Highlights:

God's call to Israel; Jeremiah's lamentations for Judah; spiritual and civil corruption; destruction of Judah.

But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart . . . The prophets prophesy falsely . . . and My people love to have it so (Jer. 5:23,31).

The small kingdom of Judah faithfully worshiped God at the Temple in Jerusalem for many years; but eventually, like Israel, the people turned to idolatry. In today's society, it seems we want a god that we can see, feel, and touch, even though the real God has proven Himself over and over.

King Josiah and some of the people did that which was right in the sight of the Lord (II Kin. 22:1-2). But most of the nation disregarded God's Word, and the Babylonian armies soon destroyed them. There is no way a nation, church, family, or even individual can survive if they disregard the Word of God. The Word is our Guide Book and road map giving instructions for the life of a follower of Christ. If we want to live in a way that shows forth Jesus Christ through our lives, we must have a daily relationship with the Word of God. Without the Word of God in our lives, we become easy prey to our enemies, our flesh, the world, and the devil. For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12).

In Jeremiah's last message of hope to the nation of Judah, he said there was only one way of escape: O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved (Jer. 4:14). But they ignored his message.

Many Christians today have gone for days, and even weeks, neglecting their fellowship with God. His message of rebuke is that My people have forgotten Me days without number (2:32). They do not pray. They turn their backs on the Word of God. They stop attending church. They go through their daily lives none the wiser. Sometimes, they have no sense of how long it has been since their thoughts turned to the things of God. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins (II Pet. 1:9). But there is a way back. The Lord said: Turn, O backsliding children (Jer. 3:14).

The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, Let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from iniquity (II Tim. 2:19).

Thought for Today:

God forgives those who confess and forsake their sins.

Christ Portrayed:

By Jeremiah, whom God commissioned to reveal His Truth (Jer. 4:2). Jesus shall one day judge all mankind with His Truth (Ps. 96:13; John 5:22). Jesus said: To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the Truth. Every one that is of the Truth heareth My voice (John 18:37).

Word Studies:

4:6 retire, stay not, go in haste to take refuge, don't delay; 4:22 sottish, devoid of spiritual understanding; 5:10 battlements, branches; 5:13 wind, full of words, but speaking nothing from God; 5:30 wonderful, monstrous, shocking; 6:30 reprobate silver, rejected, despised, trash.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for Bible Pathway Printer: Ambrose Printing Staff, Nashville, TN • Government Officials: Rep. Maxine Waters (CA), Rep. Judy Biggert (IL), Rep. Tom Marino (PA), Del. Eni F. H. Faleomavaega (American Samoa), and Assoc. Justice Stephen G. Breyer (US Supreme Court) • Country: Romania (22.5 million) in southeastern Europe • Major languages: Rumanian and Hungarian • Freedom of worship • 69.5% Romanian Orthodox Church; 14% non-Religious/Other; 8% Protestant; 7% Catholic; 1% Muslim; .1% Jewish; .4% Marginal • Prayer Suggestion: Call upon the Lord and He will save you (Ps. 55:16).

Optional Reading: 1 Peter 5

Memory Verse for the Week: Isaiah 55:11