"Hear the word of the LORD"
Text: Jeremiah 2:4
AN IMPORTANT WORD
If ever there was an important word to hear, this was surely one of them. Jeremiah’s challenge was to address the deep problem of idolatry. This message had been preached by many prophets for a very long time, but no one paid any special attention.
“Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob
and all the families of the house of Israel.”
Jeremiah 2:4
1. “Hear the word of the LORD”
a) The prophet was a spokesman of the Lord.
b) He was God’s messenger.
c) His message was “the word of the LORD”.
d) This alone should have caused all “to hear”.
2. The significance of the word of the LORD
a) It was authoritative.
b) It compels attention.
c) It warrants due regard.
d) It was imperative to give heed:
i) Diligently
ii) Urgently
iii) Attentively
3. Jeremiah’s choice of words was poignant
a) “O house of Jacob”
i) Each time the name “Jacob” was used one was reminded of the past.
ii) The original Jacob was a cunning and deceitful man.
iii) This name represented a sinful and deplorable spiritual state.
iv) Jeremiah was privy to the true spiritual state of the nation.
b) “And all the families of the house of Israel”
i) All the families would refer to all the tribes that made up the house of Israel.
ii) Though the name “Israel” was now used, it made no difference.
iii) The combination of the two names did not bode well for the nation.
iv) Israel had reverted back to Jacob.
v) There should have been a positive change for the better, but this had not happened.
c) The spiritual state of ALL the families was at one of its lowest levels.
i) Time had not made the nation better.
ii) The ministry of the prophets had not impacted the nation.
iii) The nation was addressed sadly as “Jacob!”