No Matter How Far You Are, Turn to God and Find Guidance Home

Jeremiah makes a stunning pronouncement in chapter 3. 

Jeremiah 3:11 (ESV) And the LORD said to me, “Faithless Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah.

Israel had been more wicked than Judah up to this point by far. They are the nation of Ahab and Jezebel. They are the prophet-killing kingdom. They were the spiritual offspring of vile Jeroboam who taught Israel to abandon the Lord and worship in the high places. Yet here, Jeremiah says Judah is less righteous than Israel. How?

Simply put, because Judah saw what happened to Israel. They were handed over to the Assyrians and destroyed. Judah should have paid attention and learned in order to avoid the same fate, but they did not, they ran in the same rebellious direction without care. There is a greater condemnation on the people who should have learned from the failures of those before them. 

Jeremiah offers that northern nation hope:
Jeremiah 3:12 (ESV) Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, “ ‘Return, faithless Israel, declares the LORD. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the LORD; I will not be angry forever.

God calls Israel back to Himself. Why? Because He is merciful. He knew that Israel did not have someone to learn from. Their total waywardness, while inexcusable, was a first for God's people. When they experienced the severe consequences of their rebellion they were the "test case" for others.

God offers them an open door. And that door is opened by His mercy and their confession of guilt.
Jeremiah 3:13–14 (ESV) Only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled against the LORD your God and scattered your favors among foreigners under every green tree, and that you have not obeyed my voice, declares the LORD. 14 Return, O faithless children, declares the LORD; for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.

Then God makes a wonderful promise in response to their repentance. They will receive fresh guidance and choice food.
Jeremiah 3:15 (ESV) “ ‘And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.

I sometimes think that people stay away from God or the Church because of how far they feel they need to go to get their lives right. But repentance is a powerful step that leads to more and more blessings from the Lord. He will give you shepherds to guide you. He will take you from one step to the next. Only return from where you are and watch Him go to work.

Jeremiah is a sad book but the sadness itself is a symbol of grace. God weeps as we walk away. God responds with grace when we turn back!

Amen.

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