AUGUST 11

As we read the Book of Jeremiah we find that the key word
is “backslide.” The nation had turned its back on the Lord and was
following false prophets who led the people to worship idols. The
word “repent” is used by the prophet Jeremiah some 11 times, but the
nation did not repent. We will read that Jeremiah wept because he
was so burdened for his fallen nation. He was called a traitor
because he prophesied the captivity, and told the kings to surrender
to Babylon. He was even persecuted by his own people. No Old
Testament prophet ever faced more opposition from false prophets
than Jeremiah did. He did prophesy the captivity, but if Judah had
repented and turned back to God, they would have been delivered from
Babylon. Because they persisted in their sins, the nation had to be
punished. But even then, God promised restoration for His name’s
sake.

Chapter 5 describes the universal depravity of Judah. There
was not one righteous man found in Judah. There was promiscuous
sexual indulgence, even among the married. Verses 7 and 8 even
indicate they were acting like animals. The warnings of Jeremiah
were being scoffed at and the whole nation was given entirely to
deceit, oppression and robbery.

Chapter 6 records a vivid, prophetic description of the
destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of the Babylonian invaders
(verses 22-26). This destruction comes to pass within Jeremiah’s own
lifetime. Over and over Jeremiah warns the nation that repentance
would be their last possible chance of escape, but they did not heed
his warning.