Was the wrath of God poured out on Israel an act of mercy? n There were some that could rightly be...

Was the wrath of God poured out on Israel Was the wrath of God poured out on Israel an act of mercy?an act of mercy?


There were some that could rightly be There were some that could rightly be called “children of wrath.” They like called “children of wrath.” They like Pharaoh, hardened their hearts and had only Pharaoh, hardened their hearts and had only expectation of wrath. expectation of wrath. (Jer 15:2)(Jer 15:2)



Jeremiah 15:2Jeremiah 15:2 - "And it shall be, if they - "And it shall be, if they say to you, 'Where should we go?' then you say to you, 'Where should we go?' then you shall tell them, 'Thus says the LORD: "shall tell them, 'Thus says the LORD: "Such Such as as are are for death, to deathfor death, to death; And ; And such as such as are are for the sword, to the swordfor the sword, to the sword; And ; And such as such as are are for the famine, to the faminefor the famine, to the famine; And ; And such such as as are are for the captivity, to the captivityfor the captivity, to the captivity." ."



God had a long term plan for Israel and all God had a long term plan for Israel and all men.men.



The nation of Israel had yet to fulfill its The nation of Israel had yet to fulfill its purpose of the promised Messiah coming purpose of the promised Messiah coming

from the descendants of Abraham. from the descendants of Abraham. (Gen 12:1-3)(Gen 12:1-3)



Genesis 12:1-3Genesis 12:1-3 – – “Now the LORD had said to “Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To family And from your father's house, To a land a land that I will show youthat I will show you. 2 . 2 I will make you a great I will make you a great nationnation; I will bless you And make your name ; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. 3 I will great; And you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And him who curses you; And in you all the in you all the families of the earth shall be blessedfamilies of the earth shall be blessed.”.”



God was mercifully fulfilling a plan to God was mercifully fulfilling a plan to purify Israel and thus extend its existence purify Israel and thus extend its existence as a nation until the coming of Christ. as a nation until the coming of Christ. (Ezk 14:22-23)(Ezk 14:22-23)



Ezekiel 14:22-23Ezekiel 14:22-23 - "Yet behold, - "Yet behold, there shall there shall be left in it a remnantbe left in it a remnant who will be brought who will be brought out, out, both both sons and daughters; surely they sons and daughters; surely they will come out to you, and will come out to you, and you will see their you will see their ways and their doingsways and their doings. Then you will be . Then you will be comforted concerning the disastercomforted concerning the disaster that I that I have brought upon Jerusalem, all that I have have brought upon Jerusalem, all that I have brought upon it. brought upon it.



23 "And they will comfort you, 23 "And they will comfort you, when you when you see their ways and their doingssee their ways and their doings; and you ; and you shall know that shall know that I have done nothing without I have done nothing without causecause that I have done in it," says the that I have done in it," says the LORD GOD.LORD GOD.



Israel’s apostasy and the wrath of God serve Israel’s apostasy and the wrath of God serve to remind Christians today of how to have a to remind Christians today of how to have a relationship with God. relationship with God. (1 Cor 10:11)(1 Cor 10:11)



1 Corinthians 10:111 Corinthians 10:11 – – Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.



Whatever doctrinal system men come up Whatever doctrinal system men come up with that provides “security” and “peace” with that provides “security” and “peace” that does not produce a teachable, reverent that does not produce a teachable, reverent people that obey God, is in vain. people that obey God, is in vain. (Jer 6:13-14)(Jer 6:13-14)



Jeremiah 6:13-14Jeremiah 6:13-14 - "Because from - "Because from the least the least of themof them even even to the greatest of themto the greatest of them, , Everyone Everyone is is given to covetousnessgiven to covetousness; And ; And from the prophet even to the priest, from the prophet even to the priest, Everyone deals falselyEveryone deals falsely. 14 They have also . 14 They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, healed the hurt of My people slightly, Saying, 'Peace, peaceSaying, 'Peace, peace!' !' When When there is there is no no peace.peace.



God’s people will always have certain God’s people will always have certain characteristics. Do you know them?characteristics. Do you know them?

God wants a people for HimGod wants a people for HimGod wants a people for HimGod wants a people for Him

God wants a relationship with a people that God wants a relationship with a people that He likens to a marriage relationship.He likens to a marriage relationship.



God will not share! In that He is a jealous God will not share! In that He is a jealous God. God.



