Jeremiah 13, 14, 15
Today's reading in Jeremiah is the first of several symbolic actions that were a regular part of Jeremiah's prophetic proclamation. The basic form is simple. The prophet receives a command from God to carry out some deed. The narrative reports the action taken. Then there is an interpretive explanation. The symbolic is always very dramatic and poignant. In chapter thirteen the point is the idea that God will "ruin the pride of Judah and Jerusalem" just as the loincloth has been ruined. The second image is of drunkenness which gives the connotation of a loss of control. Elsewhere in Jeremiah the cup of wine is used to express the notion of drinking from the cup of God's wrath. Judgement is in the hands of the Lord. But there is more than judgement, there is deep disappointment. God is genuinely disappointed in the lack of faithfulness of his people.
I wonder what God would say to us today? What symbolic acts might convict the hearts of God's people now?
This symbolic act is followed by descriptions of Judah's plight: drought, battle and siege. Sword, famine and pestilence will devastate the people. This will be their judgement. Their laments will not be heard. Their sacrifices refused. Their fasts go unanswered. They will be consumed by God's anger.
I'm reminded of the phrase, "a broken and contrite heart" the Lord will not ignore. Our faith can not be symbolic, it must be real. If we are to truly faithful we must be faithful in our hearts as well as our actions.
Recent Comments