“You say, ‘That’s not true! I haven’t worshiped the images of Baal!’ But how can you say that? Go and look in any valley in the land! Face the awful sins you have done. You are like a restless female camel desperately searching for a mate. You are like a wild donkey, sniffing the wind at mating time. Who can restrain her lust? Those who desire her don’t need to search, for she goes running to them! When will you stop running? When will you stop panting after other gods? But you say, ‘Save your breath. I’m in love with these foreign gods, and I can’t stop loving them now!’ [Jeremiah 2.23-25]
All of today's OYCB reading addresses Israel's (and Judah's) unfaithfulness to God.
What follows the passage above in today's reading is a description of calamity and suffering all due to God's people comingling idolatry in their worship of Him. All the while the people were in denial of their idolatry!
Jeremiah speaks of the troubles and scolds Israel for not understanding the connection of their troubles to their idolatry.
As I write this, the world and my own nation are in deep turmoil. Political and social unrest seem to be at all-time highs. Nasty crimes and unregenerate actions fill the news. People are beginning to live more like animals following their every carnal desire like a wild donkey, sniffing the wind at mating time and it is ALL BECAUSE OF THEIR POLYGAMOUS FAITH IN GOD ALONG WITH EVERY IMAGINALBE IDOL!
Jeremiah used some graphic references.
That’s why even the spring rains have failed. For you are a brazen prostitute and completely shameless. Yet you say to me, ‘Father, you have been my guide since my youth. Surely you won’t be angry forever! Surely you can forget about it!’ So you talk, but you keep on doing all the evil you can.” [Jeremiah 3.3-5]
“My wayward children,” says the LORD, “come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.” “Yes, we’re coming,” the people reply, “for you are the LORD our God. Our worship of idols on the hills and our religious orgies on the mountains are a delusion. Only in the LORD our God will Israel ever find salvation. [Jeremiah 3.22-23]
Note in the passage above the use of the phrase religious orgies. Perhaps this refers to actual sexual sin, but it definitely speaks of multiplicity in idol worship.
All the while in today's reading, Jeremiah attests to chaos and disasters being the end result of Israel's idolatry. Then look at what Jeremiah said:
“My people are foolish and do not know me,” says the LORD. “They are stupid children who have no understanding. They are clever enough at doing wrong, but they have no idea how to do right!” [Jeremiah 4.22]
Wow. WE are experiencing chaos today with only the promise of more approaching. Will we "wise up" as to why?
I am convinced our rapid social decline is directly resultant to gross idolatrous ways that we have become so accustomed to, that we don't even have a clue of their existence. And, I am furthermore convinced that every science and system of man that we trust in for that which God said, "Trust in Me alone," is to blame.
And I am the one called "fool" for pointing it out.
Father, I don't expect a mass revelation among religious people today of the idolatry we practice daily in complete ignorance. However, may I be found a faithful voice calling all to repentance followed by undivided faith in You alone!
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