Merciful, Yet Vengeful
Text: Jeremiah 26:1-11
Key Verse: “If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings” (Jeremiah 26:3).
A man decided one day to play a joke on 12 of his friends; he sent them each a note that read as follows: “flee at once, all has been discovered about you”. To his shock, he discovered that 7 had fled the country within 24 hours of receiving that note, while the other 5 proved adamant, awaiting whatever betides. With this, he achieved a purpose: reaction of a heart willing to perish despite a way out, and a heart willing to escape from the wrath to come.
In our passage, God gave Prophet Jeremiah a message of warning to all the inhabitants of Judah of His impending judgment. Through him, the Lord pleaded with them to turn away from their evil ways so that He would avert the evil which He purposed to do unto them. But instead of repenting to receive God’s mercy, the people of Judah and their princes arrested and decided to kill the prophet.
The unconcerned attitude of the people of Judah to the warning of the impending doom for the godless and wicked is not new. From time immemorial, man has always trifled with the warning to escape God’s wrath and receive His mercy. The people suffered terrible consequences for neglecting repentance and refusing God’s mercy.
One would think that with all the tragic historical examples, things would be different in our time. Unfortunately, the story is still the same, if not worse. Yet, God keeps watching, warning and waiting. He is merciful to those who come to Him in repentance no matter how heavy their sins are. He is against the sinner who refuses to repent (Psalm 7:11). “To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart”. Be wise; take advantage of God’s provision of salvation in order to gain eternal life.
Thought For The Day: God is merciful towards the repentant but angry with the unrepentant.
The Bible In A Year: 2 Kings 22-23
