The priests, the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speak these words in the house of the LORD. But as soon as Jeremiah finished telling all the people everything the LORD had commanded him to say, the priest, the prophets and all the people seized him and said, “You must die!” (Jeremiah 26: 7-8 NIV)
Airline executives become upset when an inspector suddenly grounds one of their planes. If the safety official determines the jet should not fly, it is because they serve the public’s interest. The executives, on the other hand, serve the company. Anything that cuts into profits is unwelcome.
Jeremiah’s charge was to speak God’s words. For fulfilling this calling, Judah’s prophets and priests wanted him dead. Despite their prophet and priest name, they did not serve God or the people, but the king. Instead of obeying God and addressing the nation’s sin problem, they turned on His messenger. Convenience and status quo trumped the well-being of the people, so Jeremiah’s warnings made them hostile enemies.
In the interest of saving my brothers and sisters, I offer a dozen reasons why the status quo must be immediately interrupted. Continuing to operate without seeking forgiveness through Christ and turning to Him for mercy will result in catastrophe.
Judgment is ahead if we fail to consider the consequences for our…
#1- Refusal to turn from wickedness (2 Chronicles 7:13-14, Revelation 9:20-21)
#2- Drowning in debt (Proverbs 22:7)
#3- Enemies on the outside (Deuteronomy 28:25)
#4- Wide-scale violence, threats of anarchy and corruption on the inside (Genesis 6:11-13, Luke 17:26)
#5- Ignorance of God’s signs and ways (Matthew 16:3, Jeremiah 5:12)
#6- Idolatry, gross immorality and decadence (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
#7- Failed leadership (Matthew 15:14, Hosea 4:6)
#8- Preparations for war among the nations (Mark 13:5-8)
#9- Deceit and the lies promoted among the people (Jeremiah 5:30-31)
#10- False prophets who promise “peace and safety” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3, 2 Peter 2:1-3)
#11- General lack of fear and reverence for God (Deuteronomy 25:17-19, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
And #12- Worship of people and created things rather than the Creator whom we cannot see (Romans 1:18-32)
What would you add to this list?
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December 2, 2015 at 9:43 am
arjdolphins
This is a very good list. I would add the following.
1) Rejection of God as King (1 Samuel 8:7)
2). Luke- warmness (Revelation 3:15-16)
People who reject God will reject the clear warnings in Scripture and not heed God’s commands. Those people will accept the law of antichrist. Also anyone not grounded in God’s Word, even if they claim to be a Christian, but are on the fence, will fall away (2 Thessalonians 2:8-10).