Good morning,
God chose the nation of Israel as His people. He gave them specific instructions on how to live life. He explained to them the difference between righteousness and unrighteousness. He sent His Prophets to warn them.
They failed to listen. They chose to rebel against God. Jeremiah had the unenviable task of proclaiming the truth to them one more time. Israel refused to obey. Ultimately, the consequence was the destruction of the temple, Jerusalem, and 70 years in Babylonian captivity.
But as there are two sides to every coin, there is also two sides to every issue. What would have happened if Israel had obeyed?
What about the United States? What have we chosen to do? Follow God or follow this ungodly world?
2 Sides of the same coin
Jeremiah 6, 7, 8
INTRODUCTION: QUARTER
1) Israel rejects God’s way
Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it. (Jeremiah 6:16-19)
United States also rejects God’s ways. God will and is bringing evil upon our land.
2) Israel refuses to obey God’s voice
But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward. (Jeremiah 7:23-24)
United States refuses to obey the voice of God, given through the evangelist and preachers.
3) Israel is not ashamed
Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD. I will surely consume them, saith the LORD: there shall be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade; and the things that I have given them shall pass away from them. (Jeremiah 8:12-13)
United States is not ashamed to allow immorality, murder and killing innocent unborn babies. God will consume us.
4) Israel provokes God to anger
Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in a far country: Is not the LORD in Zion? is not her king in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with strange vanities? (Jeremiah 8:19)
United States has provoked God to anger with worship of sports, recreation, power, toys.
5) God’s command to Jeremiah
Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee. (Jeremiah 7:16)
Will then United States be brought under the same command?
6) Israel’s opportunity to repent and be blessed
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Will the United States repent of their wickedness and allow God to bless them?
7) In God we trust
My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Honor the LORD with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. (Proverbs 3:1-15)
In whom does the United States trust? Is she willing to give up the eternal blessings of God for the temporary pleasures of this world?
CONCLUSION:
WHICH SIDE OF THE COIN ARE YOU?
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com