These verses in Jeremiah 8:18-22 show the prophet in anguish and could not be comforted. It was as if he was listening to a conversation between God and the people of Judah in captivity. Jeremiah saw the people’s deep disappointment and was lamenting. In their bewilderment, they questioned and wondered how could Zion where the Lord was present was in such a condition? Jeremiah could almost hear God retorting “Why have they provoked Me with their graven images, with foreign idols?” Though they were God people and would have known the consequences of worshipping images and foreign idols, yet they did it anyhow. How could the calamity be averted with such a blatant disregard for their covenant God?
In verse 20, Jeremiah saw the people lamenting their condition
and saw hope for them disappearing. They were still anticipating God could come
to their rescue. They had waited through the harvest and summer yet their
anticipated rescue did not happen. This was a cry of hopelessness. There was no
repentance but only impending judgment. So in verse 21, Jeremiah lamented and
was heartbroken and grief had taken a hold of him. He saw that there was nothing,
neither physician nor medicine, that could soothe their sorrow and heal their wound.
Although Gilead was known for her
healing balm none was available for the rebellious people of God what
awaits them was deplorable exile.
All Jeremiah could see was gloom and destruction. All because the people did not cherish their God and the blessing they had. Their experience is a lesson for us never to test God to a point that he had to deal with them so severely. We have a choice in life. We can choose to be blessed beyond measure or face the discipline of God beyond measure. If we want to experience the former don’t test God beyond measure. Keep short accounts, repent, and realign immediately when the Holy Spirit alerts us to a flaw. Don’t wait for a tragedy then start looking for a remedy!
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