God will not share! In that He is a jealous God will not share! In that He is a jealous God. God.

The coming wrath was designed to teach The coming wrath was designed to teach Israel that very point. Israel that very point. (Ezk 39:25-26)(Ezk 39:25-26)


Ezekiel 39:25-26Ezekiel 39:25-26 - - " Therefore thus says the " Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: 'Now I will bring back the Lord GOD: 'Now I will bring back the captives of Jacob, and have mercy on the captives of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for I will be jealous for My holy nameMy holy name -- 26 'after they have borne -- 26 'after they have borne their shame, and their shame, and all their unfaithfulness in all their unfaithfulness in which they were unfaithful to Mewhich they were unfaithful to Me, when they , when they dwelt safely in their dwelt safely in their own own land and no one land and no one made made them them afraid.afraid.


God’s purpose with His people is a tender God’s purpose with His people is a tender and beautiful one. and beautiful one. (Ezk 16:1-14)(Ezk 16:1-14)


Ezekiel 16:1-14Ezekiel 16:1-14 - Again the word of the - Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2 "Son of man, LORD came to me, saying, 2 "Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominationscause Jerusalem to know her abominations, , 3 "and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD to 3 "and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD to Jerusalem: "Your birth and your nativity Jerusalem: "Your birth and your nativity are are from the land of Canaan; your from the land of Canaan; your father father was was an Amoritean Amorite and and your mother a Hittiteyour mother a Hittite. .


4 "4 "As for As for your nativity, on the day you were your nativity, on the day you were born your navel cord was not cut, nor were you born your navel cord was not cut, nor were you washed in water to cleanse washed in water to cleanse you; you; you were not you were not rubbed with salt nor wrapped in swaddling rubbed with salt nor wrapped in swaddling cloths. 5 "cloths. 5 "No eye pitied youNo eye pitied you, to do any of these , to do any of these things for you, things for you, to have compassion on youto have compassion on you; but ; but you were thrown out into the open fieldyou were thrown out into the open field, when , when you yourself were loathed on the day you were you yourself were loathed on the day you were bornborn. .


6 " And when I passed by you and 6 " And when I passed by you and saw you saw you struggling in your own bloodstruggling in your own blood, I said to you , I said to you in your blood, 'Live!' Yes, I said to you in in your blood, 'Live!' Yes, I said to you in your blood, 'Live!' 7 "your blood, 'Live!' 7 "I made you thrive I made you thrive like a plant in the fieldlike a plant in the field; and you grew, ; and you grew, matured, and matured, and became very beautifulbecame very beautiful. . Your Your breasts were formed, your hair grew, but breasts were formed, your hair grew, but you you were were naked and bare. naked and bare.


8 "When I passed by you again and looked 8 "When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time upon you, indeed your time was was the time of the time of love; so love; so I spread My wing over you and I spread My wing over you and covered your nakednesscovered your nakedness. Yes, . Yes, I swore an oath I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mineand you became Mine," says the Lord GOD. 9 ," says the Lord GOD. 9 ""Then I washed you in water; yes, I thoroughly Then I washed you in water; yes, I thoroughly washed off your blood, and I anointed you washed off your blood, and I anointed you with oilwith oil. .


10 "I clothed you in embroidered cloth and 10 "I clothed you in embroidered cloth and gave you sandals of badger skin; I gave you sandals of badger skin; I clothed clothed you with fine linen and covered you with you with fine linen and covered you with silksilk. 11 "I . 11 "I adorned you with ornamentsadorned you with ornaments, put , put bracelets on your wrists, and a chain on bracelets on your wrists, and a chain on your neck. 12 "And your neck. 12 "And I put a jewel in your I put a jewel in your nose, earrings in your ears, and a beautiful nose, earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your headcrown on your head. .


13 "Thus you were adorned with gold and 13 "Thus you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing silver, and your clothing was of was of fine linen, silk, fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth. You ate and embroidered cloth. You ate pastry of pastry of fine fine flour, honey, and oil. flour, honey, and oil. You were exceedingly You were exceedingly beautiful, and succeeded to royaltybeautiful, and succeeded to royalty. 14 ". 14 "Your Your fame went out among the nationsfame went out among the nations because of because of your beauty, for your beauty, for it it was was perfect through My perfect through My splendor which I had bestowed on yousplendor which I had bestowed on you," says ," says the Lord GOD.the Lord GOD.


