Minister's Corner - 218 The Sad Condition Of Judah

“5 Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return… 20 The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved” (Jeremiah 8:5, 20, KJV).

Loved ones, the above two verses in the 8th chapter of Jeremiah tell us something about the condition of Judah in that time period. They were “slidden back by a perpetual backsliding” and as a result, they were “not saved.”

These people had experienced the special love of God. In the summer of God's care for them, they had on the whole committed spiritual adultery by worshiping other gods. When the time of harvest came, they could bring nothing to the Lord of Harvest. Their terrible plight was that they were not saved, and the context of Chapter 20 gives the reasons. As a result of their unfaithfulness and backsliding, they were sent into captivity for seventy long years (Jeremiah 25:11-12; 29:10).

Today, God has given us His wonderful and precious word: “1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:1-4).

By learning, obeying, and living by that Word, we can have our sins remitted and have the hope of the eternal home. Yet, many, like the Jews of that day, are lost and seem so unconcerned. One day the summer will be gone; the time to obey (harvest) will pass; and many will awaken to the awful realization that they are not saved. Sadly, they will meet their Maker in this condition. Are you saved – saved according to the directions found in God's Word? God is so good. Love you. Samuel – 19 July 26