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"I will refine them and try them"

Text: Jeremiah 9:7

DEALING WITH A TREACHEROUS NATION

The LORD could not allow Judah to remain deceptive and treacherous. He informed Jeremiah what He would do with them.

“Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts:
‘Behold, I will refine them and try them;
For how shall I deal with the daughter of My people?
Their tongue is an arrow shot out;
It speaks deceit;
One speaks peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth,
But in his heart he lies in wait.
Shall I not punish them for these things?’ says the LORD.
‘Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?'”
Jeremiah 9:7-9

1. “Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Behold, I will refine them and try them'”

a) God had not totally rejected them.

b) Instead, He would refine them.

c) The refining process also included trying (testing) them.

2. “For how shall I deal with the daughter of My people?”

a) God still regarded the nation with affection.

b) They were still addressed as “the daughter of My people”.

3. The sinful inclinations of the people were noted:

a) The problem of the tongue.

i) It shot arrows.

ii) It speaks deceitful words.

b) The problem of treachery.

i) The tongue spoke peace.

ii) But the heart lay in wait to attack.

4. “‘Shall I not punish them for these things?’ says the LORD.
‘Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?'”

a) Both were rhetorical questions voiced out loud.

b) God will chastise the children of Judah for:

i) Treachery

ii) Duplicity

iii) Iniquity