Jeremiah 2:20-25

We saw yesterday how God’s own people had ‘’exchanged their Glory for worthless idols.’’ (11). They had swapped the true God for false gods. At that time ‘Baalism’ was rife in the land, with its promiscuous sexual rites that were part of pagan worship. You will not be able to miss the powerful sexual imagery in the text, portraying the people of God as spiritually wanton (see 20b and 23-25 especially.) They lusted after other gods. Spiritually speaking they were a people of easy virtue. They were adulterous, for were they not married to the Lord? (2:1-3). They were unfaithful to their Heavenly Spouse, running after other ‘lovers’.

What about you, and me? Are there things in our lives that matter more to us than pursuing the Lord our God and loving Him with all our heart and soul and mind and strength.

In (23-27) the people of Jeremiah’s day are compared to animals searching for mates in the mating season. The people ran wildly after their idols. They became so comfortable in their sin that they could not consider giving it up. They just had to have what they were going after with abandon. They couldn’t think of life without their gods.

Sin so defiles that no cleansing agent on earth can remove the stain (22). But God is willing to wash us if we are willing to be made clean (Isaiah 1:18; Ezekiel 36:25).Look also at 1 John 1:7-9. The ninth verse has been called ‘the Christian’s bar of soap.’ For all who truly repent; who confess and forsake their sin, there is cleansing in the precious blood of Jesus.

Where do you need to ask for cleansing today? Don’t doubt the efficacy of Christ’s blood. The most stubborn sin stain will be banished at its application.

‘’Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.’’ (1 John 5:21).

Prayer: Lord please forgive me for all my disloyalty, and the hurt I cause you my Heavenly Bridegroom by my unfaithfulness.