Jeremiah 17:9

Today's Evil

"And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I have been a rebuker of them all." (Hosea chapter 5:2)

When we look at society today, we think, "What is happening to this world? Has everyone gone mad?" I am quite sure that many asked the same questions in the days of Hosea. You see, men haven't changed much since being expelled from the garden of Eden. Jeremiah said it this way, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). Yes, man hasn't changed much, the heart is still exceedingly wicked. Isn't it ironic that, though God rebukes men, they still continue in their sin? The Lord says here that, not only are they continuing in their sin, but they are "profound to make slaughter" and kill anyone that gets in their way. Revolt will always lead further sin, because it is rebellion, "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry." (1 Samuel 15:23).

Friends, our God will rebuke evil, be sure of that. We so often, and so easily stray away from His good grace, but He still loves us enough to bring us back to Him. Only those who are totally reprobate will continue in sins downward path, and God will still rebuke them all the way. Of course, today things are different for the church, God will not forsake us, ever! We may lose His greater blessings, and forfeit a sweet relationship with Him, but we will never be totally cast aside, as Judah and Israel may have been, as a whole. Even then, God still has His remnant, those who hold fast to the Lord, and continue in His way and His Word. The pride of Israel would destroy them (v. 5) and they will take Ephraim and Judah with them, so that God will withdraw Himself from them (v.6). Thank God for His grace! That grace will not allow Him to leave us, no, not for a moment, nor forsake us altogether as one might abandon another. He said in Hebrews 13:5 (in part) "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" and, as the old saying goes, "you can take that to the bank"!

--Marty Dunn

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