WORD PICTURES FROM JEREMIAH
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. Jeremiah was a strong and faithful prophet of God, and by the
Holy Spirit, he painted many graphic word pictures for God's
people.
B. Jeremiah's work was to call the people back to God.
1. He encouraged the people to turn from their wickedness and
idolatry, and return to the true God.
2. Though Jeremiah lived many years ago, his word pictures
will help us to live closer to God.
I. Jer. 2:13
A. "The cisterns of Palestine were usually a bottle or pear-shaped
reservoir into which water could drain from a roof, tunnel, or
courtyard." (Homan's Bible Dictionary).
B. The importance of water for sustaining life is not appreciated
by us in this country.
1. People who come here from other countries, such as Saudi
Arabia, are amazed to see people watering their lawns. They
think that it's a great waste.
C. The problem that concerned Jeremiah was much more serious
than being without natural water.
1. There is great folly in leaving "the fountain of living
waters" for a broken cistern that holds no water.
D. Consider the contrast Jesus made when He talked with the
woman at the well. John 4:10-14
1. Let us never forsake the Lord, the fountain of living water,
for things of lesser worth.
II. Jer. 7:23-24
A. Thus, the people were not going forward in their service to
God, but were digressing from it.
B. In the 1800's, when there was a split in the Lord's church over
the Missionary Societies, those who promoted the Societies
called themselves "progressive."
1. This was supposed to mean that they were the ones
"progressing" in the Lord's work.
2. The true Christians began to call them "digressive," because
in reality that was what they were.
3. The word "gressive" is from the Latin and means "to walk or
go," and has many interesting compounds. "Transgressive"
means "To step or go beyond" "digressive," "to turn aside"
"retrogressive," "to go back" "progressive," "to go forward"
"aggressive," "ready to go."
C. Let us, as in Jeremiah's word picture, have a marked readiness
to go forward in the Lord's service, and shun falsehoods and
worldly endeavors that take us backward.
III. Jer. 10:3-5
A. We can easily see in our minds people back then working
diligently to carve their idols.
1. They took pieces of wood or metal and carved or fashioned
gods to meet their own fancy.
B. Today, men in their own minds shape and fashion the true God
into the god they prefer.
1. They mentally chisel and carve away His wrath and severity,
making Him a god of love only.
a. They mold and shape Him into a god that accepts the
very things He once rejected.
b. They have devised Him as a god who accepts worship
of any kind.
2. Thus, modern men, in their own minds, have fashioned their
own god, and are no less guilty of idolatry than the people
of long ago.
3. Let us flee from all gods of our own devising. 1 John 5:21;
1 Cor. 10:14
IV. Jer. 17:5-8
A. Again, we can visualize a tree or bush that is out in the
desert, in salty, rocky soil. This is like those who do not
serve the Lord.
1. On the other hand, we can see a tree or bush that is on the
river bank that thrives because it has plenty of water at
all times. This is like the person who serves the Lord.
B. The Psalmist made the same contrast in the first Psalm. Psalm
1:1-6
1. Notice the four tree-like characteristics of a godly life.
a. Planted - Fortified, stable, rooted, solid, and strong.
b. Fruitful - Productive, which naturally follows being
planted and growing.
c. Unwithered - Even during days of difficulty, the
tree-like soul is untouched and undaunted.
d. Prosperous - God blesses him in every good way.
2. There is a diametric difference from the previous verses,
highlighted by the phrases "the wicked are not so."
a. It refers back to the preceding verses describing the
righteous, godly believer who:
(1) Happy - Is happy many times over, but it is not so
with the wicked.
(2) Delighted - Delights and meditates in the word, but
it is not so with the wicked.
(3) Thriving - Is like a thriving tree, but it is not so
with the wicked.
(4) Fruitful - Is fruitful and prosperous, but it is not
so with the wicked.
C. Let us delight ourselves in God's word, maintain a pure,
uncompromising walk with God, and we will grow into a stable,
reliable "spiritual tree."
