Deuteronomy 24:1-4 says that a man may divorce his wife if she finds no favor in his eyes or if he has found some uncleanness in her. But after she has departed, and becomes another man’s wife, if that second husband “detests her” and divorces her or if he dies, the first husband must “not take her back to be his wife.” “That is an abomination before the Lord.”
The Jerusalemites were all over the map with their beliefs about God. He compared their worship of other gods, to being a “harlot with many lovers.”
Deuteronomy 22:21 demands that harlots be executed. “They shall bring out the young woman to the doorway of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her to death because she has committed an act of folly in Israel by playing the harlot in her father’s house; thus you shall purge the evil from among you.”
Herein is the Gospel: “You have played the harlot with many lovers; yet return to Me, says the Lord.” Amazingly, God is offering to take Judah back if she will return to Him.
In John 8:3-6, “The scribes and Pharisees brought to Jesus a woman caught in adultery. They said, ‘Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?’ They wanted to accuse Him. At first, Jesus wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.”
“So, when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, ‘He who is without sin among you let him throw a stone at her first.’” THEY ALL LEFT. Their consciences convicted them. Jesus did not condemn her but told her to go and sin no more.
God graciously offers to us an uncommon opportunity for a renewed relationship with Him. “Though you have been unfaithful, return to Me.”
In Matthew 21:31-32, Jesus told the cerebral oriented legalists, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.”
The Gospel in the Book of Jeremiah is, “You have played the harlot with many lovers; yet return to Me, says the Lord.” He welcome prodigals back who want to return to Him.
“Lift up your eyes to the desolate heights and see: where have you not lain with men? By the road you have sat for them like an Arabian in the wilderness; and you have polluted the land with your harlotries and your wickedness. Therefore the showers have been withheld, and there has been no latter rain. You have had a harlot’s forehead; you refuse to be ashamed.” Jeremiah 3:2-3
The pollution God speaks of in this verse is not a reference to greenhouse gases. Not about ozone levels! Not about industrial waste or plastic bottles floating in the ocean! It is about pollution caused by people believing lies and behaving sinfully.
Hosea 1:2 says, “The earth is also polluted by its inhabitants, for they transgressed laws, violated statutes, broke the everlasting covenant.”
If we don’t highly value our relationship with God and teach our children to do the same, there is a high probability that our nation will decline, and become spiritually polluted.
Proverbs 23:13-14 advises parents, “Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod and deliver his soul from hell.” Some are strongly opposed to spanking children, but God says that a strong correction saves a child’s soul from death. God applies a lesser pain to save people from a greater pain, namely hell.
Psalm 51:5 says, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” Romans 9:29 says, “Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a Seed, we would have become like Sodom, and we would have been made like Gomorrah.”
Christ within us is the Seed we need for victory over sin. In Genesis 3:15, God said the Seed of the woman [Jesus] would bruise the serpent’s [Satan’s] head. The serpent deceived Adam and Eve to sin. Sin causes people to behave like Sodomites.
Sin is comparable to snake venom. It has spread throughout the entire human race. Romans 5:12 says, “Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.”
Satan’s thoughts and words are like viper’s venom. We absolutely need a cure lest we perish.
Antivenin is the cure for poisonous snake bites. Antivenin is made from sheep blood. When a sheep is bitten by a viper, its blood releases powerful antibodies that neutralize the venom. A sheep’s antibodies can also be injected into a human to cure them.
The blood of lamb was used to shield people from the destroyer in the days of Moses. Exodus 12:23 says, “The Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you.”
In Genesis 3:17-18, when Adam and Eve sinned, it negatively impacted creation. When the Egyptians hardened their hearts against God, plagues ensued. When the Jerusalemites ignored God’s Word via Jeremiah, their city eventually experienced starvation, disease and death. In Revelation 16:8-9, “...Men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which has power over these plagues: and they repented not to give Him glory.”
One of the most ecologically friendly deeds a sinner can do is repent and believe that Jesus Christ took the curse of sin upon Himself on the cross, so God’s blessings could be restored.
