must die in order to fully obey God. It is, in fact, what take up your cross is all about. Jesus demonstrated it. His "living" demonstrated the miraculous power of God over natural physical circumstances. His "dying" demonstrated the power of God over eternal time and space - without regard for temporal life on earth. Jesus lived and died in what immovable, undivided faith in God ALONE looks like - like redemption, restoration - resurrection. Jesus showed us everything idolatry against God is not.

So, why does man still experience the need for health and healing as promised in Jeremiah 30.17? This very question reveals gross ignorance of the story of the entire Bible. However, in modern times where idolatry is the overwhelming norm and not the exception, the question posed here is the platform for all manner of religious obtuseness. The obvious answer to the question is, idolatry however, to give that answer implies that widespread and unchecked worship of idols remains the overriding condition of man - the names and faces have changed, but the story is the same. Of course the godless world cannot see this truth, but for God's would-be people to miss it can only mean one thing: they are, like the world, grossly ignorant of the story of the entire Bible!

Jesus did not make idolatry go away. He clarified that His followers must give up their own way which is the very root of idolatry. The names and faces have changed, but the story of the entire Bible has not.

Father, I can ask You to help us see... but Your help is already in view in Your Word - Jesus. Our problem then is not our sight, but our will. May we see the truth of the entire Bible - giving up our own way, taking up our cross, and following Jesus. So be it.

Cheap Grace IS False Prophecy

They keep saying to those who despise my word, ‘Don’t worry! The LORD says you will have peace!’ And to those who stubbornly follow their own desires, they say, ‘No harm will come your way!’ [Jeremiah 23.17] 

The message that false prophets preached, identified by Jeremiah above, is the same message false prophets are preaching today ...calling it "Grace." But, it's cheap grace.

The wildly popular version of "Grace" that false prophets preach today makes Jesus Christ a replacement for the Ten Commandments instead of a replacement for the sacrifice of animals. The blood Jesus shed did not break the Covenant of God's Word, but fulfilled it! Jesus' blood, once and for all, replaced the blood of animal sacrifices required to make man right with God as eternally required for breaking the Ten Commandments! The Ten Commandments did not go away, but the repeated sacrifices for breaking them did for those who trust in Christ as the only way to God and His every blessing. For Christ's blood to accomplish anything short of making man right with God measured by the standard of the Ten Commandments is a gross misrepresentation of both God and His Son. Cheap grace despises God's Word.

False prophets who spout "cheap grace" today are the same false prophets who refuse to acknowledge the gross idolatry that is more prevalent in mankind today than ever before. The looser the "grace," the more idolatry is tolerated - the more man-made solutions (idols) promising peace and safety are accepted by "God's people." Any message that relieves man of the responsibility to trust God ALONE in the Way He demands it, faith in Jesus Christ, despises God's Word.

Here are some things that are always associated with idols: promises of peace, "self" pursuit, and promises of protection. Every promise made by idols, effectively negating every promise of God, despises God's Word. 

The cheap grace that false prophets preach most often skips repentance. Every sin of man can be traced to pride (the number one thing God hates). Pride is choosing idols over God (specifically, the arrogance of man to think there even is a choice). Failure to repent of sin, rooted in pride (the incubator of idolatry), despises God's Word.

There is no distinction today between the "Church" and the rest of the world. Even though the Bible records God's ancient people repeatedly asking, "Why do we suffer curses and difficulties?" to which God ALWAYS replied, "Because of your idolatry!" the "Church" today ignorantly attributes curses and difficulties instead to randomness. Failing to acknowledge that God controls EVERYTHING despises God's Word. 

If God's Word can be despised, should not true followers of God pay extra attention to avoid that scenario? Yes, they should!

Unfortunately, man is incapable of not despising God's Word. Since the sin of Adam, this was true of all mankind and will continue as long as the earth exists. Man still must obey the Ten Commandments to have peace and protection (avoid harm). The singular act of repentance-and-faith in Jesus Christ, and absolutely no other source/remedy/idol, is the Way to accomplish that. To seek peace and protection from anything or anyone other than God THROUGH Jesus Christ is the message of idolatry preached by false prophets. "Grace" that allows idolatry (and the sin it leads to) is indeed false prophecy no matter how loudly the false prophet proclaims, "Don’t worry! The LORD says you will have peace!" and, "No harm will come your way!" 

In the midst of turmoil and devastation (the curses described in Deuteronomy 28.15-68), the true prophet of God says, "Repent and believe God's Word." To be sure, idolatry with all its pride and sin is what must be repented of - it was in Bible times, and, it is now - and Jesus Christ (God's Word) is Whom we must believe in.

