Jeremiah 3

Jeremiah 3 is a very interesting and important chapter (Come, aren’t they all?  Well, maybe some more than others – example: I Chronicles 5).  Jeremiah was hearing from God about the countries of Israel and Judah, which about 400 years earlier were one nation under King David.  In the midst of a number of issues, the country finally divided over taxes.  The younger generation wanted to raise the taxes on the wealthy and the wealthy and older people wanted taxes lowered – if that isn’t our country! Today, most of the younger people want government to have more money so to provide more services such as free tuition, day care, and health services, while most of the older generation does not trust government and thus does not want to give the government more money.

Jeremiah’s people also had a huge issue with their religion.  At one time all ascribed to “One nation under God” and “In God we trust.”  But the peoples of the north (named Israel), while religious, were not interested in the God of their forefathers – the God of Abraham, Moses, Samuel and David.  Rather, the north worshiped gods of their making and or no god at all.  In the south (Judah), they continued in the traditions of worship meaning sacrifices and feasts at the temple in Jerusalem built by Solomon.  There were two large schools of religious thought – a rejection of the old religion and a commitment to the old forms and beliefs.  (Again, one cannot miss the parallel to us today.)

Now God had birthed both nations as one when He broke them out of Egypt and entered into a covenant with them through Moses at Mt. Sinai – He had married Israel (one nation then and called “Israel”).  After King Solomon, that one “wife” had become two – Judah in the south and Israel in the north.  God now found Himself with “two wives”.

Finally, after two hundred years of habitual rebellion and idolatry by the north, God divorced Israel.  But, as bad as Israel was – and she was very bad, God had a greater complaint with Judah who still worshipped at the temple.  Why?  Because they worshipped in “pretense”.  They went through motions but their heart and their lives were far from Him.  They came together to claim submission and adoration of God, but it was not true.  So as bad as the north was, in God’s eyes, the south was worse.

Verse 11 declares that one nation was more righteous than the other.  Which one?  The north – the one He divorced!  What?  The north was termed faithless, that is, they had no belief in God.  The south was called unfaithful, meaning they were claiming fidelity while all along pursuing other lovers.  God saw their two-timing and was not happy, yet God did not divorce the south!

So, why did God divorce the north and not the south? God divorced the north as polygamy is not His will (He gave the north time to repent – 200 years, but time ran out).  God did not divorce the nation more odious to Him (the south) because God had entered a covenant and God always keeps His word.  That is fully true today also – Thank you, God!

But don’t miss 3:16-18.  Neither nation, Israel or Judah, was or is lost to God.  He will bring both Israel and Judah back together in unity and love and in the land with Jerusalem glorious and the center of all nations. The nation will be under shepherds who love God and care for the people in truth and wisdom.  Has that happened ever?  No!  Will it?  Yes!

So, a powerful chapter?  Yes!  Important for the USA, for marriages, for the Jews and for us!