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"See now and know"

Text: Jeremiah 5:1

THE OFFER OF PARDON

In Genesis 19, Abraham prayed to God and asked Him to spare Sodom and Gomorrah if ten righteous people were to be found there. In this text, God offered to pardon Jerusalem if Jeremiah could find even one truly genuine righteous person!

“Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem;
See now and know;
And seek in her open places
If you can find a man,
If there is anyone who executes judgment,
Who seeks the truth,
And I will pardon her.
Though they say, ‘As the LORD lives,’
Surely they swear falsely.”
Jeremiah 5:1-2

1. “Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem”

a) Jerusalem was both the political and religious capital.

b) The streets of Jerusalem would be lined with shops and residences.

2. “See now and know; and seek in her open places”

a) Jeremiah was invited to check everywhere.

b) He could check out not just the city itself but surrounding areas (open places).

3. “If you can find a man, if there is anyone who executes judgment, who seeks the truth”

a) Find the one individual who executes judgment (justice).

b) One who seeks truth (God and His word).

4. “And I will pardon her”

a) This was a solemn promise.

b) God did not ask for ten righteous people.

c) He asked for just one righteous person.

i) He seeks truth.

ii) He practises justice.

5. “Though they say, ‘As the LORD lives,’ surely they swear falsely.”

a) There were many who “practised religion”.

b) They even use the name of the LORD:

i) In their language.

ii) In their taking of oaths.

c) But in reality

i) They were swearing false oaths.

ii) God was not in their heart and mind at all.