Return to God 1

Return O faithless sons; I will heal your faithlessness, Behold we come to you, for you are the Lord our God. Jeremiah 3: 22

Jeremiah's message was consistent : Return to God and He will bless the land (Jer. 4:2).

How do we do we return? How do we repent? How do we get back to God? 

• Know that it is God's will that we return. So we begin with God's assurance of hope that does not disappoint. He wants us back. He wants all of us to return. (Although this was written to the Jews, this is now true for the Gentiles too. A Gentile is anyone who is not a Jew).  
• If we are planning to return to God we need to make sure our return is with a whole heart. Some return reluctantly or for other reasons like duty or emotions. Jeremiah's message is for a  complete turn from the past and commitment to repentance and restoration of what was lost.
• Acknowledge sins. God already knows about these things and all you are really doing by ackowledging your sins is admitting that you were off the mark, or into things that were out of bounds or rebelling against God's plan. We are sinners and the evidence is against us. Plea guilt and accept forgiveness in our Savior's name. Otherwise you walk around with a burden and could backslide.
• Go directly to God and his Word. He has a plan for a future and a hope. You'll find it when you return. When you get off track there is always other ways that seem rational. Be careful, that way could lead to destruction. Stay on track by staying true to His Word.
• Give up the things that stand in your way of your return. Find the true path. Ignore obstacles that block your view. Tear down distractions.      

Spiritual people also struggle with returning to God. See what Jesus said to Peter after the last supper.  Read Luke 22: 31-34. Jesus prays that Peter's faith will not fail.  

Once a Choice Vine, Now a Wild Vine, Jer 2:21

Jer. 2:21 Yet I planted you a choice vine wholly of pure seed How then have you turned degenerate and become a wild vine?

Jeremiah, the prophet continues to speak out to the people. Up to this point God lists intolerable grievances. But this admonition is more personal. You have turned degenerate and are a wild vine. What is their response? “It is hopeless, for I have loved foreigners and after them I will go” (2:25). No shame.

When Israel entered the Promised Land, the land was rich, a beautiful land of milk and honey. This land was to always be their land. This land is where God Himself would dwell and where He would establish His sanctuary. The land was holy and the inheritance which was entrusted to Israel. After many years the sanctuary was still attended but the temple was a place they practiced rituals without heart. The people had adopted new gods that influenced their methods of living. These new ways replaced God’s ways.   

What does it mean that God planted a choice vine wholly of pure seeds? This vine is firm and steadfast- it is true.  The wild vine is foreign; not steady or lawful. It doesn’t belong in the beautiful land. Yet the people cling to it.

Apply: A citizen of a nation is entrusted to keep the land and good stewards of all the God gives us. Are we handing God-given land to strangers? Do we lose something if we do– become someone else in the process? Why would this offense matter so much to God?

Background references:   

Ex. 15:17-18 You will bring them in and plant them in your own mountain, the place O Lord, which you have made for your own abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established. The Lord will reign forever and ever. (After the exodus, in the wilderness, God promised the land)

Isaiah 5:1-2 Let me sing for my beloved, my love song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He dug it and cleared it of stones and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it and he looked for it to yield grapes but it yielded wild grapes. (This passage is addressed to Israel when they began to follow other gods during Isaiah’s time.)

Also look at these relevant passages: Parable of the eagles and vine (Ezekiel 15) and Parable of the Vine (John 15) 

Broken Cisterns. Jeremiah 2:13

For My people have committed two evils,: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water. Jer. 2:13 

What's wrong with a broken cistern? In Israel, the cistern collected the run off water- not fresh running water (the best source) or water that came from a well (a good source) but from run off water, a much less desirable source for water. Then, if a cistern was cracked or broken, the purest water of that water leaked out- leaving only sludge.  

A broken cistern has no value. God says they have forsaken Him- the fountain of living waters (the best option) and settled by making themselves a broken cistern that can not hold water. 

As this section continues (Jer. 2: 14-19) this is an intentional choice, they are settling for water from Egypt or water from Assyria. This is not in line with God's will. Stubborn people go their own way and do not fear God. 

Why do you think the illustration of broken cisterns might be an affront to God?  

For cultural context, see what happens in times of drought in Jer. 14:3. and Elijah's drought in 1 Kings 18:5. Also, the cistern is referenced as a promise from the king of Assyria in 2 Kings 18:31. Do you see a connection?

Do you see any relevance today- as His people are we settling for less than God's best? 

Additional Passages:

David says… For with You is the fountain of life; In your light we see light. Ps. 36:9

Jesus says to the woman at the well…but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become  in him a well of water springing up to eternal life. John 4:14

What Injustice? Jeremiah 2:5

Thus says the Lord. "What injustice did your fathers find in Me that they went far from Me and walked after emptiness and became empty?" Jeremiah 2:5

God set Israel apart for holy purposes. His people became faithless. They were once loyal and faithful. They once listened and obeyed the covenant. Now, they are empty and worthless, putting their trust in worthless idols. What happened? God asks if it was His doing. 

Jeremiah's confrontation is God building a case against the people. Who is responsible? Did God let the ball drop or was Israel at fault? 

How do empty pursuits affect the person who has made a commitment to follow God?

Additional references to this passage:

What more was there to do for my vineyard that I have not done in it? Why, when I expected it to produce good grapes did it produce worthless ones? Is. 5:4

Even though they knew God they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations and their foolish heart was darkened. Romans 1:21

Jeremiah 2: Mutual Devotion in the Wilderness

I remember concerning you the devotion of your youth, the love of your betrothals, your following Me in the wilderness in a land not sown. Israel was holy to the Lord, the first of His harvest. Jer. 2: 2-3

When Israel left Egypt they probably would not have chosen to reach the Promised Land via the wilderness. The direct route to the Promised Land was not in God's plan, He chose the the route through the Red Sea and into the wilderness (Ex. 13:17). The wilderness experience was almost like a honeymoon, they were led by the pillar of fire by night and a protective cloud by day to each destination. The relationship between God and His people became an unbreakable bond. The Israelites were blessed in their wanderings and never lacked for anything (Deut 2:7) 

What if God hand handed over the Promised Land after leaving Egypt? How different would Israel's relationship with God be? In the wilderness the people established the covenant law, a civil society and exact patterns and rituals for worshipping God. With this established, the people could enter into a real relationship with God. God who was far off became near.

It must have been a precious to remember building this lasting foundation with what He now calls His people. God remembered that. The love. How they followed Him in a land not sown. How they put their trust in Him. And they were holy to Him, the very first of His harvest.      

"All who ate of it became guilty; evil came upon them" declares the Lord.