I'm asking these questions as I slowly read through Jeremiah. His accounts are heart-wrenching! The things that God compares Judah to as His heart breaks over their idolatry and cold-heartedness are hard to stomach.
Jeremiah pleads the cause of Israel.
And God tells him to stop or He might actually relent.
God shares His heart with Jeremiah.
And Jeremiah understands the fierce, jealous love that God has for His people.
I read recently that in those chapters it is hard to distinguish God's tears from Jeremiah's. Jeremiah was a voice in his generation to declare the word of God. Every loving word, even words that spoke of judgement if the people refused to turn to the Lord. Jeremiah loved God and he loved his fellow countrymen. He couldn't NOT speak these words. Even when that made Him a target of scorn.
Most of the people wanted to hear the words that "prophets" not sent by God speaking, "Peace, peace." even when there was no peace, because the people refused to repent. They didn't obey the first commandment. They did not love God with all of their hearts and obey Him.
I see the parallels of the sins of Israel in my generation. We do nothing to lift the burdens of the oppressed and weak. In fact, far too often our choices oppress the very ones God calls us to lift up. We refuse to seek and know the heart of God. We refuse to be the friends of God. The one's He can share His heart with and work along side.
My Lord...let me be Your friend. I want to know Your heart.
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