Jerusalem’s Last Warning (Day 12)

Read Jeremiah 6:1-15
 
   The Lord warned Jeremiah’s own tribe of Benjamin to flee, not to the security of the great walled city of Jerusalem because it would be under siege, but toward Tekoa, a town about 12 miles south of Jerusalem. The warning smoke signal was lit at Beth-hakkerem, halfway between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. The shepherds were the leaders of Babylon’s armies, and their flocks were their troops. 

The few who remain in Israel refers to those left after the first wave of destruction. Like a grape gatherer, Babylon wouldn’t be satisfied until every person was taken. Babylonians invaded Judah three times until they destroyed the nation and its Temple completely (2 Kings 24-25). 
 
   The people became angry and closed their ears. They wanted no part of God’s commands because living for God did not appear very exciting. As in Jeremiah’s day, people today dislike God’s demand for disciplined living. As unsettling as people’s responses might be, we must continue to share God’s Word. Our responsibility is to present God’s Word; their responsibility is to accept it. We must not let what people want to hear determine what we say. 
 
   “Ignore it and maybe it will go away.” Sound familiar? This was Israel’s response to Jeremiah’s warnings. They kept listening to predictions of peace because they did not like Jeremiah’s condemnation of their sin. But denying the truth never changes it; what God says always happens. Sin is never removed by denying its existence. We must confess to God that we have sinned and ask Him to forgive us.