Be Careful Who You Pick a Fight With

As this series of articles goes through Jeremiah 2, we find that, if the Israelite people want to pick a fight with God (my paraphrase), then He will “bring charges against” them (NIV) or “contend with” them (NASB).

“Therefore I bring charges against you again,”
declares the LORD.
“And I will bring charges against your children’s children.
Jeremiah 2:9 NIV

https://jeremiah.bible/jeremiah-2-9

I don’t want to be callous here (so please read through this entire paragraph to get the whole story), but in the past I have described Hell (i.e., a place away from God) as a place where those who don’t want anything to do with God obtain what they want (or perhaps what they think or say that they want).  Of course, I certainly do not want that to happen to anyone, since separation from God is a terrible thing – one that I believe Jesus experienced on the cross when He bore our sins.  There is often a lot of ignorance contained in decisions to reject God, and I hope that those who have found the freedom of following Jesus Christ (including me) can educate others about how God is the source of good things (see James 1:16-18), since we don’t want anyone to make a permanent choice that will exclude Him.

Here, though, the Israelites are getting the opportunity to reap what they are sowing.  They might give God lip service or perform religious ceremonies for Him, but God can only be correctly worshiped to the exclusion of all other gods.  (This is found in the first and second commandments from the Ten Commandments, after all.  See Exodus 20:3-6; Deuteronomy 5:7-10)  Having said that, David Faust in the Lookout study guide (cited below) reminds us that the Israelites – through Aaron – were making a golden calf as an idol while Moses was receiving these commandments from God.)  Israelites in Jeremiah’s day had chosen to follow things other than God, and so they are going to find out what it means when God is no longer on their side (versus His support while they were in the wilderness).

Still, even those who are being disciplined by God (out of love and often with plenty of warnings) are not prevented from experiencing some of God’s blessings.  When Jesus said to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, He pointed out that God provides for both the righteous and the unrighteous.  (See Matthew 5:44-45)  Those who don’t think that they need God are recipients of His blessings daily.   The beauty of creation, our freedom of will, the very ability for us to live and breathe – all of these are gifts from God that none of us earned.

Perhaps this is one reason why we should praise and thank God: as a reminder that He is the one that gives us all good things (see James 1:16-17).  For those who think that they don’t need God, or that they don’t need to rely on God, we should remind them that separating themselves from God and His provisions means giving up the very air that we breathe, the bodies that we inhabit, the universe that we live in, and our existence as uniquely-created beings.  God is patient, but eventually His grace will reach a limit as our mortal lives come to an end (or when Jesus returns).  Make time to thank God and seek more of His blessings while we still can.  Trust me, life is better with Him than without Him!

From Sunday School lesson prepared for June 11, 2023

References:

• The Lookout, June 11, 2023, © 2023 Christian Standard Media.
• Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
• Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation.
• The College Press NIV Commentary – Jeremiah-Lamentations, by Timothy M. Willis.  © 2002 College Press Publishing Co.