HI Emile, about false patriatism you wrote, " The people and the country were exceedingly evil and Jeremiah tried to point out their eveil and false nationalism. " I agree with you about the evil of the people in Jeremiah's day but I disagree with the emphasis on nationalism. Their main problem was lack of faith, obedience and a heart of love toward God. This was evidenced by rebellion against Him(a turning away from) and a turning to worshipping idols. In deed, it is said they had an idol on every intersection. All sorts of abominable things went on under the guise of worshipping God. But, this is no new trick of Satan in trying to thwart God's redemptive plan. God had a plan for the Messiah to come to earth through the Jewish people. One way or another He was going to complete that plan. Satan as is his nature, loves to work through God's people trying to destroy God's work. Look at the history of God's people before Christ came to earth and afterwards. Satan is still working through some of those who say they are God's people. His purpose has never changed, destroy God's work and take over.
Concerning the part about nationalism, it was a misplaced faith in the Temple. They reasoned that as long as God had established the temple in Jerusalem, He would protect them from the invaders. They had completely missed the concept of spiritual laws where rebellion against Him has defined punishment. Also, they never really gave Him their hearts. God wants our heart in love.
The message God is trying to get across is that He wants our heart. He loves us and desires that we love Him. He uses the idea of the relationship between husband/wife in both the OT and NT to capture this thought. Additionally, we should be warned that rebellion against Him has a terrible consequence. This is not control by fear, this is evidence of the way things are. It's His creation, we play by His rules. God loves us. He rules with a rod of iron, this is love, the strongest possible means of getting response from people.
"1 John 4:12 No one has beheld God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us."
Love in Jesus,
David
Just got back on the thread, SI had me cutoff becauses of my witnessing on other threads. |