Because of the blessings of God, Israel Because of the blessings of God, Israel became proud and committed adultery became proud and committed adultery with other gods. with other gods. (Ezk 16:15-24)(Ezk 16:15-24)


Ezekiel 16:15-24Ezekiel 16:15-24 - " But - " But you trusted in you trusted in your own beautyyour own beauty, , played the harlotplayed the harlot because because of your fame, and of your fame, and poured out your harlotry poured out your harlotry on everyone passing by who on everyone passing by who would have would have itit. . 16 "You took some of your 16 "You took some of your garmentsgarments and and adorned multicolored high placesadorned multicolored high places for for yourself, and played the harlot on them. yourself, and played the harlot on them. Such Such things should not happen, nor bethings should not happen, nor be. .


17 "You have also taken your 17 "You have also taken your beautiful beautiful jewelryjewelry from My gold and My silver, which from My gold and My silver, which I had given youI had given you, and , and made for yourself male made for yourself male images and played the harlot with themimages and played the harlot with them. 18 . 18 "You took your "You took your embroidered garmentsembroidered garments and and covered them, and you covered them, and you set My oil and My set My oil and My incense before themincense before them. .


19 "Also 19 "Also My food which I gave youMy food which I gave you -- the -- the pastry of fine flour, oil, and honey pastry of fine flour, oil, and honey which which I I fed you -- you fed you -- you set it before them as sweet set it before them as sweet incenseincense; and ; and so so it was," says the Lord GOD. it was," says the Lord GOD. 20 "Moreover 20 "Moreover you took your sons and your you took your sons and your daughtersdaughters, whom you bore to Me, and , whom you bore to Me, and these these you sacrificed to them to be devouredyou sacrificed to them to be devoured. . Were Were your your acts acts of harlotry a small matter, of harlotry a small matter,


21 "that you have slain My children and 21 "that you have slain My children and offered them up to them by causing them to offered them up to them by causing them to pass through pass through the fire?the fire? 22 "And in all your 22 "And in all your abominations and acts of harlotry abominations and acts of harlotry you did not you did not remember the days of your youthremember the days of your youth, when you , when you were naked and bare, struggling in your blood. were naked and bare, struggling in your blood. 23 " Then it was so, after all your wickedness 23 " Then it was so, after all your wickedness -- -- 'Woe, woe to you'Woe, woe to you!' says the Lord GOD -- !' says the Lord GOD --


24 "24 "that that you also built for yourself a shrine, you also built for yourself a shrine, and made a high place for yourself in every and made a high place for yourself in every street.street.


How many of you would be willing to How many of you would be willing to occasionally “share” your mate with occasionally “share” your mate with another?another?


God has always wanted all of our hearts! God has always wanted all of our hearts! (Jer 3:10; 4:14)(Jer 3:10; 4:14)


Jeremiah 3:10Jeremiah 3:10 - "And yet for all this her - "And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with Me with her whole hearther whole heart, , but in pretensebut in pretense," ," says the LORD.says the LORD.


Jeremiah 4:14Jeremiah 4:14 - O Jerusalem, - O Jerusalem, wash your wash your heart from wickednessheart from wickedness, That you may be , That you may be saved. saved. How long shall your evil thoughts How long shall your evil thoughts lodge within youlodge within you??


What did the “non-traditional” service to What did the “non-traditional” service to idols involve? How might the Israelites idols involve? How might the Israelites

have framed this new enlighten have framed this new enlighten approach to God?approach to God?


God called it adultery. God called it adultery. (Jer 3:8-9; 5:7; 7:9-10)(Jer 3:8-9; 5:7; 7:9-10)


Jeremiah 3:8-9Jeremiah 3:8-9 - "Then I saw that for all the - "Then I saw that for all the causes for which causes for which backsliding Israel had backsliding Israel had committed adulterycommitted adultery, , I had put her awayI had put her away and and given her a certificate of divorce; yet given her a certificate of divorce; yet her her treacherous sister Judah did not feartreacherous sister Judah did not fear, but went , but went and and played the harlot alsoplayed the harlot also. 9 "So it came to . 9 "So it came to pass, pass, through her casual harlotrythrough her casual harlotry, that she , that she defiled the land and committed adultery with defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees.stones and trees.


Jeremiah 5:7Jeremiah 5:7 - " How shall I pardon you - " How shall I pardon you for this? Your children have forsaken Me for this? Your children have forsaken Me And sworn by And sworn by those that are those that are not gods. not gods. When I had fed them to the full, When I had fed them to the full, Then they Then they committed adulterycommitted adultery And assembled And assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' housesthemselves by troops in the harlots' houses..