Father, as difficult as these words are today, they reveal a problem no one is talking about: idolatry. This idolatry is what has brought all manner of curses upon Your people while false prophets keep preaching "Don’t worry! The LORD says you will have peace!" and, "No harm will come your way!"  May our eyes and ears be opened to the Truth that is Your Word. May our eyes and ears be opened to the Truth that is Jesus Who demanded that we give up our own way, take up our cross, and follow Him. So be it.

God Knows Our Heart? But Do We?

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” [Jeremiah 17.9-10] 

I have come to believe that man's industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology are the leading idols of our day. In the last few years I have provided thorough, context-accurate, Scriptural arguments to support this belief but people still refuse to see it. I have spoken to more than one person about this subject of idolatry obvious throughout the Bible and, have met with varying degrees of negative response - from reluctant concession to bold disagreement. I had one "Christian" man seemingly agree with the implications that the human industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology were, in principle, idols, but flatly stated he was unwilling to risk living without them. On the other hand, I have had other "Christians" somewhat agree with the implications against these man-made industries while helplessly defending their unwillingness to reject them by saying, "God knows my heart..."

The fact is, God indeed knows our hearts! And, what He knows about them, we should know about them too - that they are the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked.

While many sermons and teachings have found their basis in Jeremiah 17.9-10, few have explored the full context in which this passage is found. Unironically, that context is idolatry. One only has to skim over what precedes Jeremiah 17.9-10 to see this truth.

This is what the LORD says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the LORD. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land. “But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. [Jeremiah 17.5-8]

What are the man-made industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology if indeed they are not bold displays of human strength? It is only natural that non-Christians vehemently defend these idols. But why then, do "Christians" so defend them?

Compared to non-Christians, "Christians" today are indeed the stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future that God spoke of above. They are cursed and powerless - a vivid and accurate description of most of the Church today (and, especially so in western civilization). No one is even questioning why the modern western Church carries virtually none of the distinguishing, indisputable power of God that Jesus both demonstrated and commanded of His true followers. It is no wonder the world sees western "Christianity" as laughable.

Okay, so enough about the problem, what is the solution? 

The solution is found in verses 7-8 of Jeremiah 17 above:

“But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. [Jeremiah 17.7-8]

God however jealously demands a literal observance of trusting in Him. He was not at all abstract when He laid out for all eternity what trusting in Him - trusting in Him ALONE - looks like:

“I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. “You must not have any other god but me. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. [Exodus 20.2-7]

We are left with no option but to reject and turn away from our idols - the world-trusted idol-industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology. But all we can think about is how devastated such a radical act would leave us, giving no consideration whatsoever of God's abundant promises for provision if only we trust Him...

Keeping with the context of Jeremiah 17, verse 11 continues:

Like a partridge that hatches eggs she has not laid, so are those who get their wealth by unjust means. At midlife they will lose their riches; in the end, they will become poor old fools. [Jeremiah 17.11]

The unjust means above are the means and ways of idolatry! The Bible teaches that idolaters are ultimately the losers!

For those who seem to think the New Testament puts "believers" on a different page today, let's just quote Jesus, Who talked about man's "way," shall we?

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)] 

Our "own way" is one and the same as the "unjust means" Jeremiah spoke of. Trusting in anything other than, or in addition to, God is highly "unjust" according to Exodus 20.2-7.

Oh, but we are far from done with this subject!

Just as Jesus was introduced above as relevant to this conversation, guess what Jeremiah finishes chapter 17 with! God has something to say about the Sabbath in the Jeremiah 17 context of idolatry!

This is what the LORD said to me: “Go and stand in the gates of Jerusalem, first in the gate where the king goes in and out, and then in each of the other gates. Say to all the people, ‘Listen to this message from the LORD, you kings of Judah and all you people of Judah and everyone living in Jerusalem. This is what the LORD says: Listen to my warning! Stop carrying on your trade at Jerusalem’s gates on the Sabbath day. Do not do your work on the Sabbath, but make it a holy day. I gave this command to your ancestors, but they did not listen or obey. They stubbornly refused to pay attention or accept my discipline. “‘But if you obey me, says the LORD, and do not carry on your trade at the gates or work on the Sabbath day, and if you keep it holy, then kings and their officials will go in and out of these gates forever. There will always be a descendant of David sitting on the throne here in Jerusalem. Kings and their officials will always ride in and out among the people of Judah in chariots and on horses, and this city will remain forever. And from all around Jerusalem, from the towns of Judah and Benjamin, from the western foothills and the hill country and the Negev, the people will come with their burnt offerings and sacrifices. They will bring their grain offerings, frankincense, and thanksgiving offerings to the LORD’s Temple. “‘But if you do not listen to me and refuse to keep the Sabbath holy, and if on the Sabbath day you bring loads of merchandise through the gates of Jerusalem just as on other days, then I will set fire to these gates. The fire will spread to the palaces, and no one will be able to put out the roaring flames.’” [Jeremiah 17.19-27]

