• Download Video
• Download Audio
• Print
• Email
• Save As PDF

"Return now every one from his evil way"

Text: Jeremiah 18:11

WARNING AND HOPE

Two words were brought to the attention of “the men of Judah” and in particular “the inhabitants of Jerusalem”. One was word of warning. But in the same breath, there was also a word of hope.

“Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the
inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying,
‘Thus says the LORD:
‘Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you.
Return now every one from his evil way,
and make your ways and your doings good.”
And they said,
‘That is hopeless! So we will walk according to our own plans,
and we will every one obey the dictates of his evil heart.”
Jeremiah 18:11-12

1. “Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD'”

a) This word came from the LORD.

b) It was specially meant for:

i) The people living in the land of Judah.

ii) The inhabitants of Jerusalem.

2. “Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you”

a) This was a word of warning.

i) God was planning a disaster.

ii) He was devising a plan.

b) This word must be taken seriously.

i) Would the men of Judah take heed?

ii) Would the inhabitants of Jerusalem heed this warning?

3. “Return now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good”

a) The people must forsake their evil ways.

b) They must seek to do that which is good.

c) This is a basic and sensible word from God.

4. “And they said, ‘That is hopeless! So we will walk according to our own plans,
and we will every one obey the dictates of his evil heart'”

a) “That is hopeless”

i) This was an uncalled-for remark.

ii) No situation in life is hopeless with God’s grace and power.

b) The people decided.

i) They will not heed God’s word.

ii) They will not repent and change their ways.

iii) They will carry out what they had planned.

iv) They will obey whatever their hearts dictate to them.