October 26, 2022 -- Jeremiah 5:1-3 -- A man of justice and truth

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem,
look and take note!
Search her squares to see
if you can find a man,
one who does justice
and seeks truth,
that I may pardon her.
2 Though they say, “As the LORD lives,”
yet they swear falsely.
3 O LORD, do not your eyes look for truth?
You have struck them down,
but they felt no anguish;
you have consumed them,
but they refused to take correction.
They have made their faces harder than rock;
they have refused to repent.
Jeremiah 5:1-3 ESV

What is amazing is that the LORD raises up a righteous prophet to carry out His will among a people who appear to be completely faithless. There is a man who does justice and seeks truth—it is Jeremiah. Though the streets of the ancient city of Jerusalem were filled with people who hypocritically called on the Name of the LORD, still there was at least one holy man among them.

The LORD afflicted His people so that they would turn to Him and be corrected in their way. They refuse. Later in this same chapter the LORD declared: “I will not make a full end of you” (Jeremiah 5:18). Why? For His Own Name’s sake. He does not make a full end of His people because of His covenant love. He knows His people cannot be good, so He prepares them for the anticipated Savior of the world: Jesus.

When you read this passage, is your heart softened to the things of the LORD? Are you aware of the sins which undermine your statement of faith? The LORD is the LORD of Truth. When a man confesses his sins he is proving the LORD is right and true. He will discipline those He loves so that they will forsake their sins and cling to Him alone.

Take correction.

Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
than he who flatters with his tongue. Proverbs 28:23 ESV

Notice that a righteous man will not only receive rebuke, or correction, he will appreciate the one who delivers it honestly.

Mighty God, thank You for the gift of the righteous prophet, the forerunner of Your righteous Son. Thank You for all those who call us to forsake our sin and return to You. Forgive us for the times we have stiffened our necks and hardened our hearts against Your perfect Word. Rule us by Your Spirit in such a way that the Word will be the wonderful light that leads us to Jesus Christ. Amen.

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