Why did God bring up the Sabbath in this context of idolatry? For the same reason He brought up the Sabbath in the Ten Commandments right after the context of idolatry:

“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. [Exodus 20.8-11]

Jesus, Who said, "...give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me," IS THE SABBATH!

So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality. [Colossians 2.16-17 bold added]

The Sabbath is the shadow of Jesus Christ! AND SO: the Ten Commandments point us to Jesus (the Sabbath) following the discussion of idolatry AND Jeremiah 17 points us to Jesus (the Sabbath) following the discussion of idolatry!

NOW! It can be perfectly understood, as we are effectively pointed to Jesus, why Jesus said "...give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me," He was very aware of just how infused idolatry would forever be in mankind and how devastating it would be to reject it - just like a death-wish - like giving up every self-preservation effort (man's way) and taking up a cross to follow Him! And, what did Jesus do? He walked out of His tomb in the same resurrection power He bestows on all who truly believe (trust in) Him! Oh, wow! Oh, wow! Oh, wow!

BUT! Man's deceitful heart will forever suggest otherwise... Will we believe our deceitful heart or will we believe God's Word about idolatry and Jesus Christ Who leads us out of idolatry?

Father, may these words strike a chord in all who read them as they are ringing true to me. May we find the courage to give up our own way (our idols), take up our cross (fearlessly pursuing resurrection life), and follow Jesus! So be it.

A Little Smack In The Face

And if these nations truly learn the ways of my people, and if they learn to swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the LORD lives’ (just as they taught my people to swear by the name of Baal), then they will be given a place among my people. But any nation who refuses to obey me will be uprooted and destroyed. I, the LORD, have spoken!” [Jeremiah 12.16-17]

What does it mean to swear by the name of the LORD?

Our clue is found in the statement in parenthesis in Jeremiah 12.16-17 above. Swearing by the name of the LORD is the antithesis of swearing by the name of Baal, an idol. This would apply to any idol. With this in mind then, and because we know from the Word of God that swearing by the name of Baal means to trust in Baal instead of God, we can be sure that to swear by the name of the LORD means to trust in God ALONE.

Swearing however denotes a deeper meaning of the word "trust" than most people today comprehend. Swearing by the name of the LORD is a declaration of everything God is and wills over any given circumstance. It carries the distinguishing idea that God ALONE will be trusted irrespective of the circumstances of the one doing the trusting.

To swear by the name of the LORD is to give unreserved and undiluted allegiance to the first three of the Ten Commandments (in particular):

“I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. “You must not have any other god but me. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. [Exodus 20.2-7]

To swear by the name of Baal, in contrast, is to disregard everything the first three Commandments say about God. For this reason, trusting a little in God and a little in Baal is simply not possible. In this very regard, Jesus' words herald crystal clear principle on the topic of singular trust:

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money. [Matthew 6.24] 

Swearing by the name of the LORD carries with it a commitment beyond convenience - even a commitment unto death. Nowhere is this more profoundly declared than in Jesus' words to His would-be followers:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)] 

In today's One Year Chronological Bible reading we find a damning description of those who claim to be committed to God, but are not:

Your name is on their lips, but you are far from their hearts. [Jeremiah 12.2b]

This is indeed the condition of idol-laden "believers" today. 

To swear by the name of the LORD is an all-in commitment to God and God ALONE. This level of commitment allows not even the chance of misunderstanding one's true devotion... And, this is where modern "believers" who claim that God uses man's industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology get smacked right in the face! To be sure, modern "believers" simply cannot defend or justify their idolatry when looking at all the Scriptures noted heretofore together. God's Word clearly calls His people to undivided trust in Him ALONE - anything else is idolatry (remember, God is a jealous God).

Father, as Your Word reveals, the subject of "our trust" is a serious matter to You. Help us to stop justifying our idolatry and instead start methodically rejecting it. May we be found giving up our own way, taking up our cross, and following Jesus. So be it.