Well, this is almost a repeat of last week’s reading.
God continued to tell Jeremiah to warn the people of coming destruction, painting a picture of extreme desolation – drought, famine, violence, death.
It occurred to me Jeremiah probably didn’t get invited over for dinner very often. In fact, in chapter 11, he says that God revealed to him that others plotted against him. Evidently, they thought getting rid of the messenger would also get rid of the message. Not so! God told Jeremiah He would severely punish those who were plotting against Jeremiah.
What brought this on? Continued stubbornness, an absolute refusal to listen to God and follow his ways.
By now, Jeremiah is discouraged. Who can blame him? The destruction God told him to predict isn’t happening, no one seems to like him, people pay lip service to God, but in reality are hardening their hearts, going their merry way. They compounded the sins of their ancestors, worshipping idols, turning away from God.
The coming destruction is going to be so great that God tells Jeremiah not to marry or have children, a highly unusual state at that time. Chapter 16 ends with God telling Jeremiah again that he will send judgement, through the hands of others, and he will show them indisputably “the meaning of my name God.” Later we will see God showing himself strong, and the people see God for who he is.
As I read this, I think what I felt most is sadness. So much needless suffering headed their way. Were they really that dense? Or did they think they had more time to repent, because they were having too good a time now to repent? Did they think God’s judgement would come later, after all it hadn’t happened yet?
It also struck me how incredibly alone Jeremiah must have felt. He was doing what God called him to, and no one seemed to appreciate it. Would I have been able to remain so determined, focused on God’s message? Would I have tried to soften the message, so maybe those around me wouldn’t get upset (or offended—God forbid I say something politically incorrect!) yet knowing what God really said?
The purpose of these warnings is woven through the messages: if they repent, God WILL restore them (15:19). He wants to be with them, with a people that are devoted to him and him alone. This message has not diminished over the years! Take heart, God is still calling us home, and is restoring our lives and that of our loved ones!
