A Future and a Hope

Jeremiah is usually called the weeping prophet. He wept and mourned because his countrymen—the Israelites—only pretended to worship God. In private, they worshipped idols and did evil deeds. Jeremiah preached against their sin and warned them to repent—and then he told them to accept the invading Babylonian army as a judgment from God.

Not a popular message. The people were enraged. There were even false prophets who accused Jeremiah of treason and who spearheaded his persecution. But eventually, just as Jeremiah had stated, the Babylonians came, entered the city, and carried the King and others into captivity.

Jeremiah could have gloated. Instead, he continued to mourn for his people—the wayward Israelites. God’s concern were his concerns, and he sent another message from God to the transplanted captives: Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives . . . that you may be increased there, and not diminished. (Jer. 29:5,6a & c NKJV)

Jeremiah let the people know that God’s hand was still upon them. He told them they would return to Jerusalem in 70 years. Then, I [God] know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (v. 11)

Originally published February 20, 1987.

I Will Betroth You

We understand God best in human terms. So even before Jesus came as a man, the Old Testament prophets portrayed God in a number of familiar human roles—as a Father, a Potter, a Vinedresser, a Shepherd, etc.

Perhaps the most poignant role is that of Husband. The image portrays God’s desire for a love relationship with people who make a covenant with Him—and His sorrow when they desert Him for other gods.

God asked the prophet Hosea to dramatize the image of a husband forsaken by his wife when He told Hosea to marry Gomer. Hosea married her—but like the Israelites who deserted God for idols, Gomer deserted Hosea for other men. Then God moved upon Hosea to proclaim both judgment and restoration.

First, the judgment: I will hedge up your way with thorns, and wall her in . . . She will chase her lovers, but not overtake them . . . . (Hos. 2:6a & c NKJV)

Then the restoration: I will allure her . . . and speak comfort . . . in that day . . . you will call Me, “My Husband,” and no longer call Me “My Master.” (v. 14a & c,16b)

We ache for Hosea when we read the story—and for the wayward Gomer as well. We also receive understanding of God’s ache when we reject Him. God’s heart longs for His people. He says, I will betroth you . . . I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. . . . (v. 19a,20)

Originally published March 13, 1987.
Picture: City park, Havre, MT, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Throw Them Away

The Canaanites were the people who occupied the promised land before the Israelites arrived. They worshipped idols, and they often enshrined their idols on hills. These idols were a problem for the Israelites. There were even times when the Israelites loved the idols.

We wonder why they would, but idols did not tell them they were sinners. Idols did not tell them to repent—or to feel sorry for sin—or to give up sin. In fact, the people who worshipped idols delighted in encouraging others to get involved in idol worship. When more were involved, they could feel just a little bit better about their activities. At one point, the Israelites said to God’s servant, Give us no more visions of what is right. Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. (Is. 30:10b NIV) They gave themselves to sin.

Throughout Israel’s history, however, a faithful remnant of believers resisted idol worship. And then there were the godly prophets who faithfully brought God's messages of truth.

True messages from God share two facets of His love. Isaiah prophesied judgment. He also prophesied healing from the effects of sin. And he spoke about a time when the Israelites would return to the Lord and throw them [their idols] away. (v. 22)

The Israelites might have felt they could live life however they pleased when they worshipped idols that remained silent. But during times of trouble, the Israelites discovered problems with a god who said nothing—who seemed to be asleep. Then they needed and wanted a living God.

Originally published April 25, 1984 and June 22, 1984.