Day 213, August 1 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Jeremiah 14–15; 11:9–12:6;
Jeremiah 16–17When We Shouldn’t Help
This sounds like an odd title, doesn’t it? After all, Christians are supposed to help all people, aren’t they? Most of the time that is true; people will know we are Christians by our love. But should we help those who are wicked? Should we sympathize with them when they turn their backs on God and spurn him? Should we then mourn with them when they mourn or rejoice when they rejoice? When we help those who are wicked, we may send the wrong message that what they are doing is in some way acceptable, when it is not.
Soon upon the death of King Josiah, his royal descendents and the rest of the people returned to their wickedness and idol worship in ways that exceeded even their forefathers. The prophet Jeremiah served as a symbol of God’s judgment upon the nation of Judah. Therefore, they hated him. They kept a close eye on him, and even plotted to kill him. In today’s Bible reading, God restricts Jeremiah from doing anything for the people.
In accordance with Gods’ covenant of blessings and curses (Deuteronomy 28:22-25), and perhaps as a payback for putting Jeremiah in stocks and trying to kill him, God sends the nation famine and drought. Amazingly, although the leaders and the people acknowledge their sins, they do not turn from them. However, they still call on the LORD to save them. They are beyond hope.
God instructs Jeremiah to stop praying for them, for they will not repent. “Then the LORD said to me, ‘Even though Moses and Samuel were to stand before me, my heart would not be with this people; send them away from my presence and let them go!’” (Jeremiah 15:1, NIV). God is particularly offended by the gross sins instituted by King Manasseh (2Chronicles 33:1-10). When good King Josiah died, Judah returned to idolatry and wickedness.
“You have rejected me,” declares the LORD. “You keep on backsliding. So I will lay hands on you and destroy you; I can no longer show compassion” (Jeremiah 15:6, NIV)
Jeremiah is also influenced by Judah; he falls into sin and suffers for it (Jeremiah 15:15-21). We are not told exactly what Jeremiah did, but from this verse we get a clue. When he cries out for deliverance, God answers,
“If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them” (Jeremiah 15:19, NIV)
We must be careful when ministering to others that we do not get caught up in their sins as well. Perhaps, for his protection, he softened his words so they would be less judgmental, or perhaps his words became boastful and self-righteous. We must humbly but boldly speak the Word of God. The answer for Jeremiah and for Judah is the same—repent, and I will restore you.
After Jeremiah is restored, once again his life experiences serve as signs and symbols to Judah. Jeremiah is told not to marry and have children in Jerusalem. When the people ask him about it, he tells them it is a symbol of God’s judgment against their children. They will die from disease, famine, and the sword when Babylon comes to conquer them.
Second, he instructs Jeremiah not to mourn for the people or attend their funerals.
For this is what the LORD says: “Do not enter a house where there is a funeral meal; do not go to mourn or show sympathy, because I have withdrawn my blessing, my love and my pity from this people,” declares the LORD.
“Both high and low will die in this land. They will not be buried or mourned, and no one will cut himself or shave his head for them. No one will offer food to comfort those who mourn for the dead—not even for a father or a mother—nor will anyone give them a drink to console them,” (Jeremiah 16:5-6, NIV)
Third, God tells Jeremiah not to attend any joyous celebrations of the people.
“And do not enter a house where there is feasting and sit down to eat and drink. For this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Before your eyes and in your days I will bring an end to the sounds of joy and gladness and to the voices of bride and bridegroom in this place” (Jeremiah 16:8-9, NIV).
Why does God not want Jeremiah to mourn or rejoice with the people in their times of sorrow or feasting? It is a sign that the LORD is withdrawing from his people; He is going to punish them because of their wickedness. How difficult it is for Jeremiah to not participate and to know judgment is coming. All he can do is watch.
In future days, God will be merciful, but not now. Now the kings and people of Judah will be gathered in a net as Babylon catches them and deports them. The rest will be hunted down and killed. The LORD declares,
“I will repay them double for their wickedness and their sin, because they have defiled my land with the lifeless forms of their vile images and have filled my inheritance with their detestable idols” (Jeremiah 16:18, NIV).
God will have to teach Judah the hard way that he is Sovereign—sin is engraved into her heart; her behavior will not change. Therefore, she will be punished.
This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD…. But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him,” (Jeremiah 17:5,7, NIV).
As one might expect, those who will not help and who will not join in the activities of the wicked are not well-received, and neither is Jeremiah. Therefore, Jeremiah calls out for God’s protection (Jeremiah 15:15-21).
Jeremiah, like many of us, complains about his troubles. When God helps him discover the plot against his life, he questions God’s justice because the wicked are not immediately destroyed.
In answer, God tells him to strengthen himself, for if he is weak at a time of relative peace, how will he survive when times get really tough? (Jeremiah 12:5). Jeremiah’s attitude changes. His confidence is again placed in God (Jeremiah 17:14-18).
Sometimes, like Jeremiah, we must bear our difficult circumstances. If we face threats, we should call out to God and let him be our protection and confidence.
God gives Judah one more chance to show him honor before he destroys them (Jeremiah 17:19-27) . The seventh day of the week, the Sabbath day, is to be a day of rest and remembrance of all that God has done for them. Will they keep it and avert judgment? Unfortunately, no.
Will we honor God and keep one day a week for a Sabbath? It is good to stop and consider all that God has done for us. It is good to remember the mercy and the grace of God. It is good to consider our ways, repent, and then find favor with him.
Take-Away Lessons
- “Love your enemies. and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44, NIV)
- We should not help wicked, hardened people. The Apostle Paul says, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them,” (Ephesians 5:11, NIV).
- Let us not get caught in sins of self-righteousness. Let us humbly serve God.
- We can expect backlash for not aiding evil, unrepentant people, but if we put our confidence in God, he will help or protect us.
- God wants us to keep a Sabbath to the LORD to rest and remember his good works in our life.
Focus Verse
Jeremiah 17:10 (NIV) “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.”
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A Look Ahead: Why Does God Allow Evil?
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