V. Jer. 20:7b-9
A. We see the picture. They had persecuted and discouraged
Jeremiah so much so that he said he was not going to say
another word.
1. However, as he tried to hold back, the word became like a
burning fire within him and he couldn't help but speak it
forth.
B. We, likewise, need to share the good news of the gospel.
1. When God's word is within us like a burning fire, we cannot
hold it back.
2. Let us be like the two on the road to Emmaus who had to
return to Jerusalem and tell the others of the good news.
Luke 24:32-35
3. Let us be like the early Christians who were on fire with
the gospel and went everywhere preaching the word. Acts 8:4
C. Because of the intense competition in the automobile industry,
car makers try to keep their design breakthroughs secret. A
company that can offer a new and desirable feature on its cars
gains a coveted selling edge in a tough market. That's why it
was surprising when a Mercedes-Benz ad showed one of their cars
being crashed into a brick wall during a safety test. The way
it withstood the impact revealed that its energy-absorbing
construction could save lives. Even though Mercedes-Benz holds
the patent on the safety design, competitors were free to use
it because the company does not enforce its claim. When asked
why, the automaker's spokesman replied, "Because some things in
life are too important not to share."
1. Likewise, the good news of the gospel is too important not
to share.
2. Let it be within us a burning fire which we cannot hold
back.
VI. Jer. 44:2-5
A. The picture of God "rising early" to send His prophets shows
that He was diligent in trying to persuade, warn, and encourage
His people to return to Him.
B. At first, it seemed as though the remnant (those who remained
after Jerusalem was destroyed) wanted to do the will of God.
Jer. 42:5-6
1. However, when Jeremiah tells them what to do, to stay in the
land, they did not want it. Jer. 42:9-12
2. They were hypocrites when they said they wanted to follow
God. Jer. 42:20; 43:1-4
3. They didn't want to do what God required, but wanted to do
what they thought was best. Jer. 44:16-18
4. Thus, they were hypocrites when they said they wanted to do
the will of God.
C. There are many modern-day hypocrites.
1. Andrea Miller in her book, "The Single Woman," wrote an
interesting confession that describes a modern-day
hypocrite. She said that she realized she was in reality
living several lives. One was that of a young executive in a
company, wearing professional clothes that made her look
like a business woman. In the evenings and on the weekends,
she redid her hair and dressed to get a "swinging singles"
look. She would go to the singles' bars, and do the things
the "swinging singles" were doing. However, when she would
write home to her parents, she took on another personality.
To them she was still the good little girl, being nice, and
working hard.
2. The question is, "Who are you?" Will the real "you" please
stand up?
a. Remember, we might be able to deceive other people,
but not God.
Concl.
A. We can learn much from Jeremiah's word pictures.
1. It is the very height of foolishness to turn away from God,
the fountain of living waters, to broken cisterns, to things
which have no true value.
2. Let us not be digressive, but progressive in the Lord's
service.
3. Let us grow into stable, reliable, spiritual trees, and not
be like unfruitful bushes in a dry and salty wilderness.
4. May the word of God be within us as burning fire and we
can't hold it back.
5. Let us serve God with all of our being, for He knows our
hearts, and will punish and destroy all hypocrites.
Chart #1
The Tree - Like Characteristics Of A Godly Life:
Planted - Fortified, stable, rooted, solid, and strong.
Fruitful - Productive, which naturally follows being planted and
growing.
Unwithered - Even during days of difficulty, the tree-like soul is
untouched and undaunted.
Prosperous - God blesses him in every good way.
Chart #2
Contrasting The Righteous Soul Who Is:
Happy - Is happy many times over; but, it is not
so with the wicked.
Delighted - Delights and meditates in the word;
but, it is not so with the wicked.
Thriving - Is like a thriving tree; but, it is not
so with the wicked.
Fruitful - Is fruitful and prosperous; but, it is
not so with the wicked.