“A Glory Abandoned”

Oct.24, 2010 Jer.2:4-13    Play AUDIO (mp3)  Play VIDEO (320x240 wmv, 218 kbps)

COLONELS AND CAMELS IN HEAT

•    base commander’s base desires drove hidden criminal life
•    Judah’s lust for idols led to perversion (2:23f; 3:21)

A SENSELESS INFIDELITY AFTER A GOOD START

•    began by returning God’s love, led into a rich land (2:2,21; 3:19; Eph 2:4ff)
•    both people and leaders addicted to ‘worthless idols’, detestable practices (2:25; 2Kings 21:9,22, 23:7; 2Chron 33)
•    pictures of apostasy: dry cracked cisterns; unforgettable jewellery (2:13,32)
•    exchanged Glory unlike other nations faithful to their gods (2:10f)

CONSEQUENCES OF CANTANKEROUSNESS

•    God’s charges against, as in courtroom (2:9, 12,31)
•    turned into wild vine though should have learned from northern kingdom’s fate (2:21, 30; 3:8ff)
•    judgment from northern nations like boiling pot, because worship other gods (2:35; 1:13f; 2:14f,17)

GETTING BACK TO OUR FIRST LOVE

•    Jesus warned hard-working church of danger of forsaking first love (2:2f; Rev 2:2ff)
•    repent, admit guilt, acknowledge dryness (2:13, 22, 35)
•    identify your idols / charms / obsessions (2:20, 32)
•    hold God in awe: make Him your ‘glory’ / portion (2:11,19; Ps 73:23ff)
•    stop taking it out on others, gunny-sacking (‘innocent blood’: 2:34)
•    be a blessing: truthful, just, righteous (4:1f)