It's Not Too Late

It’s Not Too Late!

Jeremiah 8:20 (RSV)

“The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.”

What a sad and awful proclamation being made by Jeremiah about the chosen people of God.

“The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.”

Jeremiah is considered the 2nd of the four Major Prophets of the Bible, only to be preceed by Isaiah and followed by Ezekiel and Daniel. He is known as the “Weeping Prophet” because of his lamenting over the down fall and rebellious nature of Israel.

Jeremiah’s prophecy began at the age of 17, but some would argue that his ministry began at age 13.

Regardless of his age, it is a fact that God called Jeremiah into ministry,

Jeremiah 1: 4-5 “Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

As a prophet, Jeremiah’s sole purpose was to expose the sins of God’s chosen nation and to clearly explain the reason for the approaching (70 Year) disaster, which would be lead by Babylon, during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar.

“The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.”

(Harvest: The reaping is over, time for in gathering is complete: Summer: Corporate America it’s evaluation time; time for teachers to prep for the new school year, Town officials get ready for the returning college students . . . . .)

What does this mean to us: Lost time with family, back to school, being away from family, vacations are over, summer chores not completed, time to prep for winter. . . . . . .

• Literal Meaning: Two Seasons to get their act together

• Metaphorically: They missed the blessings of God.

One might ask: What lead to the invasion and ultimately the exile on the Israelites?

Jeremiah 1:16 “I will utter My judgments against them concerning all their

wickedness, because they have forsaken Me, Burned incense to other gods,

And worshiped the works of their own hands.”

In other words, what’s happening to the Israelites is obvious; they have forgotten their first love as did the Church at Ephesus in Revelation 2:4-5

Forgotten Your First Love:

Revelation 2:4-5: “Yet I have this against you—that you no longer love Me as you did at first. Be mindful, therefore, of the height from which you have fallen. Repent at once, and act as you did at first, or else I will surely come and remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.”

God’s Law via the Ten Commandments:

Exodus 20: 2-3: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of

the house of bondage. “You shall have no other gods before Me.

Exodus 20: 4-5: “Do not make idols that look like anything in the sky or on earth or in the

ocean under the earth. Don’t bow down and worship idols. I am the LORD your God, and

I demand all your love. If you reject me, I will punish your families for three or four

generations.

Turn to your neighbor: 1.) What awful disaster is approaching you?

2.) What Dramatic Change is coming Your Way?

3.) Are you ignoring the warnings of God (God’s Word)?

My brothers and sisters, I wish that none of the disaster that Jeremiah is prophesying come upon you, or that you even find yourself in position where God’s wrath in aimed at you.

God’s personal message of warning to Jeremiah,

Jeremiah 1:19 “They will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you. For I am

with you,” says the Lord, “to deliver you.”

Upon delivering his message, Jeremiah encountered much hardship:

• The People of “his hometown” Plotted Against him - Jeremiah 11:18-23

• Jeremiah was Put in Stocks for Prophesying in Judah - Jeremiah 20:1-6

• People Plotting Against Him from the beginning – Jeremiah 20: 7-18

• The Priests and Prophets sought Jeremiah’s life - Jeremiah 26:7-11

• Jeremiah was Locked in a Dungeon - Jeremiah 37:11-21

• Jeremiah Carried Away into Egypt - Jeremiah 43:6

Jeremiah 20:9 “Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His

Name.” But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was

weary of holding it back, And I could not.”

Abraham Lincoln “My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right.”

Turn to your neighbor: 1.) People don’t like bad news, even when it’s good for them.

I. Deceived by Your Comfort

Deception: Speaking what is False as if it’s true; purposefully misleading others; deliberately manipulating others for one on advancement or to cause harm to others.