Jeremiah 7:9-10Jeremiah 7:9-10 - "Will you - "Will you steal, murder, steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and walk after other godsincense to Baal, and walk after other gods whom you do not know, 10 "and whom you do not know, 10 "and then then come come and stand before Me in this houseand stand before Me in this house which is which is called by My name, and say, called by My name, and say, 'We are 'We are delivered to do all these abominationsdelivered to do all these abominations'?'?


We serve a God that wants a personal We serve a God that wants a personal relationship with us! Think about this.relationship with us! Think about this.


This relationship (fellowship) with God is This relationship (fellowship) with God is personal. personal.


This relationship (fellowship) with God is This relationship (fellowship) with God is personal. personal.

Israel thought that their nationality or the Israel thought that their nationality or the location of the temple would save them.location of the temple would save them.


God pointed out to them that each God pointed out to them that each individual would stand by faith. individual would stand by faith. (Ezk 14:14-16, 20)(Ezk 14:14-16, 20)


Ezekiel 14:14-16Ezekiel 14:14-16 - "Even - "Even if if these three these three men, men, Noah, Daniel, and JobNoah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, , were in it, they they would deliver would deliver only only themselvesthemselves by their by their righteousness," says the Lord GOD. 15 " If righteousness," says the Lord GOD. 15 " If I cause wild beasts to pass through the land, I cause wild beasts to pass through the land, and they empty it, and make it so desolate and they empty it, and make it so desolate that no man may pass through because of that no man may pass through because of the beasts, the beasts,


16 "even 16 "even though though these three men these three men were were in itin it, , as as I live," says the Lord GOD, "I live," says the Lord GOD, "they would they would deliver neither sons nor daughters; only deliver neither sons nor daughters; only they would be deliveredthey would be delivered, and the land , and the land would be desolate.would be desolate.


Ezekiel 14:20Ezekiel 14:20 - "even - "even though though Noah, Daniel, Noah, Daniel, and Job and Job were were in itin it, , as as I live," says the Lord I live," says the Lord GOD, "GOD, "they would deliver neither son nor they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver daughter; they would deliver only only themselves by their righteousnessthemselves by their righteousness.”.”


This is the very point of the book of This is the very point of the book of Habakkuk. Habakkuk. (Hab 2:3-4)(Hab 2:3-4)


Habakkuk 2:3-4Habakkuk 2:3-4 - For the vision - For the vision is is yet for yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. 4 " Behold the proud, His will not tarry. 4 " Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But soul is not upright in him; But the just shall the just shall live by his faithlive by his faith..

God wants His people to be separate from God wants His people to be separate from the worldthe world


God will have a people!God will have a people!



God will have a people!God will have a people! He was about to purge most of Israel but in He was about to purge most of Israel but in

the end there was a “remnant.” the end there was a “remnant.” (Jer 31:1-9)(Jer 31:1-9)



Jeremiah 31:1-9Jeremiah 31:1-9 - "At the same time," says the - "At the same time," says the LORD, "I will be the God of all the families of LORD, "I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be My people." 2 Thus Israel, and they shall be My people." 2 Thus says the LORD: "says the LORD: "The people who survived the The people who survived the sword Found grace in the wildernesssword Found grace in the wilderness -- Israel, -- Israel, when I went to give him rest." 3 The LORD has when I went to give him rest." 3 The LORD has appeared of old to me, appeared of old to me, saying: saying: "Yes, I have "Yes, I have loved you with loved you with an everlasting lovean everlasting love; ; Therefore Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn youwith lovingkindness I have drawn you..



4 Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, 4 Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin of IsraelO virgin of Israel! You shall again be adorned ! You shall again be adorned with your tambourines, And shall go forth in the with your tambourines, And shall go forth in the dances of those who rejoice. 5 You shall yet dances of those who rejoice. 5 You shall yet plant vines on the mountains of Samaria; The plant vines on the mountains of Samaria; The planters shall plant and eat planters shall plant and eat them them as ordinary food. as ordinary food. 6 For there shall be a day 6 For there shall be a day When When the watchmen the watchmen will cry on Mount Ephraim, 'Arise, and let us go will cry on Mount Ephraim, 'Arise, and let us go up up to to Zion, To the LORD our God.' "Zion, To the LORD our God.' "



