A Short Memory
7/6/26 Bible Thought (Jeremiah 1-2)
Main Idea: We must be careful not to forget God during times of prosperity.
A Quick Backdrop:
Jeremiah the prophet was appointed by God to serve the people of Judah in their last days. His ministry overlapped with the second half of King Josiah’s reign, and he served the people until the destruction of Jerusalem during the reign of King Zedekiah.
God had appointed Jeremiah to this task before His birth and promised to be with Him while He proclaimed coming judgment upon Judah for their many sins (Jer. 1:5-8).
A Look at the Text:
Jeremiah’s first message confronted the people for their abandonment of Yahweh. While formerly they were devoted to Him like a young bride (Jer. 2:2), they had forgotten Him entirely.
From the beginning, God had graciously delivered them from Egyptian slavery, carried them through the wilderness, and brought them to their own land (Jer. 2:4-7). Yet, no one asked, “Where is the Lord?” (Jer. 2:6). In their prosperity, they quickly neglected God. While there were times of renewal, this story repeated itself from the time of the judges to Babylon again and again.
The tragic irony is that the idolatrous nations were faithful to their idols (Jer. 2:11) and yet Yahweh’s people weren’t faithful to Him. They didn’t want His yoke (Jer. 2:20), and at the same time they would serve others.
Jeremiah predicted that when the people called to God during the coming trouble, He wouldn’t help. Instead, He would sadly reply, “Your idols can save you.” (see Jer. 2:28).
Bringing it Home:
Throughout the ages, the people of God quickly forgot Him when things were going well. They would rush to Him during times of hardship, but when life was prosperous, they didn’t need God.
God knew this was going to happen; hence, He warned in many places in Deuteronomy, “Remember…” Remember all that God has done for you! Don’t forget where you’ve been and how God is the One who has brought you to this place!
Centuries later, Jeremiah recounted that in the pleasant days, they forgot Him. Between people and priest, no one asked where He was. They weren’t concerned with God. They had received His blessings, so they were good to go.
This brings a sobering challenge to us, even today: Do we love the Giver and not just His gifts?
If God were to fill our lives with all manner of material goodness and He were to fulfil our wildest dreams, would we turn and worship Him in thanksgiving and praise? Or would we, like nine lepers, simply go on our way?
Would a life of prosperity without the presence of God be good enough for us? Or like Moses, would we refuse even the Promised Land unless God be with us?
Challenge:
Do gifts turn me towards or away from the Giver?