Sermon Tone Analysis
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Let us dive into the words of the prophet Jeremiah Jer.
3:6-4:4
Backsliding Israel vs. Unfaithful Judah
In the middle of the spiritual revival under King Josiah, Adonai reminds the Jeremiah of how the northern 10 of the Nation of Israel acted.
We see Jeremiah once again comparing the idolatry with adultery and pointing out just how prolific it was; “every high mountain and under every green tree.”
But even though Judah had seen how Israel acted, and even though Adonai had given Israel a certificate of divorce because of their unfaithfulness, Judah refused to take note.
Judah refused to fear Adonai, even though they had seen the judgement against Israel.
And here we see the first explicit mention in Jeremiah, that shows that the spiritual revival happening under Josiah was not completely sincere.
We are not specifically told how or why the repentance was insincere.
It is enough for us to realise that although the leaders of the nation of Judah had returned toward Adonai, the people had not wholeheartedly repented.
For these reasons, Adonai declares that the northern 10 tribes of Israel have proven to be more righteous than Judah.
Call for Repentance
Jeremiah is commanded to “Go!” and to “Proclaim to the North.”
The next passage, verses 12-20, we see Adonai calling for the Northern Kingdom of Israel to return to Himself.
Several times Adonai says, “Return, O Backsliding Children”.
This statement is Hebrew poetry at its best.
שׁ֣וּבוּ בָנִ֤ים שׁוֹבָבִים֙
Turn back sons who back turned
It is not in Adonai’s nature to remain angry.
Rather he is calling the nation of Israel to humbly repent and he will bring them back to the Land of Israel, and back to Zion, Jerusalem at its best.
Adonai promises new leaders, or shepherds, who will follow after Him, just like King Josiah was currently doing.
There is also the promise of many children, a sign of Adonai’s favour.
At that time/In those days
Now in the second half of vs. 16 and on through vs. 18 we see a future promise, a Messianic promise.
Jeremiah uses the words “at that time” or “in those days” to refer to a future reality that Adonai will bring.
Here we have a promise to gather Israel from the nations that she has been dispersed to, we see a promise to soften their hearts, and a promise to re-estabilish them as a people in the Land of Israel.
God’s Heart Cry
Adonai longs for His people to turn back to Him.
He calls them and pleads with them to repent.
Jer.
3:19-20
This is just like the words of Yeshua in Matt.
23:37-39
Some in Israel Repent
Although there is no other reference in other literature to a massive return to Adonai at this time, based upon Jeremiah’s first missionary journey to the North, it would appear that some repented.
Verse 21 seems to record that some of the people who heard Jeremiah wept and cried out to Adonai.
In fact, vs. 22 through 25 include a prayer of repentance spoken by those in the North.
There is an acknowledgement that no help ever came from their worshipping false gods on the hills or mountains.
Rather these people declare that “Adonai Eloheinu is the salvation of Israel.”
There is also an ownership of the shame associated with sinning against Adonai, and an acknowledgement of that sin.
Forgiveness for True Repentance
Adonai assures the people, that if they truly repent and return to Him, if they remove any other idol from before their faces, that He will forgive them.
But if they are to repent, they must repent wholeheartedly.
There is no point in simply saying the words, and not being willing to change their behaviours.
Once again, if the people truly repent, then Israel will become the blessing to the nations that they have been called to be.
Just as was promised to Abraham in Gen. 12:1-3
Judah Must Also Repent
Now, in Jer.
4:3 we see the call to repentance extending toward Judah and Jerusalem.
At the beginning we saw that Adonai called backsliding Israel more righteous than unfaithful Judah.
Judah must also prepare their hearts for repentance, and cut away anything in their hearts that is in the way of the covenant.
It is not enough to simply make a once in a lifetime external decision to follow Adonai.
It is not enough to simply follow the faith of your parents.
Rather, repentance must reach our hearts, and we must humble ourselves.
Michael Brown explains the breaking up of unploughed ground this way:
The meaning is to awaken the spiritually dull areas in their lives, to dig afresh the wells of their faith, to become sensitive again to the voice of God.
Coupled with this is the exhortation no to sow among thorns - an image equated in the Gospels with the cares of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, the search for pleasures, and the desire for other things (Mk.
4:7-19), but here it basically means the removal of everything that impedes their loyalty to the Lord or hinders their repentance.
Application
So how do we apply this passage to our lives?
Adonai Desires Repentance
Adonai desires all people to repent.
Peter wrote in 2 Pet.
3:8-9
And again in the Psalm 30:5-6
Learn From Others’ Examples
We are told that the examples given to us in Scripture are to be lessons so that we do not make the same mistakes.
Just as Adonai judged Israel and Judah, so also will He judge Australia.
The difference is that unlike Beni Yisrael, Australia does not have a promise to exist until the end of the age as a nation.
Just like Assyria, Babylon, and the Greco-Roman empires, the West will fall.
Just as Judah had not learned from Israel’s example, it does not seem that we have learned any of the lessons of the nations that have gone before us.
Some Will Repent
We, however, must not lose heart.
Some people will repent, just as some in Israel repented.
We are called to declare the Good News of God’s forgiveness and to disciple people as we go.
While it is true that not everyone will listen, some will.
Yeshua told a parable about this time.
Matt.
22:1-14
We are now at a time where we are to go into the highways and byways, and invite everyone we find to the wedding feast!
Through the death of Yeshua, all who repent and accept His sacrifice are offered clean white garments.
Adonai Promises Forgiveness
We are promised that when we confess our sins to Adonai, just as Israel confessed in this passage today, then He will forgive us. 1 John 1:8-10
The Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever.
He is gracious, and forgiving.
To close I want to read one last Scripture that explains the nature of God.
Ex. 34:6-7
This is the God that we serve!
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