7 For thus says the LORD: "Sing with gladness 7 For thus says the LORD: "Sing with gladness for Jacob, And shout among the chief of the for Jacob, And shout among the chief of the nations; Proclaim, give praise, and say, 'O LORD, nations; Proclaim, give praise, and say, 'O LORD, save Your people, save Your people, The remnant of IsraelThe remnant of Israel!' 8 !' 8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country, Behold, I will bring them from the north country, And gather them from the ends of the earth, And gather them from the ends of the earth, Among Among them the blind and the lame, The woman them the blind and the lame, The woman with child And the one who labors with child, with child And the one who labors with child, together; A great throng shall return there. together; A great throng shall return there.



9 9 They shall come with weepingThey shall come with weeping, And , And with with supplicationssupplications I will lead them. I will cause I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, In a them to walk by the rivers of waters, In a straight way in which they shall not straight way in which they shall not stumble; For I am a Father to Israel, And stumble; For I am a Father to Israel, And Ephraim Ephraim is is My firstborn.My firstborn.



They would be drawn by the They would be drawn by the “lovingkindness” of God. “lovingkindness” of God. (V3)(V3)



They would be drawn by the They would be drawn by the “lovingkindness” of God. “lovingkindness” of God. (V3)(V3)

This remnant would take the issue of sin This remnant would take the issue of sin seriously. seriously. (Ezk 6:5-10)(Ezk 6:5-10)



Ezekiel 6:5-10Ezekiel 6:5-10 - "And - "And I will lay the corpses I will lay the corpses of the children of Israel before their idolsof the children of Israel before their idols, and I , and I will scatter your bones all around your altars. will scatter your bones all around your altars. 6 "In all your dwelling places the cities shall be 6 "In all your dwelling places the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate, so that your altars may be laid waste desolate, so that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, your idols may be broken and made desolate, your idols may be broken and made to cease, your incense altars may be and made to cease, your incense altars may be cut down, and your works may be abolished. cut down, and your works may be abolished.



7 "The slain shall fall in your midst, and 7 "The slain shall fall in your midst, and you shall know that I you shall know that I am am the LORDthe LORD. 8 " . 8 " Yet Yet I will leave a remnantI will leave a remnant, so that you may , so that you may have have some some who escape the sword among the who escape the sword among the nations, when you are scattered through the nations, when you are scattered through the countries. countries.



9 "Then 9 "Then those of you who escape will those of you who escape will remember Me among the nationsremember Me among the nations where where they are carried captive, because they are carried captive, because I was I was crushed by their adulterous heartcrushed by their adulterous heart which has which has departed from Me, and by departed from Me, and by their eyes which their eyes which play the harlot after their idolsplay the harlot after their idols; ; they will they will loathe themselves for the evils which they loathe themselves for the evils which they committed in all their abominationscommitted in all their abominations. .



10 "And they shall know that I 10 "And they shall know that I am am the the LORD; LORD; I have not said in vainI have not said in vain that I would that I would bring this calamity upon them.”bring this calamity upon them.”



If one could only see the wrath of God then If one could only see the wrath of God then the true grace of God would be seen! the true grace of God would be seen! (Rom 11:22)(Rom 11:22)



Romans 11:22Romans 11:22 - Therefore consider - Therefore consider the the goodness and severity of Godgoodness and severity of God: on : on those who those who fell, severityfell, severity; but ; but toward you, goodnesstoward you, goodness, , if if you continue in you continue in His His goodnessgoodness. Otherwise . Otherwise you also will be cut off.you also will be cut off.



Those who laugh at you as a “legalist” Those who laugh at you as a “legalist” when you simply question a practice are when you simply question a practice are not the people of God.not the people of God.



Because God was preparing the whole Because God was preparing the whole world to hear an invitation to become His world to hear an invitation to become His people, He made this purging if Israel people, He made this purging if Israel very public. very public. (Jer 31:10-14)(Jer 31:10-14)



Jeremiah 31:10-14Jeremiah 31:10-14 - " Hear the word of - " Hear the word of the LORD, the LORD, O nationsO nations, And , And declare declare it it in the in the isles afar offisles afar off, and say, , and say, 'He who scattered 'He who scattered Israel will gather himIsrael will gather him, And , And keep him as a keep him as a shepherd shepherd does does his flockhis flock.' 11 For .' 11 For the LORD the LORD has redeemed Jacobhas redeemed Jacob, And ransomed him , And ransomed him from the hand of one stronger than he. from the hand of one stronger than he.



