KEEPING our END in MIND in ALL our ACTIVITIES
August 8 Bible Reading: Jeremiah Chapters 4-6
KEEPING our END in MIND in ALL our ACTIVITIES
"An astonishing and horrible
thing has been committed in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the
priests rule by their own power; and My people love to have it so. But what
will you do in the end?" (Jer 5:30-31)
In this terse message, the prophet Jeremiah describes the
moral depravity of Judah’s leaders as “an
astonishing and horrible thing”. The deterioration of the leadership of the
land had reached to the prophets and priests, the very people who were to be
the mainstays of righteousness among the people. Both offices had succumbed to
the temptation of abusing their power, rejecting their responsible roles as
messengers and servants of God.
Judah’s sin was so exceedingly evil that it was described as
being appallingly horrible as the people ‘loved’ being under the ministry of
false prophets and wicked priests and desired to continue this farce (Jer. 6:13-15).
The worst phase of this national evil was not that only some people were
guilty, but even the priests and the prophets have become corrupt and
self-serving. It is appalling and horrifying that the priests and prophets
would pervert the message of God and that the people would “love to have it so.” Even Jeremiah’s chilling words, “What will you do in the end?” referring
to the coming judgment, could not shake the people from their false
complacency.
What we can understand is that the people of Judah were
satisfied with a totally corrupt government. The prophets were telling the
people what they wanted to hear. But prophet Jeremiah took his orders from God
Almighty who knew what the people needed. If their healing required bitter
medicine, that is what they would get.
In our own lives and activities, we need to be aware that God
is watching us closely seeing all the activities we are doing and hearing all
the words we are speaking. One day we will have to give an account before God
regarding everything that we do in this world. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that
each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has
done, whether good or bad." (2 Cor 5:10)
Let’s keep our end in mind in all our activities as we will reap one day what we sow today! This is what God’s word speaks to us about this matter: "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (Gal 6:7-9)
