Jeremiah mourned for his people so much that he wished his eyes were fountains. He also wished for sanctuary from the evil people. The Lord told Jeremiah that he couldn't trust anyone, even his friends and family. God would purify the hearts of people in fire, he had no other choice. Jeremiah mourned the lost beauty of the land. Jeremiah asked the Lord why it was necessary to make the land desolate. God told him it was because the people disobeyed Him, His laws and teachings. They worshiped other gods like their ancestors. The Lord promised them poison, and to be scattered in foreign countries they'd never heard of. Finally, He would send enemy soldiers to kill them. The Lord told Jeremiah to send for the wailing women - especially the loudest ones. They were to cry about the loss of their homeland. They were to teach the younger ones a mourning song. The dead bodies would lie like garbage on the ground. Then God told Jeremiah what He liked best, He said, don't brag about your wisdom, strength or wealth. If you must brag, have enough sense to brag about worshiping Me, the Lord. God said, "What I like best is showing kindness, justice, and mercy to everyone on earth." (Jeremiah 9:24 CEV) The Lord said someday He would punish other nations of men whose bodies are circumcised, but not their hearts.
The Lord told Jeremiah that an idol is no better than a scarecrow. Why worship a thing that can't help or harm you? Jeremiah praised the Lord as the only true and living God. He created the earth with His wisdom and power. Jeremiah told the people that the time was at hand for them to be forced off their land. Then Jeremiah prayed. He told the Lord that he knew that "we humans are not in control of our own lives." He asked the Lord to correct him, but not in anger because he wouldn't survive. Then he asked God to sweep away the enemies.
The Lord told Jeremiah to explain to the people that they had broken the agreement made by their ancestors and that it hadn't changed in all that time. God did exactly what He promised to do for the people and they turned their backs on Him. So God decided to bring suffering on the people of Judah and Jerusalem. He knew they would beg for His help, but He wouldn't listen to them. God told Jeremiah not to pray for the people because He wouldn't listen anyway. Then the Lord told Jeremiah to tell the people how they had messed up. So of course, the people plotted to kill Jeremiah. Not only did the Lord tell Jeremiah about it, but He made sure that those people suffered and died along with their entire families.
Jeremiah asked God why it appeared that the wicked lived such a comfortable life. They do wrong, but live well. God answered with questions such as, how could Jeremiah compete with horses if racing with people wore him out? How would he survive when things got really bad if such trifles bothered him so much? The Lord was furious with His people and began to hate them. If the nations which conquered Judah and Jerusalem accepted Him as their God, He would be good to them, and they would become His people. If not, they would be destroyed too.
Tomorrow read Jeremiah 13-16:9
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