SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 5
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end? [Jeremiah 5:30-31]
Jeremiah looks fro someone that is righteous; he asssumes that maybe it is just the poor and ignorant that disobey God but discovers that the leaders are just as bad… even worse [Jeremiah 5:4-5].
This is the real problem, for as the leaders go, so go the people.
This is why it is a horrible and shocking thing that the leaders lie and rule by their own forceful control.
And to add to the crisis, the people are OK with it.
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! [John 8:44-45]
Jesus makes a similar bold claim – that the leaders are guilty of deception and abuse of their authority.
He goes so far as to call them children of the devil… yikes!
The reason He is so sharp in His rebuke is because it is a horrible and shocking thing when the leaders replace God’s truth and God’s authority with their own.
When leaders fail, the people flounder and eventually pay the price.
Look to the leaders of today, whether in church or government or business or education… what do we see, what do we hear?
Is there integrity, honesty, humility, justice, truth, self denial, generosity?
Those who teach (and lead) are judged more harshly, for they ought to know better.
If I am not praying, if I am not generous with my time or finances, if I am half-hearted in my devotion, if I am not spending intentional time with the Lord in the bible, can I expect others to?
PRAYER:
Lord, remind me that You are my Father, and that I am to serve and obey You! Show me where I am listening to the wrong ‘father’, and help me not to commit this horrible, shocking crime – speaking my own words, ruling in my own strength.
The people have gone their own way and done what was right in their own eyes. There is none who does what is right. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth I will forgive says the Lord. But there is none.
Not only do the people not know the requirements of their God, but also their leaders. They all thought they are safe and secure because the Lord God will not do anything to His own. The people we blind and deaf since they did not want to see or hear His word. They were hardened in their own ways. Even the religious leaders were right in their own eyes.
Open my eyes Lord each day anew so that I walk in Your ways. Help me each day anew to know You to love You and to do Your Word in my life. Help me daily to live for Jesus. Help me by Your Spirit to see You daily. Make me an instrument of Your peace.
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
I am looking, I am listening
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Help me to know Your will (repeat)
The right word to say,
the best move to make
Who’s in need of a helping hand
For Your perfect ways are worthy of praise
I delight just to do Your plan
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
I am looking, I am listening
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Help me to know Your will (repeat to beginning)
Help me to know Your will
Help me to know Your will