Jeremiah 5 reminds me of the oath of a witness in court. They swear to “tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth”. There are many ways of deception and one is omitting the part that makes you look bad. Sometimes that can be done to spare feelings, but most often it is done for our own convenience. With the proliferation of cameras, criminal activity is now frequently captured, exposing lies. So much of our activity and history is captured; from computer key strokes, to text messages; many secrets are no longer secret. In today’s chapter, Jeremiah exposes each of us. Perhaps this is a challenge from God, “Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search… find one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth“. If you can, “I will forgive this city“. Jeremiah asks a question that might give us insight, “Lord, do not Your eyes look for truth?” Did you think God was looking for people to punish? Sadly, sinners are not hard to find. 2 Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him“. Does God overlook our dumb behavior? No, but He does patiently wait. Like any good parent, God corrects us through consequences and results. “You struck them, but they felt no pain… but they refused correction… and refused to repent.” He gives us instruction, but always allows us free will.
Jeremiah finds no one righteous and concludes, “These are only the poor; they are foolish… I will go to the leaders… surely they know the way of the Lord“. He concludes, “their rebellion is great and their backslidings many“. God asks a question that many cannot answer, “Why should I forgive you?” Our response is to look around to point out a bigger sinner, “I’ve never murdered”. He calls us “well-fed, lusty stallions“. Again God asks a difficult question, “Should I not avenge Myselfon such a nation as this?” Jeremiah is instructed, “Go through her vineyards and ravage them, but do not destroy them completely. Strip off her branches“. Why? “They have lied about the Lord“; saying, “He will do nothing!” Israel misrepresented God. Do your actions betray your words?
For the rest of the chapter, God gives Jeremiah the task of instruction, “I will make My words in your mouth a fire and these people the wood it consumes“. He speaks to Israel, but they may ring true to us today. “I am bringing a distant nation against you an ancient and enduring nation… they will destroy the fortified cities in which you trust“. Friend, in what do you trust? People ask, “Why has the Lord… done all this to us?” Please listen to the answer, “you have forsaken Me“. People say, “I’m cool with the Big Guy”, but what does God say? “Hear this, you foolish and senseless people… Should you not fear Me? Should you not tremble in My presence?” Some have a reverence for God, some a token reminder of God, but do you fear God? He says we have “stubborn and rebellious hearts; they have turned aside and gone away… your sins have deprived you of good“. Does this describe us, “they have become rich and powerfuland have grown fat and sleek… they do not seek justice“? Instead, “A horrible and shocking thing has happened… The prophets prophesy lies… and My people love it this way“. Who are today’s prophets? Maybe they justify your lies with partial truth? Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). The chapter concludes, “But what will you do in the end?“