Chronological Reading Plan for Aug 7, Jer 4-6

Today's readings are Jer 4-6. Tomorrow's are Jer 7-9. 

In Jer 4, we begin to hear how total the destruction of Jerusalem will be. Jer 4:14 urges Jerusalem to " …wash your heart from evil, that you may be saved. How long shall your wicked thoughts lodge within you?", a significant verse as shows God graciously giving Judah time to repent. 

We hear of desolation, famine and drought. Nonetheless, Jerusalem stubbornly refuses to repent. Jeremiah begins to describe the invaders and the horrifying things that are coming her way.

Judah has earned God's wrath and it will pour out in a fearful way. Yet, there is hope in 5:18 "“But even in those days, declares the Lord, I will not make a full end of you." God's intention is not to eliminate His people, but to refine them. The process will be painful. There is always a price to pay for rebellion and unrepentant sin. But God intends to preserve, not destroy, those that are His. 

Jer 6 is scary and sad. In Jer6:17, God says, in effect, "I tried to warn you." But they refused to listen. The rest of the chapter details the consequences of taking God too lightly.

In a day when the popular notion of God portrays Him as a passive, gentle old man, Jeremiah's story reveals a sobering truth about our great God. He will protect and preserve His people. But there will be a horrific price to pay for treating Him too casually or for neglecting to deal with the sin in our lives. He will preserve us but He will sanctify us as well.