Romans 8:19 says, “The earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of sons of God. Romans 8:22 says, “For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.”
Proverbs 23:26-28 urges us to focus on God to avoid the pitfalls of sin: “My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways. For a harlot is a deep pit, and a seductress is a narrow well. She also lies in wait as for a victim and increases the unfaithful among men.”
Sin damages creation. The solution to cleaning up the sin in the environment is a mass turning of sinners to Christ for forgiveness and renewal. Faith in Jesus Christ is the solution to pollution. One day He shall return and make all creation anew.
“Will you not from this time cry to Me, ‘My Father, You are the guide of my youth?” Jeremiah 3:4
C.S. Lewis wrote, “Pride is the mother hen under which all other sins are hatched.” The people of Judah needed to humble themselves before the Lord.
God urged them to cry out to Him as to a Father. In Psalm 71:5, David wrote, “O Lord God, You are my confidence from my youth. O God, You have taught me from my youth.”
In Matthew 6:9, Jesus taught us to pray, saying, “In this manner, therefore, pray: ‘Our Father in heaven.’” This was not a new concept of God. In Deuteronomy 32:6, Moses asked Israel, “Is He not your Father, who bought you? Has He not made you and established you?”
“Will He remain angry forever? Will He keep it to the end? Behold, you have spoken and done evil things, as you were able.” Jeremiah 3:5
In Psalm 103:9, David wrote, “The Lord will keep not His anger forever.” Psalm 103:14 says that “He remembers that we are dust.”
“Then the Lord said to me in the days of Josiah the king, ‘Have you seen what faithless Israel did?” Jeremiah 3:6a
According to Jeremiah 25:3, the Lord began speaking to Jeremiah 13 years into the reign of King Josiah, so by this time, God has been speaking to Judah through Jeremiah for 22 years.
“She went up on every high hill and under every green tree, and she was a harlot there. I thought, after she has done all these things she will return to Me; but she did not return, and her treacherous sister Judah saw it.’ Then I saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear but went and played the harlot also.” Jeremiah 3:6b-8
The people of the northern tribes of Israel were removed from their homeland almost 100 years prior to the removal of the people of the southern tribes. Judah saw what happened to them, but did not repent of idol worship.
“So it came to pass, through her casual harlotry, that she defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees. And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense, says the Lord.” Jeremiah 3:9-10
If we fake our turning back to God, we only fake ourselves not God. He knows our heart. In Jeremiah 29:13, the Lord says, “You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”
“Then the Lord said to me, backsliding Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah. Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say: ‘Return, backsliding Israel,’ says the Lord; ‘I will not cause My anger to fall on you. For I am merciful,’ says the Lord; ‘I will not remain angry forever. Only acknowledge your iniquity, that you have transgressed against the Lord your God, and have scattered your charms to alien deities under every green tree, and you have not obeyed My voice,’ says the Lord.” Jeremiah 3:11-13
In Revelation 3:19, Jesus gave a similar word to the Christians in Laodicea, saying, “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be earnest and repent.” William Barclay wrote, “Jesus’ great love was expressed in His rebuke. It is in fact, God’s final punishment to leave a person alone.”
Proverbs 28:13 says, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”
Acts 3:26 says, “God, raised up His Servant Jesus. He sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”
God’s bride needed prodding. He urged her, “Return, O backsliding children, says the Lord; for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.” Jeremiah 3:14
Despite their unfaithfulness to Him, the Lord proclaims that He is still married to them. He promises to bring their representatives from among them back to Jerusalem.
“And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15
Good shepherds lead people to Christ and not to superstitions such as trusting in a lucky charm or a rabbit’s foot. Think of it! The rabbit didn’t escape being killed, and you’re trusting in its foot.