12 Therefore they shall come and sing in 12 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, Streaming to the the height of Zion, Streaming to the goodness of the LORD -- For wheat and goodness of the LORD -- For wheat and new wine and oil, For the young of the new wine and oil, For the young of the flock and the herd; Their souls shall be like flock and the herd; Their souls shall be like a well-watered garden, And they shall a well-watered garden, And they shall sorrow no more at all. sorrow no more at all.



13 "Then shall the virgin rejoice in the 13 "Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, And the young men and the old, dance, And the young men and the old, together; together; For I will turn their mourning to For I will turn their mourning to joy, Will comfort themjoy, Will comfort them, And make them , And make them rejoice rather than sorrow. 14 rejoice rather than sorrow. 14 I will satiate I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundancethe soul of the priests with abundance



Note that Israel would be humbled and Note that Israel would be humbled and pure. pure.



God’s act of wrath was a merciful lesson to God’s act of wrath was a merciful lesson to the whole world that there is only one the whole world that there is only one way to have a relationship with Him. How way to have a relationship with Him. How often do men forget this!often do men forget this!



The leadership of Israel had first The leadership of Israel had first compromised on fellowship. compromised on fellowship. (Jer 23:14-17; 7:9-10)(Jer 23:14-17; 7:9-10)



Jeremiah 23:14-17Jeremiah 23:14-17 - Also - Also I have seen a I have seen a horrible thing in the prophets of Jerusalemhorrible thing in the prophets of Jerusalem: : They They commit adultery and walk in liescommit adultery and walk in lies; ; They also They also strengthen the hands of evildoersstrengthen the hands of evildoers, , So that no one turns back from his So that no one turns back from his wickednesswickedness. . All of them are like SodomAll of them are like Sodom to to Me, And her Me, And her inhabitants like Gomorrah. .



15 "Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts 15 "Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: 'Behold, I will concerning the prophets: 'Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, And make them feed them with wormwood, And make them drink the water of gall; For drink the water of gall; For from the from the prophets of Jerusalem Profaneness has gone prophets of Jerusalem Profaneness has gone out into all the landout into all the land.' " .' "



16 Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Do not listen 16 Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. you. They make you worthlessThey make you worthless; ; They speak a They speak a vision of their own heartvision of their own heart, Not from the mouth of , Not from the mouth of the LORD. 17 They continually the LORD. 17 They continually say to those say to those who despise Mewho despise Me, 'The LORD has said, ", 'The LORD has said, "You You shall have peaceshall have peace" '; And " '; And to to everyone who walks everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heartaccording to the dictates of his own heart, they , they say, say, 'No evil shall come upon you'No evil shall come upon you.' “.' “



Jeremiah 7:9-10Jeremiah 7:9-10 - "Will you - "Will you steal, steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and walk after other burn incense to Baal, and walk after other godsgods whom you do not know, 10 "and whom you do not know, 10 "and then then come and stand before Me in this housecome and stand before Me in this house which is called by My name, and say, which is called by My name, and say, 'We 'We are delivered to do all these abominationsare delivered to do all these abominations'?'?



We must have an integrity that demands an We must have an integrity that demands an accurate teaching of God’s word.accurate teaching of God’s word.



Over and over in history men have arisen Over and over in history men have arisen who ridicule sound doctrine and under who ridicule sound doctrine and under the false banner of being “grace-centered” the false banner of being “grace-centered” try to comfort people in their desires.try to comfort people in their desires.



Look at how they were able to widen their Look at how they were able to widen their “circle of fellowship” without any of “circle of fellowship” without any of the “traditional rebukes.” People who the “traditional rebukes.” People who “despise” God can now be accepted.“despise” God can now be accepted.



