Days of Jeremiah

In the book of Jeremiah, the beginning chapters describe and explains why Israel was taken into captivity. Israel had played the harlot. They were backsliding. God said to them even though you have played the harlot, just return to Me and I will receive you. But they still continued into idolatry. This is the reason why God sent them into captivity.

Jeremiah 3:6,7 “Moreover, the Lord said to me [Jeremiah] in the days of Josiah the king [of Judah], Have you seen what that faithless and backsliding Israel has done—how she went up on every high hill and under every green tree and there played the harlot?7 And I said, After she has done all these things, she will return to Me; but she did not return, and her faithless and treacherous sister Judah saw it. 8 And I saw, even though [Judah knew] that for this very cause of committing adultery (idolatry) I [the Lord] had put faithless Israel away and given her a bill of divorce; yet her faithless and treacherous sister Judah was not afraid, but she also went and played the harlot [following after idols]. 10 But in spite of all this, her faithless and treacherous sister Judah did not return to Me in sincerity and with her whole heart, but only in sheer hypocrisy [has she feigned obedience to King Josiah’s reforms], says the Lord.11 And the Lord said to me, Backsliding and faithless Israel has shown herself less guilty than false and treacherous Judah.

The Lord said that Judah was more guilty than Israel. The reason is because in the days of King Josiah, the priest named Hilkiah found the Law of Moses. The Southern Kingdom, Judah had found the Word of God. So now, Judah had the Word of God. They had the instructions of God. Israel (the northern tribes) didn’t have the same opportunity as Judah (Southern tribes) had. Judah saw Israel was taken into the captives as a result of idolatry and backsliding but Judah refused to profit by it. Judah had found the Word of God but refused to listen to it. Do we have the wisdom to know this all sounds too familiar?

Americans have witnessed many judgments occurring around the world as a result of idol worshiping in many different countries. The American people are in possession of so many bibles and in many different versions. Yet, most of the Christians in America refuse to read and follow the Word of God. They just plainly refuse to read the bible. For this very reason, the judgment of Judah was greater than Israel. Americans have been given so much grace by God, it is amazing how much grace we are receiving.

Let us not become like Judah had become in the days of Jeremiah. Let us learn from history. Judah had witnessed the judgment of Israel and had received the Word of God but yet, refused to profit by it. A greater judgment is coming to America and the western church if she does not stop from backsliding and worshiping idols. We Christians must wake up and do our part. Let us fast and pray. Let us pray that this country repents and returns to her First Love. Otherwise, a great judgment is in the horizon as dark and difficult days are approaching.

Fire of God Ministries
Yoojin Kim
August 13, 2012