In Acts 20:32, Paul wrote to church leaders, “I commit you to God and to the Word of His grace, which can build you up…”In 1 Peter 5:2-3, Peter wrote to church leaders, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be, not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve, not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
“Then it shall come to pass, when you are multiplied and increased in the land in those days, says the Lord, that they will say no more, ‘The ark of the covenant of the Lord.’ It shall not come to mind, nor shall they remember it, nor shall they visit it, nor shall it be made anymore.” Jeremiah 3:16
Our Heavenly Father did bring it to pass. No longer do we look to a human priest standing before a metal box called the Ark of the Covenant to beseech God’s forgiveness for our sins.
Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
“At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the Lord, and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the Name of the Lord, to Jerusalem. No more shall they follow the dictates of their evil hearts.” Jeremiah 3:17
Jerusalem called the Lord’s throne! This sounds like the millennium which is mentioned six times in Revelation 20. Revelation 20:4 says that those who were martyred for their witness for Jesus and for the Word of God “lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” Isaiah 2:2 says that in the last days all the nations will stream to the house of the Lord.” Zechariah 2:11 says, “Many nations will join themselves to the Lord in that day and will become My people. Then I will dwell in your midst...”
According to Isaiah 2:2-4, in those days, military weapons will be converted into instruments for food production, and God’s Word shall go forth from Jerusalem.
“In those days, the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given as an inheritance to your fathers.” Jeremiah 3:18
The Lord restores relationships. He removes estrangement between brothers. In Psalm 133:1, 3, David wrote, “See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity! There the Lord gives the blessing, even life forever more.”
“How can I put you among the children and give you a pleasant land, a beautiful heritage of the hosts of nations? “ I said, “You shall call Me, My Father, and not turn away from Me.” Jeremiah 3:19
How could God put them among His children and give them a pleasant land? Adopt them! Romans 8:15 says, “...You have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’” Galatians 3:26 says, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 1:5 says, “He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will.”
God’s adoption of people is according to love. 1 John 3:1 says, “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are.”
“Surely, as a wife treacherously departs from her husband, so have you dealt treacherously with Me, O house of Israel, says the Lord.” Jeremiah 3:20
The Lord confronted her unfaithfulness. He wanted a better relationship with her. He reduced resources to restore relationship.
“A voice was heard on the desolate heights, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel. For they have perverted their way; they have forgotten the Lord their God. Jeremiah 3:21
This appears to be a prophetic forthtelling of what will transpire after they lose their city, their freedom and many of their loved ones. Then, they will weep, pray and come back to the Lord.
Walter Brueggemann wrote, “Without grief there is no newness. The role of the prophet is two-fold: to evoke grief and create amazement: grief for what has been lost, and amazement for the new worlds that are possible.”
“Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Indeed we do come to You, for You are the Lord our God.” Jeremiah 3:22
Repentance restores fellowship with God. A healthy community of faith turns to the Lord for He is their God.
“Truly, in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains; truly, in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel.” Jeremiah 3:23
They had worshipped idols on their hills but their souls remained empty. Only the true God can fill the God-shaped hole in our hearts.
“For shame has devoured the labor of our fathers from our youth—their flocks and their herds, their sons, and their daughters. We lie down in our shame, and our reproach covers us. For we have sinned against the Lord our God, we, and our fathers, from our youth even to this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God.” Jeremiah 3:24-25
The worship of idols had robbed them of flocks, herds, and children. They repented, but too late. In Lamentations 5:16, they moaned, “The crown is fallen from our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned!”
The Hebrew word for repent is: שׁוּב shoove. Shoove is to turn FROM something TO something.
According to Luke 1:16, John the Baptist was about to turn many of the children of Israel TO the Lord their God.
The Christians in 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10, “...turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven...”
The primary goal of repentance is knowing Christ. Blake Glosson wrote, “If we think the chief end of repentance is a behavior—not a Person — then every time we repent, we reinforce an anti-gospel message which says that our hope is in our own ability to ‘do better’ next time.” We are to turn from self to Christ.
In Philippians 3:8, Paul counted all things as loss compared to gaining Christ. This brings us back to the first and greatest commandment which Jesus spoke about in Matthew 22:37, “love the Lord you God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is what God wants... a love relationship with us.
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