Daily Devotions
Jeremiah
"My people have changed their Glory"
Text: Jeremiah 2:11
CHECKING THINGS OUT
God challenged Judah to check things out for themselves. The nation liked to follow the trends of other nations. They wanted to have a king like other nations (1 Samuel 8:5). They also adopted the idols of others in place of the LORD!
“For pass beyond the coasts of Cyprus and see,
Send to Kedar and consider diligently,
And see if there has been such a thing.
Has a nation changed its gods,
Which are not gods?
But My people have changed their Glory
For what does not profit.”
Jeremiah 2:10-11
1. “For pass beyond the coasts of Cyprus and see”
a) Cyprus was the farthermost part of the Western part of Judah.
b) The nation was urged to check Cyprus out.
i) It was an idolatrous nation.
ii) Did Cyprus change its “gods?”
2. “Send to Kedar and consider diligently,
And see if there has been such a thing”
a) Kedar was the farthermost part of the Eastern part of Judah.
b) Judah was urged to check things out diligently.
c) Kedar was a much poorer and weaker country than Judah.
d) Did Kedar change its “gods?”
3. “Has a nation changed its gods, which are not gods?”
a) From the West to the East of Judah:
i) From Cyprus to Kedar.
ii) These worshipped idols.
b) The LORD did not consider the idols as “gods”.
c) Both Cyprus and Kedar did not change their idols even if they did nothing for the nations that worshipped them.
4. “But My people have changed their Glory for what does not profit”
a) God still called Judah, “My people”.
i) Such was His mercy
ii) Such was His grace and faithfulness
b) God was the glory of His people.
i) He was their Provider.
ii) He was their Protector.
iii) He was their God who gave them great and enlightening Laws.
c) But Judah changed their Glory (their God).
i) For idols.
ii) For “gods” that brought them nothing, let alone glory!
This was a lamentable tragedy!