Read Jeremiah 8.
The first step to a solution is recognizing there is a problem. Though
the prophets of God had consistently delivered warnings, the people refused to
admit anything was wrong (v.6). Having ignored God's word and turning to
their own so-called wisdom (vv.7-9), the sin of Judah reached a point beyond
repair.
The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah giving him a preview of what would happen
to the nation. Babylon's army will be loud and so thunderous it will feel
like an earthquake. Cities and people will be destroyed.
God gave them every opportunity to repent and turn to Him. Solomon wrote,
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under
heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1) Migratory birds know this (v.7).
Farmers know this to be true. But with Judah, "The harvest is
past, the summer is ended" and with no response they would not be
delivered (v.20).
This was so devastatingly sad, that all Jeremiah wanted to do was to sit down
and cry (8:21-9:1). In a desperate prayer he asked the LORD "Is
there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?" Gilead
is located in the foothills on the east side of the Jordan River. They
were known for their commercial trade of an aromatic gum thought to have a
medicinal effect. Jeremiah called for some medicine and a doctor to come
and restore his nation's spiritual health. Help was available but the
nation refused.
In Luke 5:27-32, Jesus called Levi (Matthew) to follow him and Matthew invited
Him to dinner. This prompted the self-righteous Pharisees and scribes to
criticize Jesus for eating with sinners. "And Jesus answered them,
'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.'"
Like Jeremiah, followers of Jesus weep over those who do not know Him yet.
Before one can experience the forgiveness of their sin and the spiritual
healing God offers through Christ, there must be an admission of their need.
Oh, how we pray for the Holy Spirit to help others to see the urgency of
their need for Him.
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