Intro: With truth confession, God requires godly living

Synopsis – The appeal from God is to flee or respond (vs 1-8), but ironically their greed and shamelessness cause them to ignore God (vs 9-15); which then leads to a total refusal (vs 16-20).  The news of the impeding terror of the enemy (vs 21-26) does not sway God’s people, resulting in God rejecting them (vs 27-30)

1.      Practitioners of evil (vs 1-8)

a)    God looks for integrity, not beauty (vs 1-2; I Sam 16:7)

b)   God can use pagans for His purposes (vs 3-6a)

c)    Oppression, violence and destruction is the norm; this was nurtured by God’s people! (vs 6b-7)

d)   A clear warning – repent (vs 8)

2.     Scornful of the Word (vs 9-15)

a)    Jeremiah’s exasperation:

o  The people don’t want to hear the Word (vs 10a)

o  Being still in their sin (i.e. “uncircumcised”), they are incapable of understanding [God’s Word] (vs 10b, Acts 7:51, I Cor. 2:14)

o  Their response therefore is scorn (vs 10c; Jer 15:16)

b)   Society’s condition – greed was rampant (vs 13-14) and the people shameless of their sin (vs 15)

3.     Refusal to godly counsel (vs 16-26)

Even though godly leaders speak God’s Word clearly, the people respond “We will not …” (vs. 16c, 17b)

4.     God’s unexpected response – rejection (vs 27-30)

                Whenuseless to God, we are set aside (Luke 14:33-35)

 

Conclusion:                  God’s desire is we be a holy witness (Phil 2:13-15)