WHY? LORD WHY?

Jeremiah 29:19

Morning Meditations 9/7/2013

"Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith the LORD."

These words constitute an indictment against Israel and it is a "done deal." Israel had taken it for granted that Since God brought them out of Egyptian bondage, that they were free to do what seemed right to them.

It is not an uncommon thing for the people of this world to think God owes them something. They feel that since they have such a rich history, and that the end has already been spelled out by God, that they can get away with anything. When men are blinded by their own ego they are about to meet with the judgment of God.

One of the things that happens when God comes down to judge His people, they try to look surprised and say, "what did I do?" They are blind to their own ungodliness. Out of the great promises of God there are also clear warnings.

However, this text is not a warning, it is a prophecy that they are going to be overcome by a foreign power. First the Lord,

GIVES THE REASON

"Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith the LORD." Observe the following:

1. "Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD." When the word "because" appears in the text, you can always follow it by a reason. When God's chastening judgment comes upon Israel, it is an explanation of WHY. Gods chastening judgments are aimed at instruction. It would be great if we would listen to God and repent and cast ourselves upon His mercy. But in the case of Israel, they were too hard headed or hard hearted to listen.

The Jews were filled with pride as a nation. The nature of Israel's struggle is tied to their obedience to God. God expects an attentive audience when He speaks. So, the reason for the judgment is corrective. If the Jews refuse the warning of God's judgment, His words are changed to acts.

2. The words "saith the LORD," identify the source of the instruction. The prophets were accountable for their messages. There are great sections of Scripture where the writer is quoting from the past. The written Word is God's word and stands as it is and woe be to the man who attempts to change it. Revelation 22:18-19, "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

3. The Word of God is called THE HOLY BIBLE. It would be well for those to take note who are handling it so carelessly to day. They do this in the guise of giving us a more readable Bible in our English Language.

4. American missionaries have done more in our generation to get the gospel around the World than anytime since the time of Christ. They have used, for the most part, The King James Bible.

5. The Lord gives reason for His chastening of them. If we are taught by the rod, it is a teaching that we will not soon forget.

"Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith the LORD."

It is a definite departure from Scripture for one to add to or take from the word as it is given in its written form. The man who does this is not smart. He is a idiot!!!

It is not reasonable for a son of man, saved by the grace of God, to rise to improve on the Holy Book. "Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith the LORD.

It is not just acknowledging the Scriptures to be infallible, inerrant, and verbally inspired that God wants for His people. He desires our practice of His words. It is only when His Word is incarnated in us, and as someone has said, "Fleshed out," that we achieve the undeniable presence with God as we witness to others.

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White