Jeremiah 17:14-18 Yah, Right
Jeremiah has been sharing God’s word about impending destruction. The people aren’t believing him. “Yah. Right. God will change His mind just like the last time.”
God had been working with Israel since the beginning, trying to get her to return to Him. He allowed MANY minor to major crisis that were eventually ended when the people repented. The drought with Elijah is one example. But Jeremiah was telling them that this time was different. THIS time God wasn’t going to get them out of the trouble they were in.
The people are calling Jeremiah a liar; probably saying he is a false prophet too. They HATE what he is saying and refuse to accept it. And, for now, they are not seeing the evidence of an invader from the north. They are suffering other serious problems, but not specifically the one Jeremiah is predicting.
This is where, if it was me, I would be asking myself if this was all my imagination or if I really did hear God. Jeremiah is certain that he has heard from God but he is asking God to ‘hurry up’ and prove the words he is speaking. He is tired of being laughed at. Tired of being called a ‘doom sayer’. Fed up with people calling him a liar and saying that it is all in his head. Tired of being ignored. This is SERIOUS business that he is trying to get across to the people; but God isn’t sending the signs to back him up.
If only Jeremiah could tell them each day what was going to happen tomorrow, then they might believe. If God would explain why all these other disasters are coming instead of the one being prophesied about then they might listen. If Jeremiah new the WHOLE plan, then they might heed his warnings.
We talked about what Judah was going through prior to Babylon coming in. I preposed that this might be a ‘softening up’ period where Judah became so weak with hunger and thirst that they had now ability to fight. Did Jeremiah think about this possibility? Did he understand why God was sending other disasters first? Did he ask God why? Nope. What he did do was ask God not to ‘make a fool of him’ by delaying any longer.
“Is it time yet? Why not? When will it be time? I’m running low on credibility right now. And that is reflecting back on You too.”
I have a feeling there are people today asking that same question. They have been asking it since Jesus’ ascension. I’m talking about those telling us the end times are near. I believe it could be any time myself, but I’m not putting my name on that or signing His to any time line. I wonder if that’s a reason people are giving now for not believing. “Yah, right. You have been promising this for more than 2,000 years and it’s STILL not happened.” Believe it or not, God WILL bring about EVERYTHING He has told us about. God is not slow. He is right on time. HIS time. God gave Jeremiah an estimate; in Jeremiah’s lifetime. He hasn’t given us that precise a timeline. Just like Jeremiah, we have to trust Him. He will NOT fail to do ALL that He has promised; good and bad.
Father God, is it time yet? I honestly don’t expect any more answer than You have already given, but it felt good to ask. I trust You to pick the perfect time to bring about everything You have planned to fruition. I am glad I don’t know it all. I wouldn’t need to trust if I had the whole play book. I’ll take it as You bring it to me.
