|
|
Jeremiah 44 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
Once again the people of Judah have hardened their hearts to God. It’s unreal. To be honest, this is such a hard chapter to read because Jeremiah stands here confronting them as a prophet who has successfully predicted every event that has just taken place before their eyes. Yet, they still refuse to believe him.
Do you see yourself in this passage? What is even more unbelievable than the hardened hearts of these people is the fact that God would choose to willingly send his Son to the cross in order to wash them clean. Yes, this is not an easy chapter to read, and yes, it is a display of the wrath of God. But keep in mind, He chose to also save people with this same mentality once and for all through Jesus Christ.
Would you send your son to die for these people of Judah? I certainly wouldn’t. It’s horrifying. Yet, I believe the gravity of this great act is felt even more when you read chapters like this which illustrate the depravity of man.
In order to understand our need to repent, we must understand the gravity of our sin. This chapter really displays what we are capable of when we follow our own desires. I can’t help but think of Romans when Paul says, “God demonstrates his own love by this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
After looking at this chapter, it could be said that while the people of Judah were turning their backs, Christ died for them.