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"Ah, Lord GOD"

Text: Jeremiah 4:10

JEREMIAH’S RESPONSE

Jeremiah struggled greatly as he listened to this word God had given him. He was candid in his response to the Lord.

“Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord GOD!
Surely You have greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem,
Saying, ‘You shall have peace,’
Whereas the sword reaches to the heart.'”
Jeremiah 4:10

1. “Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord GOD!'”

a) Jeremiah had established a strong relationship with God

i) As a prophet.

ii) As he listened to God’s instructions.

iii) As he learned difficult lessons.

b) The following nuances may be detected:

i) Astonishment

ii) Sadness

iii) Difficulty in acceptance of this word

2. “Surely You have greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, ‘You shall have peace,’ whereas the sword reaches to the heart.”

a) Jerusalem

i) One of the thoughts behind this name was “peace” (Shalom/ Salem).

ii) God had promised peace in the land (Leviticus 26:6).

b) Deception

i) Jeremiah was deeply troubled.

ii) God had promised peace and yet He now spoke of war.

iii) Had God deceived His people?

3. A wrong understanding of the promise of peace

a) The Context of Leviticus 26:6

i) Israel was not to worship idols. Leviticus 26:1a

ii) It was to keep His Sabbaths. Leviticus 26:2a

iii) It was to revere His sanctuary. Leviticus 26:2b

iv) It was to walk in God’s statues. Leviticus 26:3

b) Israel did none of the above.

i) Israel did not obey. Leviticus 26:14

ii) It despised His statutes. Leviticus 26:15

4. “The sword reaches to the heart”

a) God warned of punishment for wilful disobedience (Leviticus 26:18-39).

b) God had not deceived His people.

c) Jeremiah spoke out of turn here.

i) He spoke out of anguish and grief.

ii) Out of love for Jerusalem and the people.