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"Be instructed, O Jerusalem"

Text: Jeremiah 6:8

GIVING HEED TO WISE INSTRUCTION

The Lord patiently taught Judah. He repeated instructions. He gave candid words of warning. There was always an element of hope amidst impending war!

“For thus has the LORD of hosts said:
‘Cut down trees,
And build a mound against Jerusalem.
This is the city to be punished.
She is full of oppression in her midst.
As a fountain wells up with water,
So she wells up with her wickedness.
Violence and plundering are heard in her.
Before Me continually are grief and wounds.
Be instructed, O Jerusalem,
Lest My soul depart from you;
Lest I make you desolate,
A land not inhabited.'”
Jeremiah 6:6-8

1. “For thus has the LORD of hosts said: ‘Cut down trees, and build a mound against Jerusalem.'”

a) This word of warning concerned the plans of the Invaders.

b) This was the plan agreed by the invading parties.

i) It was not a day assault as some suggested.

ii) Neither was it going to be a night campaign.

iii) They would lay siege to Jerusalem.

c) Building a mound

i) Trees would be cut down.

ii) A mound would be set up against the city.

iii) This would be a long siege.

2. “This is the city to be punished. She is full of oppression in her midst.”

a) God’s view of the city was given.

b) It was a city that deserved to be punished.

c) It was a city that was full of oppression.

i) The strong oppressed the weak.

ii) The rich oppressed the poor.

3. “As a fountain wells up with water, so she wells up with her wickedness.
Violence and plundering are heard in her. Before Me continually are grief and wounds.”

a) Jerusalem was compared to a fountain but unfavourably.

b) As a fountain wells up with perpetual water, Jerusalem wells up with wicked deeds.

i) There was violence.

ii) There was plundering.

c) The plight of the victims described.

i) There was grief for much had been stolen by plunderers.

ii) There were many wounded because of violence.

iii) Their plight was tragic because it was continual.

4. “Be instructed, O Jerusalem, lest My soul depart from you; lest I make you desolate, a land not inhabited.”

a) In this word, an element of hope may be found.

b) If only Jerusalem would receive God’s instruction!

c) If Jerusalem would not heed but continue to practise wickedness.

i) God’s Soul would depart.

ii) Jerusalem would become desolate.

iii) It would become an uninhabited land.