Destruction Pronounced
TEXT: Jeremiah 32:26-35
“Therefore thus saith the Lord, behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and he shall take it” (Jeremiah 32:28).
Or despiseth thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance. But after thy hardness and impertinent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” (Romans 2: 4, 5). This passage aptly summarises the nation of Israel’s perennial cycle of sin against God, His word and commandment. It is also true of the rest of the world today taking God for granted.
The children of Israel were freed from Egyptian captivity and slavery by the mighty hand of God. The gods of Egypt could not stop the God of heaven and earth. The commandment to them (and to us today) among other commandments was clear. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me…” (Exodus 20:3-5). But they set aside this commandment and upon their roofs ‘they have offered incense unto Baal, and poured out drink offerings unto other gods to provoke me to anger’ (verse 29). Provoking God to anger through idol worship was the height of their disobedience and rebellion. A just recompense awaited them –the righteous judgment of God.
As it was with the children of Israel so it is with many people today. “They have changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man and to birds and four footed beasts and creeping things” (Rom. 1:23) Idolatry begins when we change the truth about God into a lie, worship and serve the creature more than the Creator. The result? The righteous judgment of God, woe, doom, and misery!
We can escape this unpleasant experience and needless pain today by examining ourselves. Let us return unto Him when the evil days have not yet come together with the avoidable pain and anguish.
Whatever diminishes our love for God is an idol.