Jeremiah 6:13-14–Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation

Posted by Seth on Oct 6, 2009 in Bible Study, Daily Devotions |

Jeremiah 6:13-14–Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation

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Welcome to today’s Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation covering Jeremiah 6:13-14 wherein we discover the folly of living opposed to the Word of the Lord.

For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely. They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace.

Nobody likes to be the bearer of bad news (unless, I suppose, they’re greatly disturbed) but this was the substance of Jeremiah’s message to Israel. As he relayed God’s message, the people were hearing of devastation and destruction as the consequences for their sin, all the while other so-called prophets were bringing pleasant words and likely reaping the benefits.

Things had reached a great low with God’s people as they showed little evidence of being children of the covenant. They were interested in getting what they could at whatever cost to their neighbors and though parts of their historical religious system were still in place with the presence of prophets and priests, these “leaders” simply helped them down their current sinful path. It is not hard to imagine the arguments of such influencers: “These people have lots of issues that they’re dealing with and I give them hope.” We hear such words today as well. But Jeremiah, through the Spirit, brings the people the hard truth: “Those guys are lying to you; you need to repent” This is a fantastic way to make a lot of enemies very quickly! You’re telling a hurting but wicked and selfish people that there’s no peace ahead for them when most others are telling them that God is smiling at them.

So just what does it look like to heal someone’s wound lightly? A phrase that has run through my mind on different occasions regarding such things is “band-aids on fatal wounds.” I think what the Lord is communicating here is that, while there’s something good about giving words of blessing to others, the problems are not really being dealt with so that true repentance isn’t even on anyone’s radar screen. The wound is one that will end up killing the affected unless extensive surgery takes place. Imagine nearly severing your leg with a chainsaw and being rushed to the hospital where they give you a little Mickey Mouse bandage and say, “Everything will be OK.”

This is why pastors have a great responsibility to preach through God’s Word faithfully. This is why parents need to call their kids out and discipline them when they act foolishly. Many of us find ourselves on both the giving and receiving end of the Word at different points in our lives or even over the course of a week. Are you receiving it and/or declaring it in faithfulness? We do ourselves and others a great and terrible disservice when we handle the truth irresponsibly. Be faithful with and unto the Scriptures; trust God with the results.

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