GRACE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP | 恩道堂

Judah’s sin is engraved deep into their hearts so that her idolatry is incorrigible by human means. They trust pagan nations to protect them instead of God. Such evil will only result in desolation not fruitfulness. Ironically, they will not obtain the very thing that they desire, but will instead receive the opposite of their desire. No matter how much God reaches out to them, they will not listen. Their hearts are deceitful and desperately sick. This is to show that only the coming Messiah can save them.

In spite of Jeremiah’s difficulties, he is committed to continue to be God’s prophet. He will continue to be Israel’s shepherd (leader) and will not desire bad things for them (day of sickness). He can do this because he trusts in God’s promise to protect him. Jeremiah also calls upon God to destroy those who persecute him, like the psalmists in imprecatory psalms (Ps. 143:12). Jeremiah both loves his people and hates their sins just as Jesus both loves people and hates their sins (Mark 3:5). He loves them, but when they commit outrageous sins he calls for justice. There is no contradiction. This is right living with loving attitude and proper justice.

Sabbath is the sign of the Mosaic covenant between God and the Jews, but not the church, (Ex. 31:16-17, Col. 2:16). It is also part of the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:8). Therefore, it is a big deal to break the Sabbath for the Jews. Sabbath is also a foreshadow of believers’ rest in Jesus (Heb. 4:1). It is also a way to prevent idol worship by highlighting God as creator, not idols. God is the creator and provider, He is able to provide for them while they rest, which is not being lazy.

The heart of non-believers are deceitful and desperately sick, especially those who are entrenched in deep, evil idol worship like the Jews. As believers we need to learn to deal wisely with non-believers but at the same time be righteous (Matt. 10:16). It is also important not to be overly suspicious to believers in the church or to sinfully judge someone’s heart motive instead of their actions (1 Cor. 4:5). Such sinful, suspicious judgement of people’s motives will not create a healthy environment for saints to grow, but will create an unhealthy environment of distrust and distance. Pray that you will have wisdom to deal with non-believers and love for believers in the church.

犹大的罪铭刻在其心中，以至她的偶像敬拜变得无可救药。他们不信靠神，反期待信奉异教的列国能给予保护。这样的恶行只会导致荒凉，无法结果子。讽刺的是，他们将得到的与所祈望的恰好相反。无论神多么努力地向其招手，他们充耳不闻。他们的心是狡诈并且病入膏肓了。这表示只有即将到的弥赛亚才能拯救他们。

尽管困难重重，耶利米还是承诺继续作神的先知。他将继续当以色列的牧者（领导者），不希望坏事（灾殃的日子）临到他们。他之所以能如此行是因为他相信神的承诺，必保护他。耶利米也像诅咒诗的诗人一样，呼唤神毁灭那些逼迫他的人（诗143:12）。耶利米就像耶稣一样，爱其百姓同时也厌恶他们的罪（马3:5）。这之间没有矛盾存在。这是具备爱的态度与恰当公义的正确生活。

安息日是神与犹太人通过摩西所立之约的记号（出31:16-17；西2:16）。它也是十诫的一部分（出20:8）。因此对犹太人而言，不遵守安息日是一大问题。安息日也是信徒在耶稣内安息的预兆（来4:1）。这也突出神而非偶像为创造者，以此防止偶像敬拜的一种方式。神是创造者与供应者，祂有能力在人安息之时供应他们，而不是叫人变懒惰。