As Much A Problem Today As Ever

“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”? No! All are running down the path of sin as swiftly as a horse galloping into battle! Even the stork that flies across the sky knows the time of her migration, as do the turtledove, the swallow, and the crane. They all return at the proper time each year. But not my people! They do not know the LORD’s laws. [Jeremiah 8.4-7]

On this day in 2022, I wrote the article A Word Of Truth. It is a good read and addresses the subject of people denying the obvious when it comes to curses signifying the presence of sin. But it is missing something...

In light however of my growing understanding of the Bible over the years, it is prudent to see that further understanding of the sin that brings curses should be discussed. All of the bad stuff prophesied in today's One Year Chronological Bible reading is the result of the sin of idolatry. 

"They do not know the LORD’s laws" at the end of the passage above cannot be far separated from the Ten Commandments. And what do the Ten Commandments say? They start off with God demanding singular worship of Him, forbidding idols, and preserving the holiness of His name. 

If we can see it, the Ten Commandments give us a clue of the digression of the sin of turning away from God (breaking the First Commandment), that leads to turning to idols (Second Commandment), that leads to the misuse of God's name (Third Commandment), and then leads to the refusal to rest as prescribed (Fourth Commandment). As the digression continues, then the offenses shift manward - in other words, the sin of turning away from God eventually leads man down the path of sinning against man. What starts as turning away from God eventually leads to the raw selfishness of wanting what someone else has just to get it from them (covetousness - the Tenth Commandment). And, it all starts with turning away from God and turning to idols.

With this established then, shouldn't we be keenly aware of the role of idolatry in our present circumstances (curses)? Yes, we should! However, Jeremiah's ancient harsh words for the people then are unfortunately the harsh reality of our present condition now.

“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”? No! All are running down the path of sin as swiftly as a horse galloping into battle! Even the stork that flies across the sky knows the time of her migration, as do the turtledove, the swallow, and the crane. They all return at the proper time each year. But not my people! They do not know the LORD’s laws. [Jeremiah 8.4-7]

 Jesus confirmed the digression discussed here.

One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” [Matthew 22.35-40]

And, it is no mistake that Jesus demanded His followers must forsake everything in order to follow Him. 

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, Mark 8.34, Luke 9.23]

"Loving God" covers the first four Commandments and "loving man" covers the last six. If we don't "love God" there is no way we can love man. We must see though that it all starts with staying focused on God ALONE and not turning to idols - the violation of which Jeremiah traces all the bad stuff in today's OYCB reading to.

As long as God's Word and man exist on earth, idolatry will be found nearby waiting to violate them. Should we think it ironic that God knew this from the beginning? Then we should pay attention and understand that idolatry is just as much a problem today as ever before - even infinitely worse!

Father, Your Word is not unclear that idolatry is just as responsible for our present troubles as it was in ancient Biblical times. Help us to accurately and methodically identify these idols and rid ourselves of them! Help us turn away from our idols and look only to Jesus. So be it.