3 mistakes that will bring God's Judgment

Read Jeremiah 4.

"Return," the LORD declared to His wayward people.  But they did not.

Jeremiah saw the consequences for Judah in advance.  The coming events were terrifying.  "Blow the trumpet" of warning.  Sound the alarm.  "Cry aloud."  Why?  Because God's judgment on the nation's sin was about to take place.  "The fierce anger of the LORD" (v.8) will come in the form of an enemy "from the north" (v.6).

Sure enough, God used the Babylonians to destroy the land and take many of the people away as captives.  The invasion is described as being like a lion charging out of his hiding place to attack his prey (v.7).  They would sweep across the land as quickly and brutally as a scorching hot wind (v.11).  "Chariots like the whirlwind; his horses are swifter than eagles" (v.13).  The people of Judah would run for their lives, leaving their cities deserted.

What caused God to drop His protection and allow this to happen?
"Your ways and your deeds have brought this upon you." (v.18)

What did they do exactly to cause this judgment?
1. They refused to remove the "detestable things" from their lives and turn wholeheartedly to God. (v.1)
The people loved their sin more than wanting to live for the LORD.

2. They listened to the wrong people and believed a false message of hope. (vv.9-10).
The prophets of God had been warning them all along and calling the nation to repent.  But false prophets and ungodly leaders spoke only of peace and prosperity.  When the disaster struck, some then would blame God for not telling the truth.  He did tell them the truth.  They did not want to hear it and so they turned to those who had a message they liked better.

3. They learned about evil instead of learning how to live for God.  (v.22)
"For my people are foolish; they know me not; they are stupid children; they have no understanding.  They are 'wise'--in doing evil!  But how to do good they know not."  Dr. Bill Bright used to say that people are not Gospel hardened.  They are Gospel ignorant.  They have either never heard or never taken the time to know a real relationship with God and discover the truth from His word.