Jeremiah 4:9-10 – Never doubt God’s faithfulness

The looming judgment that was described in Jeremiah 4:5-8 would be so catastrophic that all the three institutions of Judah would be affected. These were the pillars of the Judaean society to bring stability to the nation. The king representing the government was to rule righteously. The priests representing the priesthood were to ensure their spiritual health and well-being and their relationship with God. The prophets were there to point them God’s way. But in the coming judgment, all three institutions would be affected. The king and the princes would be totally demoralized. The priests would be shocked and horrified while the prophets would be left speechless.

Jeremiah himself was left dumbfounded and couldn’t believe what was coming. So he expressed his disappointment in verse 10 accusingly saying, “Ah, Lord God! Surely You have utterly deceived these people and Jerusalem, saying, ‘You will have peace’; whereas a sword touches the throat.” This verse is hard to interpret. Why should Jeremiah have these blasphemous thoughts?  Perhaps in his mind, he did not expect that God would allow judgment. Or he could be struggling to make sense of what would be happening. Haven’t we often asked difficult questions in difficult times? Haven’t we asked questions such as, if God is so good and He certainly is, why does He allow evil to triumph?  Why doesn’t God eradicate the source of sin and evil  so that His people could never engage in them?” There are many such questions that have been raised. But as it has been said God is far too good to be cruel and too deep to explain Himself. God did not even answer Jeremiah.

True faith in God is trusting Him fully even if we don’t understand what’s happening.  Just because God is not doing what we expect Him to do doesn’t mean that God is not trustworthy. There is a tendency for man to think less of God. But let us never think anything less of Him. We should instead do what Moses encouraged us to do:  

“…proclaim the name of the Lord;
Ascribe greatness to our God!
‘The Rock! His work is perfect,
For all His ways are just;
A God of faithfulness and without injustice,
Righteous and upright is He.’” (Deuteronomy 32:3-4)