“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.
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