““They continually say to those who despise They continually say to those who despise Me, 'The LORD has said, "You shall Me, 'The LORD has said, "You shall have peace" '; And have peace" '; And to to everyone who walks everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own according to the dictates of his own heart, they say, 'No evil shall come upon heart, they say, 'No evil shall come upon you.'” you.'” (Jeremiah 23:17) (Jeremiah 23:17)



Be honest, do you really want to follow a Be honest, do you really want to follow a teacher that is “interesting” but has not teacher that is “interesting” but has not accurately represented God’s word? accurately represented God’s word? (Jer 23:18-32; Rev 22:18-19)(Jer 23:18-32; Rev 22:18-19)



Jeremiah 23:18-32Jeremiah 23:18-32 - For who has - For who has stood in stood in the counsel of the LORDthe counsel of the LORD, , And has And has perceived and heard His wordperceived and heard His word? ? Who has Who has marked His word and heard marked His word and heard itit?? 19 Behold, 19 Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD has gone forth in a whirlwind of the LORD has gone forth in fury -- A violent whirlwind! It will fall fury -- A violent whirlwind! It will fall violently on the head of the wicked. violently on the head of the wicked.



20 20 The anger of the LORD will not turn backThe anger of the LORD will not turn back Until He has executed and performed the thoughts Until He has executed and performed the thoughts of His heart. of His heart. In the latter days you will understand In the latter days you will understand it perfectlyit perfectly. 21 " . 21 " I have not sent these prophetsI have not sent these prophets, , yet they ran. yet they ran. I have not spoken to themI have not spoken to them, yet they , yet they prophesied. 22 But prophesied. 22 But if they had stood in My if they had stood in My counselcounsel, And had , And had caused My people to hear My caused My people to hear My wordswords, Then , Then they would have turned them from they would have turned them from their evil waytheir evil way And from the evil of their doings. And from the evil of their doings.



23 " 23 " Am Am I a God near at handI a God near at hand," says the ," says the LORD, "And not a God afar off? 24 LORD, "And not a God afar off? 24 Can Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see himshall not see him?" says the LORD; "Do I ?" says the LORD; "Do I not fill heaven and earth?" says the LORD. not fill heaven and earth?" says the LORD. 25 "I have heard what the prophets have 25 "I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in My name, saying, said who prophesy lies in My name, saying, 'I have dreamed, I have dreamed'I have dreamed, I have dreamed!' !'



26 "How long will 26 "How long will this this be in the heart of the be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies? Indeed prophets who prophesy lies? Indeed they they are are prophets of the deceit of their own prophets of the deceit of their own heartheart, 27 "who try to make My people , 27 "who try to make My people forget My name by their dreams which forget My name by their dreams which everyone tells his neighbor, as their fathers everyone tells his neighbor, as their fathers forgot My name for Baal. forgot My name for Baal.



28 "The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a 28 "The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; And dream; And he who has My word, let him he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfullyspeak My word faithfully. What . What is is the chaff to the chaff to the wheat?" says the LORD. 29 "the wheat?" says the LORD. 29 "Is Is not My not My word like a fire?" says the LORD, "And like a word like a fire?" says the LORD, "And like a hammer hammer that that breaks the rock in pieces? 30 " breaks the rock in pieces? 30 " Therefore behold, Therefore behold, I I am am against the prophetsagainst the prophets," ," says the LORD, "says the LORD, "who steal My words every who steal My words every one from his neighborone from his neighbor. .



31 "Behold, I 31 "Behold, I am am against the prophets," says against the prophets," says the LORD, "who use their tongues and say, the LORD, "who use their tongues and say, 'He says.' 32 "Behold, I 'He says.' 32 "Behold, I am am against those who against those who prophesy false dreams," says the LORD, "and prophesy false dreams," says the LORD, "and tell them, and tell them, and cause My people to err by their cause My people to err by their lies and by their recklessnesslies and by their recklessness. Yet I did not . Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all," says the shall not profit this people at all," says the LORD.LORD.



Revelation 22:18-19Revelation 22:18-19 - For I testify to - For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If of this book: If anyone adds to these thingsanyone adds to these things, , God will God will add to him the plagues that are add to him the plagues that are written in this bookwritten in this book; 19 and if ; 19 and if anyone takes anyone takes away from the wordsaway from the words of the book of this of the book of this prophecy, God prophecy, God shall take away his part from shall take away his part from the Book of Lifethe Book of Life, from the holy city, and , from the holy city, and from from the things which are written in this book.the things which are written in this book.

The people of God under the New Covenant The people of God under the New Covenant are clearly identifiedare clearly identified


God’s people would have a spiritual birth to God’s people would have a spiritual birth to become His people. become His people. (Jer 31:31-34)(Jer 31:31-34)



Jeremiah 31:31-34Jeremiah 31:31-34 - " Behold, the days are - " Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make coming, says the LORD, when I will make a a new covenantnew covenant with the house of Israel and with with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah -- 32 "the house of Judah -- 32 "not according to the not according to the covenant that I made with their fatherscovenant that I made with their fathers in the in the day day that that I took them by the hand to lead them I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, they broke, though I was a husband to themthough I was a husband to them, , says the LORD. says the LORD.



