Daily Devotions
Jeremiah
"Only acknowledge your iniquity"
Text: Jeremiah 3:13
A SIMPLE REQUIREMENT
“‘Only acknowledge your iniquity,
That you have transgressed against the LORD your God,
And have scattered your charms
To alien deities under every green tree,
And you have not obeyed My voice,’ says the LORD.”
Jeremiah 3:13
1. “Only acknowledge your iniquity”
a) This was what God asked for:
i) Candour
ii) Confession
b) Iniquity
i) It is more than breaking the Covenant law.
ii) It is sin that lies deep in the heart (not obvious to the eye).
2. “That you have transgressed against the LORD your God”
a) That Israel/ Judah have transgressed is obvious to God.
b) But they need to acknowledge and confess their transgressions!
c) They had not done this!
d) They kept silent (Psalm 32:3-4).
3. “And have scattered your charms to alien deities under every green tree”
a) The word “charms” is a reference to “feminine ways”.
b) Israel and Judah used their “feminine charms” towards “alien deities”.
c) Many idolatrous practices involved immoral activities.
Israel/ Judah entered into these activities with abandon.
4. “‘And you have not obeyed My voice,’ says the LORD”
a) In addition to these iniquities God’s voice went unheeded.
b) Israel and Judah deliberately disobeyed God:
i) His word
ii) His prophets
Israel/ Judah did not acknowledge this iniquity either, at least, not genuinely!