2001-02-03 - Messiah: His Final Call to Israel

Messiah: His Final Call to Israel Series, Part 19

In a few days, Israel will proceed with an election process. Most people (if only briefly) have seen the news about these peace talks. The "Final Call" series is about peace talks, too. We believe peace is a definite fact that will come to pass -- BUT-- only according to the details that the Holy Bible describes will happen to bring it about. Although we know that God's Word is the best source of understanding about Middle Eastern peace, unfortunately there is not a lot written about the "real peace process" as described in the Bible. So we decided to bring you the Final Call Series, which is simply all about just what will bring God's peace to Israel. Over the past few months, we have written 19 devotionals on the subject. Over the next couple of months, we would like to bring you a picture of the Nation of Israel as seen through the eyes of Jeremiah in Chapter 3 of his book. We hope it will be an eye opener and add further bits and pieces of truth to the overall theme of the Final Call Series for you.

Jeremiah Chapter 3 is a single oracle, a literary unit. Like a gentle flowing brook, the major theme of this oracle quietly, but steadily, flows onward to the end. The chapter falls into the following divisions:

• 3:1-5 The corruption of the people and their punishment
• 3:6-10 Judah more corrupt than Israel
• 3:11-13 First invitation for Israel to return to God
• 3:14-15 Second invitation for Israel to return to God
• 3:16-17 A vision of Jerusalem the Golden
• 3:18 Israel restored to the land of the fathers
• 3:19-25 Israel on the march back to God

In this devotional let us examine the first five verses of Scripture in this passage.

Jeremiah 3:1-5 "They say, 'if a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, will he return unto her again? Will not that land be greatly polluted?' But thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me," saith Jehovah. Lift up thine eyes unto the bare heights, and see; where hast thou not been lain with? By the ways hast thou sat for them, as an Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness. Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; yet thou hast a harlot's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed. Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, "My Father, thou art the guide of my youth?" Will he retain his anger forever? Will he keep it to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and hast done evil things, and hast had thy way.

Jeremiah begins his oracle by asking the following question, which was a common saying among the people: "They say, 'if a man put away his wife, and she go from him and become another man's will he return unto her again?'" The answer expected is "No, he will not." Matrimony is holy in the sight of God. Men and women must not tamper with it (see Mathew 19:3-12). Marital separation and remarriage very frequently open the doors for various evils. The inspired Prophet gives the divine answer to the question by asking another one: "Will not that land be greatly polluted?" "Yes it will," affirms Jeremiah.

Like those who lightheartedly and, one might say, flippantly deal with the marriage relationship, Israel had dealt lightheartedly with her spiritual marital relationship, with Jehovah. "But thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me," saith Jehovah. A perusal of the history of Israel from the Exodus out of Egypt to Jeremiah's day corroborates the indictment of the nation relative to spiritual adultery. In order to prove this point, the Prophet lifts his eyes and calls attention to the high places throughout the land where the people had engaged in spiritual adultery--worshipping foreign gods (vs. 2).

Because of this unfaithfulness to God, the Lord had withholden the showers and the latter rain (vs. 3). Then the Prophet urges the people from that time onward to cry to the Lord, saying, "My Father, thou art the guide of my youth? Will He retain His anger forever? Will he keep it to the end?" God had been the guide of the people Israel from their youth. He will not keep His anger forever.

Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever man soweths, that shall he also reap.

Certainly one will reap what one sows. The inspired Apostle Paul clearly teaches us this truth. Yet many times people choose to be unaware of the consequences of their actions. On the other hand, an informed person that wishes to know the truth and act accordingly will desire to recognize and face facts and change, if need be. In the case of "real peace" in Israel, the Bible clearly teaches that the truth will rise, the facts will be faced, and the changes will happen. Please pray for the peace of Jerusalem to unfold and may God bless you for your prayers. Please share this series with your friends and your Pastor. Until next week keep looking up.

In His Service,
Rick & Sandy

 liv4yeshua@cfdevotionals.org
http://www.cfdevotionals.org