33 "But this 33 "But this is is the covenant that I will make the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: says the LORD: I will put My law in their I will put My law in their mindsminds, and , and write it on their heartswrite it on their hearts; and I ; and I will be their God, and they shall be My will be their God, and they shall be My people. people.



34 "34 "No more shall every man teach his No more shall every man teach his neighborneighbor, and every man his brother, , and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they all shall they all shall know Meknow Me, from the least of them to the , from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will For I will forgive their iniquityforgive their iniquity, and , and their sin I will their sin I will remember no moreremember no more.“.“



Only those who would know God would be Only those who would know God would be His people. His people. (Jn 3:3-5)(Jn 3:3-5)



John 3:3-5John 3:3-5 - Jesus answered and said to him, - Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is unless one is born againborn again, he cannot see the kingdom of , he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a God." 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, say to you, unless one is born of water and the unless one is born of water and the SpiritSpirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God., he cannot enter the kingdom of God.



One of the greatest mistakes a local church One of the greatest mistakes a local church can make is to extend fellowship to can make is to extend fellowship to those who are not converted!those who are not converted!



One of the greatest mistakes a local church One of the greatest mistakes a local church can make is to extend fellowship to can make is to extend fellowship to those who are not converted!those who are not converted!

God has always used the word “covenant” God has always used the word “covenant” to describe His relationship with His to describe His relationship with His people.people.



diatheke - 1) a disposition, arrangement, of diatheke - 1) a disposition, arrangement, of any sort, which one wishes to be valid, the any sort, which one wishes to be valid, the last disposition which one makes of his last disposition which one makes of his earthly possessions after his death, a earthly possessions after his death, a testament or will 2) a compact, a covenant, testament or will 2) a compact, a covenant, a testament 2a) God's covenant with a testament 2a) God's covenant with Noah, etc. Noah, etc.



Why was a covenant so significant to Why was a covenant so significant to Noah? Noah? (Gen 6:18)(Gen 6:18)



Genesis 6:18Genesis 6:18 - "But I will establish My - "But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark -- you, your sons, your wife, and the ark -- you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you.your sons' wives with you.



Again, God’s defining our relationship to Again, God’s defining our relationship to Him is not just a set of rules. What a Him is not just a set of rules. What a privilege to have such an opportunity. privilege to have such an opportunity. (Jer 23:1-4)(Jer 23:1-4)



Jeremiah 23:1-4Jeremiah 23:1-4 - - "Woe to the shepherds "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!" says the LORD. 2 Therefore thus pasture!" says the LORD. 2 Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel against the says the LORD God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: "You have shepherds who feed My people: "You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings," says the LORD. for the evil of your doings," says the LORD.



3 "But 3 "But I will gather the remnant of My flockI will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven out of all countries where I have driven them, and them, and bring them back to their folds; bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increaseand they shall be fruitful and increase. 4 ". 4 "I I will set up shepherds over them who will will set up shepherds over them who will feed themfeed them; and ; and they shall fear no morethey shall fear no more, nor , nor be dismayed, be dismayed, nor shall they be lackingnor shall they be lacking," ," says the LORD.says the LORD.



Questions to Consider:Questions to Consider:



Questions to Consider:Questions to Consider: 1. Why was it necessary for such a terrible 1. Why was it necessary for such a terrible

judgment to come upon Israel?judgment to come upon Israel?




judgment to come upon Israel?judgment to come upon Israel? 2. What lessons can we draw from how God 2. What lessons can we draw from how God

describes His relationship with His people?describes His relationship with His people?




judgment to come upon Israel?judgment to come upon Israel? 2. What lessons can we draw from how God 2. What lessons can we draw from how God

describes His relationship with His people?describes His relationship with His people? 3. In what condition was Israel before they 3. In what condition was Israel before they

became the people of God? became the people of God?



4. What are the fruits of extending 4. What are the fruits of extending fellowship beyond what God does?fellowship beyond what God does?



4. What are the fruits of extending 4. What are the fruits of extending fellowship beyond what God does?fellowship beyond what God does?

5. What do we learn about the New 5. What do we learn about the New Covenant from Jeremiah? Covenant from Jeremiah?

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