HoHum:
It is said that Ghandi was asked, "What is your opinion of the American civilization?"
His reply: "I think it would be an excellent idea."
WBTU:
A few years ago, a politician said this: “A country that has been now since 1963 relentlessly in the courts driving God out of public life shouldn't be surprised at all by the problems we have."
“History fails to record a single precedent in which nations subject to moral decay have not passed into political and economic decline. There has been either a spiritual awakening to overcome the moral lapse, or a progressive deterioration leading to ultimate national disaster.” - General Douglas MacArthur
In Jeremiah 5 we see the descriptions of a nation in moral and religious decline. Even though King Josiah tried to lead a revival in Judah, it was short lived. Judgment was coming at the hand of the Babylonians. After King Josiah was killed in a battle with the Egyptians, the end was not far away. The people from the least to the greatest were bent on sin and rebellion so the Lord had to disciple and punish. How can a holy God be tolerant of an unholy people?
The parallels to our own day are striking. I do not know what kind of discipline or punishment is in store for us (I’m not a prophet) but the Lord will not allow sin to reign supreme.
Jeremiah 5 gives us 6 reasons why the terrible judgment upon the nation of Judah was necessary.
Thesis: Let’s look at these 6 reasons and compare them to our own nation
For instances:
Moral corruption (vs. 1-6)
Vs. 1-2:
God told Jeremiah to find one righteous man in Jerusalem. If Jeremiah could find one righteous man God would spare the city.
Jeremiah did find some who used the name of God in oaths, but these did not keep their promises made in God’s name. God as looking for justice in man’s dealings with their fellow man, and truth and faithfulness in their dealings with God. Because they were not truthful or faithful in their dealings with others and God, they would have to receive discipline from God.
Vs. 3- When the discipline came, they hardened their faces like rock and refused to repent.
Vs. 4-5: Jeremiah was still not ready to concede that no righteous man could be found in the nation. He thought that among the wealthy he would find those who had the leisure time to study and know the ways of God. Unfortunately, he found that they too had “broken off the yoke and tore off the bonds” with God.
Vs. 6- Only one fate awaited an ox that broke loose from its yoke and headed for the forest. The wild animals would rip it to pieces. Because of their many “transgressions’ and apostasies,” such would be the fate of Judah at the hands of the Babylonians.
If the power of the Gospel is not felt throughout the length and breadth of the land, anarchy and misrule, degradation and misery, corruption and darkness will reign without mitigation or end- Daniel Webster, US Senator
Sexual impurity (vs. 7-9)
Even though God provided all the material needs for his people, yet the flocked to the house of the temple prostitute to participate in pagan worship. Their “worship” practices had spilled over into everyday life. Sexual desire had become an uncontrollable animal appetite. Like mindless horses they neighed after the mares. Such a breakdown of sexual standards is an affront to God. He must punish any nation which permits this corruption to take place.
Looking at the news the other day on the internet and there was an article about the Victorian Secret Fashion Show 2013. One picture was enough for me. I did not click on that article. What good is this? "I’m looking at underwear for my wife." No, I don’t think so.
Without even discussing the acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle, think about how sexually impure we are as a nation. We glorify any kind of sex except marital sex. Because of this we are quickly abandoning the traditional family structure. Just consider what the consequences of “free love” and the “hookup culture” have been for America…
Back in 1950, 78% of all households in the United States contained a married couple. Today, that number has declined to 48%. The marriage rate in the United States has fallen to an all-time low. In the United States today, more than half of all couples “move in together” before they get married. America has the highest divorce rate on the globe by a wide margin. Approximately one out of every three children in the United States lives in a home without a father. For women under the age of 30 living in the United States today, more than half of all babies are being born out of wedlock.
Treacherous unbelief (vs. 10-18)
Vs. 10: God himself would direct the enemy into his vineyard (Judah) to being the pruning process. Those who had been unfaithful to the Lord would be removed by death or exile. A restriction, however, was imposed upon the pruners, not to make complete destruction.
Vs. 11-13: God’s chosen people had dealt treacherously with the Lord. Their most sacred relationship with God had been violated, and that due to no fault of the Lord. These people did not believe that God could or would bring any calamity upon them. They regarded God’s spokesmen of coming destruction (like Jeremiah) as nothing but windbags. They threatened the messengers with the same judgment which had been pronounced on them.
Vs. 14-18: The threats of Jeremiah’s preaching were not idle. God assured him that his words would be a judgment fire to consume his skeptical audience. Babylonians would overrun the land, devouring everything in their path including fortified cities in which the Jews had put their trust. Yet a remnant would survive; God would not destroy them completely.
Speaking of unbelief there is a court case before the Supreme Court about whether it is right for the town of Greece, New York to open its city meetings with prayer. A few weeks ago I prayed at opening of the city of RS council meeting. I closed my prayer with “In Jesus’ name. Amen” Might be coming a day when this will not longer be allowed in public.
Some are saying that we have never been a Christian nation. Patrick Henry wrote, “It cannot be emphasized too strongly that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religion, but on the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ!” This is just one quote from many that clearly show that we were founded on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and governed by the commandments of our God. Major history revisions that are not true.
Religious apostasy (vs. 19-24)
Vs. 19: Once these things came to pass, people would seek out the prophets to inquire as to the reason for it. They had served foreign gods in Canaan; God would make them serve strangers in a foreign land.
Vs. 21-24: Jeremiah was preaching to a foolish and senseless people. They were totally insensitive to God. They had no reverence for the God who controls the movements of the sea and gives rain in its season. While the mighty ocean obeys the will of God, the chosen people did not. This people had a stubborn and rebellious heart; they had departed from the boundaries established by God in His Word. They were totally dependent on God for the harvests, but they no intention of reverencing him.
In past few years, homosexuality seems to be a litmus test on religious apostasy. The Bible is so clear that this is unnatural, unrighteous, a perversion, an abomination. “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, NIV. This is something to be overcome not celebrated by some kind of civil union or government sanction. Scary but in Canada this is considered hate speech.
Social injustice (vs. 25-29)
By devious means the wealthy were taking advantage of the innocent. Their houses were full of ill gotten gain. They were totally inconsiderate of the rights of the helpless. “He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” Proverbs 14:31, NIV. Acts of injustice are offenses against God and he must avenge them.
Corrupt leaders (vs. 30-31)
Jeremiah concludes his list of reasons for judgment with a horrible and shocking thing. Prophets prophesied falsely and the priests were at their beck and call. The people, however, were as guilty as their leaders for they encouraged the deliberate perversion of God’s truth.
Many times the church says nothing about all of this corruption. Don’t want to bite the hand that feeds them. “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” 2 Timothy 4:3, NIV.
