Return!

Jeremiah 3:19 – 4:4

^3:19 “I myself said,” ‘How gladly would I treat you like sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.’ I thought you would call me ‘Father’ and not turn away from following me. ^3:20 But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you have been unfaithful to me, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD. ^3:21 A cry is heard on the barren heights, the weeping and pleading of the people of Israel, because they have perverted their ways and have forgotten the LORD their God. ^3:22 “Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding.” “Yes, we will come to you, for you are the LORD our God. ^3:23 Surely the idolatrous commotion on the hills and mountains is a deception; surely in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel. ^3:24 From our youth shameful gods have consumed the fruits of our fathers’ labor – their flocks and herds, their sons and daughters. ^3:25 Let us lie down in our shame, and let our disgrace cover us. We have sinned against the LORD our God, both we and our fathers; from our youth till this day we have not obeyed the LORD our God.” ^4:1 “If you will return, O Israel, return to me, “ declares the LORD. “If you put your detestable idols out of my sight and no longer go astray, ^4:2 and if in a truthful, just and righteous way you swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives’ then the nations will be blessed by him and in him they will glory.” ^4:3 This is what the LORD says to the men of Judah and to Jerusalem: “break up your unplowed ground and do not sow among thorns. ^4:4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, circumcise your hearts, you men of Judah and people of Jerusalem, or my wrath will break out and burn like fire because of the evil you have done – burn with no one to quench it.

1. Core Message:

Content

1. The intimate relationship between God and Israel is like that of the father and the son, and of the husband and wife. (ch. 3, v. 19-20)
2. The people of Israel bear the evil things and destructions because they have disobeyed God and worshiped idols, but repented and returned. (ch. 3, v. 21-25)
3. Genuine repentance requires a truthful attitude and a new anticipation. (ch. 4, v. 1-4)


Theme: Return!

2. Who are God, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit?

1. Lord is the source of all blessings (v. 19, ch.4, v. 2)
2. Lord being disobeyed by his chosen people (v. 20, v. 25)
3. Lord awaiting for the return of his chosen people (v. 22)
4. Lord saving the people of Israel (v. 23)
5. Lord who is worthy of praise and glory (ch. 4, v. 2)

3. What Lessons (Command, Covenant, Role Modeling, Rebuking, and Warning) Are God Teaching Us?

i. God’s Relationship with His People (v. 1, v. 4)

“I myself said,” ‘How gladly would I treat you like sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.’ I thought you would call me ‘Father’ and not turn away from following me. But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you have been unfaithful to me, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD. (v. 19-20)

According to the above verses, we can comprehend that God uses two social relationships to characterize the relationship he has with his chosen people.

First relationship: The one of a father and son. “How gladly would I treat you like sons…”

Second relationship: The one of a husband and wife. “But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you have been unfaithful to me…”

Reflection: Having such two connections with God, how do I adjust, appreciate, and cultivate the relationship?

ii. The Sound of Weeping and Pleading (v. 21)

A cry is heard on the barren heights, the weeping and pleading of the people of Israel, because they have perverted their ways and have forgotten the LORD their God. (v. 21)

The prophets heard the weeping and pleading cry on the barren heights. The people of Israel have gone astray, forgotten the Lord their God, and worshipped idols on the hills and mountains. Having reaped no profits along with prophets’ warnings, the people of Israel realized how foolish their behaviors were. Henceforth, they cried out and pleaded to God.

Reflection: Have I ever repented and cried out to God for the deed of my sin?

iii. The Acceptance and Healing of God (v. 22)

“Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding.” “Yes, we will come to you, for you are the LORD our God. (v. 22)

When the people of Israel repented and cried out, he Lord immediately saved, cured, and accepted them. Like a loving father full of mercy, who stares at the returning of his prodigal son and says, “Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding.” Here, the words “backsliding” and “turned away” refer to being unfaithful, perverted in behaviors, and forgotten of Lord our God. With love, God accepted the Israelites once again with the expectation that they will be unfaithful no more, will be perverted in their ways no more, and will forsake the Lord their God no more. Upon hearing the merciful and loving calling of the Lord, the people of Israel answered in joy, “Yes, we will come to you, for you are the LORD our God.”

Reflection: Have I ever experienced the salvation of God, the healing of the heart and spirit, the feeling of being accepted again, and the peace and joy that come along?

iv. The Price of Forsaking God (v. 23-24)

Surely the idolatrous commotion on the hills and mountains is a deception; surely in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel. From our youth shameful gods have consumed the fruits of our fathers’ labor – their flocks and herds, their sons and daughters. (v. 23-24)

It was clearly stated in this part of the Scripture that the price of forsaking God and worshiping idols is tremendous. This includes the loss of the fruits of our fathers’ labor (flocks and herds), the loss of sons and daughters (as burnt offerings). Henceforth, not only will we lose the spiritual support of our life and also the privilege of continuing life. What a disastrous loss will it be if we will have to forfeit everything. Perhaps, this is the reason why the people of Israel said, “Surely the idolatrous commotion on the hills and mountains is a deception.” Only the Lord – our God can bring salvation to Israel.

Reflection: Whoever fears the Lord will be blessed; whoever turns away from God will lose gravely. Do I truly understand this knowledge? Am I able to recognize the benefits and losses and make the right decision?

v. Anticipation of a Truthful Repentance (ch. 4, v. 1-4)

“If you will return, O Israel, return to me, “ declares the LORD. “If you put your detestable idols out of my sight and no longer go astray, and if in a truthful, just and righteous way you swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives’ then the nations will be blessed by him and in him they will glory.” This is what the LORD says to the men of Judah and to Jerusalem: “break up your unplowed ground and do not sow among thorns. Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, circumcise your hearts, you men of Judah and people of Jerusalem, or my wrath will break out and burn like fire because of the evil you have done – burn with no one to quench it. (v. 1-4)

The Lord is full of grace, love, and mercy. Though he was faced with repeated disobedience of his people, God awaited patiently, and declared, “If you will return, O Israel, return to me!” It is especially emphasized that repentance requires profound sincerity, meaning that we cannot say one thing but act another. We must eradicate all the idols and circumcise the spirit of our heart. This is to eliminate whatsoever the uncleanness may be in the heart so that we may evade the coming of disaster and migration because God’s anger will not burn like the fire.

Reflection: Is my repentance truthful and righteous in front of God?

4. Prayer/Application

Translated by Kristin C.