Jeremiah 4-6
It is not looking good for Judah. Jeremiah’s message is not, “Don’t worry. Be happy!” Unlike Isaiah in Hezekiah’s day, Jeremiah does not tell the people of Jerusalem that the LORD will protect the city. On the contrary, he tells the people of Benjamin to flee Jerusalem because destruction is coming. (Jer. 6:1) But in the midst of this message of looming disaster, the LORD declares that He will not make a full end. In fact, He says this three times in today’s reading:
For thus says the LORD, “The whole land shall be a desolation; yet I will not make a full end.
Jeremiah 4:27
Go up through her vine rows and destroy, but make not a full end; strip away her branches, for they are not the LORD’s.
Jeremiah 5:10
But even in those days, declares the LORD, I will not make a full end of you.
Jeremiah 5:18
Yes, Judah, disaster is coming, a disaster of your own making, because of your persistent rebellion against the LORD, but the LORD is yet merciful and will not make a full end.
In all of that we should recognize that Jeremiah’s message — and that of all the prophets — is never simple condemnation, put a plea for repentance. The LORD is patient. He warns His people — again and again and again. But for the most part, His words fall on deaf ears (Jer. 5:21), both then and now.
Let’s not be so deaf.
Wow, John, you really summed up the Old Testament for us… God warns us again and again, but He is infinitely patient in giving us time to change (and repent). We all need to learn from the past and respect God’s good guidance for us.