This chapter mainly contains a description of Judah’s sin and treachery, plus a lament for the people.
“My joy is gone; grief is upon me; my heart is sick within me. Behold, the cry of the daughter of my people from the length and breadth of the land: ‘Is the Lord not in Zion? Is her King not in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their carved images and with their foreign idols? The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.’ For the wound of the daughter of my people is my heart wounded; I mourn, and dismay has taken hold on me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of the daughter of my people not been restored?” (v18-22)
Jeremiah laments for the lack of restoration and healing of his people. They have not been restored because of their great sin. In fact, God says even greater destruction is coming as a result.
Repentant hearts and obedience are some of the key things God asks of us. If we do those things (easier said than done, I know), He will bestow great blessing upon us. The (full) blessing may not be received in this life, but the eternal rewards are beyond our imaginations.
Let’s submit ourselves to God not only for our own good, but so we’re Christlike examples to others. Just as Jeremiah laments for his people, we should also lament and pray for the salvation and blessing of our people as well.
Father God, our Gracious and Merciful Lord, You promise such great blessings beyond our meager imaginations. Thank you for teaching us humility, repentance, and obedience, so we may receive blessing, and encourage others. May we be witnesses to Your glory, in all of our words and actions, so Jesus’ kingdom can come on earth as well as in heaven. In Your name Jesus we praise, honor, glorify, and obey the Father, day after day, for as long as we shall live, amen.