Jeremiah was chosen to be a prophet by God during the reign of Josiah, in Judah. It was a perilous time for the small nation, as pressure was rising from an ascendant Egypt, and from the growing menace of Babylon. King Josiah was killed by Pharaoh Necho at Megiddo (cf. 2 Kings 23:30). His sons Jehoahaz and Eliakim (Jehoiakim) were vassals of the Egyptian king, as Judah lost its sovereignty at Josiah’s death.
A decade later Babylon’s increasing strength led to the subjugation of Judah to a vassal state. After an ineffectual rebellion, the people were dispossessed of the land that God had given them. All of this was witnessed by the prophet, who saw the siege of Jerusalem during the reign of Zedekiah, and the burning of the temple of Jehovah.
Secular history will note the ascendancy of Babylon as successor to the domination of the Assyrians. They will attribute the success of the Babylonians to the genius of Nebuchadnezzar, first as general, then as the most powerful monarch of that empire. Scripture too has much to say about the King of Babylon, as the prophets Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel all speak of him, and his opposition to the people of God. What secular history will not reveal is the part that the Almighty played in the subjugation of Judah, and its captivity at the hands of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar, as mighty as he was, was a puppet in the hands of Jehovah.
The question of “Why?” – “Why did God allow the captivity of Judah in Babylon?” – is easily answered. It was because of the sin of the people. Jeremiah wrote about this sin, and God’s response. There is a telling summary statement Jehovah made early in Jeremiah’s book.
“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water” (Jeremiah 2:13).
The text is a reference to the idolatry of God’s people. But, in this statement there is a distinction made between Judah and the pagan nations around them. The surrounding nations were also guilty of idolatry. In fact, these were the peoples who led the Israelites into their own idolatrous practices. But, the Israelites belonged to the Lord. They were special. There were two sins present here. First, they forsook Jehovah. Second, they supplanted him with the ineffectual worship of false Gods.
This rejection of Jehovah was complete. The people showed no shame. They were described as like a woman who played the harlot. “Lift up your eyes to the desolate heights and see: Where have you not lain with men? By the road you have sat for them like an Arabian in the wilderness; and you have polluted the land with your harlotries and your wickedness” (Jeremiah 3:2). Note here the phrase, “your harlotries (idolatry) and your wickedness.” A rejection of God includes not only supplanting Him in your life, but also a dissolution of morals. Paul observed this in pagan society, “Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen” (Romans 1:22-25). The list of sins in Romans 1:29-31, including sexual sin, malicious acts and prideful excesses, all came because they forgot God. “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting” (Romans 1:28).
Judah’s sin was in some ways worse. Jehovah said, “But you have played the harlot with many lovers; Yet return to Me” (Jeremiah 3:1). They forsook God, but then returned in pretense, as if they had done nothing wrong. In this Jehovah contrasted them with the northern kingdom of Israel. Israel had descended completely into idolatry. For this, Jehovah had divorced her (judged her). Judah should have learned and remained faithful to God. They did not. “‘And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense,’ says the Lord. Then the Lord said to me, ‘Backsliding Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah’’ (Jeremiah 3:10-11). Consider the application. It is bad enough to depart entirely from Jehovah. It is even worse to depart but make a pretense of faithfulness. Such a pretense is possible only for those who are chosen of God. The guilt of that sin is presently possible only for the unfaithful Christian.
There is a sense in which we could point to the denominational practices we see today as an example of such wickedness. The Americanized version of the Christian faith is not representative of true discipleship. Appealing to the worldly to “come as you are”, promising God’s blessing, is unconscionable. Proclaiming a life of blessing without sacrifice is inappropriate. A compromise of principles of truth and righteousness is the quintessential definition of “pretense.”
However, the proper application is to examine the Lord’s church for the potential of unfaithfulness. Any departure from truth, from devotion, from righteousness is parallel to the unfaithfulness of Judah. It is one thing to be guilty of forsaking God. It is another entirely to forsake God, while making a pretense of faithfulness.
With that in mind, might I suggest a few questions for God’s people to ask, both individually and collectively, as we test our hearts before our God.
- Is the worship we offer in accord with scripture, both in form and in devotion?
- Is our attitude toward scripture changing, or do we continue to accept it as the authoritative and complete guide to practice and teaching?
- Are our inclinations oriented toward innovation and novelty, or toward the simplicity and power of New Testament worship and teaching?
- Are we careful to differentiate between culture and scripture?
- Are cultural changes impacting our views of morality and righteousness?
- Do we look for excuses to indulge our desires, or are we careful to consider God’s call to righteousness, propriety and shamefacedness?
- Do we profess a sense of pride and exclusivity, or do we proclaim the will of our Lord with humility?
- As we insist on an adherence to the pattern of scripture, are we actively seeking the practice of pure and undefiled religion? In other words, are we so preoccupied with “don’t do this” that we neglect to do what is expected of us?
- As we examine our hearts, does our “first love” remain? Are we zealous for good works?
- Do we “rejoice with those who rejoice”, and “weep with those who weep”?
- Is our behavior different when other Christians are present? Or are we diligent at all times?
- Is our dress modest? Are we sober? Are we patient? Are we meek?
- Are we fulfilling our domestic obligations as husbands, wives, parents and children, in accord with the teaching of scripture?
- Are we persistent in prayer?
- Do we study and meditate upon God’s word regularly?
- Are we submissive to those who have the rule over us?
- Are we neighbors to the oppressed and unfortunate?
- Are we guilty of holding “the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality”?
- Is there a spirit of strife that exists in our fellowship? Or are we united in the “same mind and in the same judgment”?
- Are we as fathers truly bringing up our children “in the training and admonition of the Lord”?
- Are we as mothers truly loving our husbands and our children?
- Are we obedient citizens to the secular government we are under?
- Is our first allegiance to the kingdom of God?
This list of questions is certainly not exhaustive. It serves two purposes. First, to note the comprehensive nature of our Christian responsibilities. God expects our devotion to Him be seen in every aspect of our lives. Second, it serves to emphasize the need for introspection, lest we be guilty of pretense.
Judah had forsaken God. The consequence of her unfaithfulness was striking: the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and seventy years of captivity in Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar was merely the implement of God’s judgment. God always blesses the righteous, but no unrighteous man will escape the consequence of his sin.
Is my congregation faithful to God? Are we devoted and submissive in our worship and work? Are we fulfilling our responsibilities to Him, to one another, and to the world?
Am I personally serving the Lord with all of my might? Am I seeking righteousness? Am I animated by the will of my Lord? Am I loving God and my neighbor? Is it possible that I am acting treacherously, serving the Lord only in pretense?
The questions are sobering and demand an answer from each of us!
