July 12, 2026 - Jeremiah 5-8

From ch. 4 the prophet spoke for the Lord:  “I have spoken; I have purposed; I have not relented, nor will I turn back” (4:28).  God pronounced such harsh judgment because his people simply refused to repent, all of them.  In case Jeremiah doubted this reality, the Lord presented him with a task:  “Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, look and take note!  Search her squares to see if you can find a man, one who does justice and seeks truth, that I may pardon her” (5:1).  One, just one righteous man and God would pardon the whole bunch.  But there were none.  This must have been a harsh and painful lesson for Jeremiah.  In fact, he argued that these unrepentant were only the poor and the senseless.  Surely, among the great would be found some righteous; certainly, at least, one.  But, no, “they all alike had broken the yoke; they had burst the bonds” (5:5).  Still, the Lord cried out:

Stand by the roads, and look,

and ask for the ancient paths,

      where the good way is; and walk in it,

      and find rest for your souls.

But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

I set watchmen over you, saying,

      ‘Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet!’

But they said, ‘We will not pay attention.’ (6:16-17)

How patient is our God!  How willing to forgive, to pardon!  If we will only ask.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

“Come unto Me and rest;

Lay down, O weary one, lay down

Thy head upon My breast.”

I came to Jesus as I was,

Weary, and worn, and sad;

I found in him a resting-place,

And he has made me glad.   -- Horatius Bonar (1846)