Some Things Are Just Obvious

“Jeremiah, say to the people, ‘This is what the LORD says: “‘When people fall down, don’t they get up again? When they discover they’re on the wrong road, don’t they turn back? Then why do these people stay on their self-destructive path? Why do the people of Jerusalem refuse to turn back? They cling tightly to their lies and will not turn around. I listen to their conversations and don’t hear a word of truth. Is anyone sorry for doing wrong? Does anyone say, “What a terrible thing I have done”? [Jeremiah 8.4-6]

Some things are just obvious.

When we fall down, we are on the ground, right? Being "on the ground" then, is a good indicator that we have fallen.

If we do not reach our desired destination, it is a good indication that we have taken the wrong path. It is logical to conclude that our presence in the wrong place indicates a wrong turn somewhere.

The LORD is saying that people need not get all religious about it, but simply draw conclusions from the obvious evidence.

But people DO get all religious about it. Even though God clearly and emphatically detailed the curses proclaimed upon sin in Deuteronomy 28, people still question "why?" when  they experience those curses. Worse yet, wickedly deceptive people (most of the time disguised as religious leaders and 'experts') make God's Word of no consequence by negating the meaning of curses - even at times attempting to convince their followers that curses are actually blessings.

The sad 'bottom line' of the paragraph above is that people are therefore not instructed to repent but instead encouraged to 'hang on' or even consider themselves fortunate to be deemed worthy of such a curse.

When we fall down - experience curses - there is only one recourse prescribed by God: REPENT (get up).

When we discover we are on the wrong road - experience curses - there is only one solution prescribed by God: REPENT (turn around).

Instead people are highly inclined to "cling tightly to their lies," ignore the truth, not be sorry and therefore not repent.

We need to repent.

Father, forgive me for believing so many lies for so long. Forgive me for denying the obvious implications of curses on my life. Forgive me for being stiff-necked and unrepentant.