Jeremiah Appointed as Examiner
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Jeremiah 5:14-6:30, Psalm 95:1-11, Micah 6:6-8
BY Rebecca Faires
We used to own a truck with over 300,000 miles on it. I loved driving it. The leather was cracked and most of the dashboard lights were burned out. But easing it down a country road with all the windows down made me feel like the wind was at my back and things were going just my way.
There was one light, however, that wasn’t burned out: the check engine light. I took it to our favorite mechanic and he looked me square in the eye, “Stop driving this vehicle immediately—one wrong bump and the whole chassis is going to collapse off the axle. This truck will fail disastrously, and soon.” Driving home that afternoon, I considered his words: How soon? How ‘disastrous’ are we talking? How big of a bump? He was probably exaggerating—what even is an axle anyway?
Things can look just fine on the surface, but rumbling beneath, the true worth will eventually reveal itself. In the case of my truck, it was a catastrophic failure waiting to happen. I thought I could depend on that old truck, but it couldn’t stand up in a way that mattered desperately. In the case of Israel, God appointed Jeremiah as an “assayer” to determine what they were made of—and if they would be able to stand up (Jeremiah 6:27). An assayer is a “refiner,” one who tests the composition of minerals and determines their value. The Lord goes so far as to declare they are so stubborn that they “are bronze and iron; all of them are corrupt” (v.28). But no amount of blasting with fire will reveal valuable metals because the people have rejected the word of the Lord (v.17).
The culture described in these chapters is a startling reminder of my own: “they have grown powerful and rich… fat and sleek… [and] excelled in evil matters… and they have not defended the rights of the needy” (Jeremiah 5:27–28). God is calling us to listen to His words and turn from the enticements of this world. He warns that we will be measured and the truth of our hearts will be revealed.
Who can stand in the face of such an examination? Even though my friendly truck seemed fine to me, it’s impending disaster could not be hidden from the experienced eye of a mechanic. If we persist in not using our eyes to see or our ears to hear—if we refuse to listen to the Lord, our devastation is sure. Indeed, it is our own sins that withhold the Lord’s bounty from us (Jeremiah 5:25).
If you are determined not to listen, you cannot stand up to a close examination. But set your feet in obedience to the Lord and He will change the quality of your heart, and deeper examination will reveal the value of His own shining goodness in you. Today if you hear His voice—in His word, in His creation, through His people—do not harden your heart, but listen and worship (Psalm 95:8).
75 thoughts on "Jeremiah Appointed as Examiner"
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Some people keep a gallon ziplock bag with socks, toiletries, snacks, etc in their car to pass out to beggars. Go with your gut. God will lead you. God can use you to show love in all kinds of ways. It doesn’t have to be money. But what they do with the money is on them. Sometimes they just need some dignity. Sometimes they need a smile
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Since I stay at home with my baby and don’t bring in a paycheck,I struggle with the tension of feeling like I give what is not mine to give when I give money or food away … so I honestly don’t do it much . I try to compensate by volunteering time at church, but I still feel like God wants me to do more outside the walls of the church. I pray my heart doesn’t harden when opportunities arise to do justice , love kindness , and walk humbly with my God .
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Sweet Mom don’t ever feel like you aren’t doing enough or not contributing because you don’t bring home a paycheck! I went through the same raising three daughters. But time has taught me that what you are doing is the the most important job God has given you! It is hard but hang in there and know what you are doing is right!
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You have time to donate that is your own.
There are local food banks in small communities that need assistance, people in adult family homes that are unvisited, nursing homes with few visitors, children’s hospitals that need people to read stories and sing songs with them, and thrift stores that need help.And, have a conversation with the person who brings home the paycheck. Share what’s on your heart and ideas for helping the disenfranchised. You may see another’s heart moved as well.
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Time is also difficult with a baby—don’t feel judged if you don’t have much of it. I feel this tension, too. I’ve been considering what I can do with what I have. Pray. Donate or sell my things (because I have plenty) and use what I get to give.
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I love how God intersects so much of our lives when we ask for eyes to see, the little things amaze me most.
Referencing what the Holy Spirit gave me on Wednesday is an example-my grandchildren’s bear hunt story, applied to today, and my God hunt. Eyes and heart open, marching forward on this journey to find more of Him, He is faithful. Even using a child’s story book.
Little things:
God has given me specific verses each day to keep in the front of my mind and heart. I’m also reading E.M. Bounds book on prayer. In what I read last night, BOTH verses were referenced.Today’s SRT ends in Micah vs. 8 – which is one of my favorite! The verse printed was, “…to act justly, to love FAITHFULNESS, and to walk humbly with your God.” I’ve always read it as, “…to act justly, love MERCY, and to walk humbly with your God.” Which may not seem like a big deal but, on my “More of God Hunt”, He presently has been speaking to me about prayer and FAITH!
Bounds says, “True godliness is just as important in the realm of FAITH as it is in the area of prayer.”
Which leads right back to the problem with God’s people in today’s SRT readings. They had turned away from God and were serving/worshiping Him in appearance only, not in heart purity or obedience.
In, He Reads Truth, (which is great today), John says, “Would you drink a cup of coffee if one drop of it was something less than good—a spot of bubonic plague perhaps, maybe just a little bit of paint thinner, or a dash of DDT? Probably not. Whether it’s coffee or something else we hope to enjoy, we want purity, plain and simple. Even if ninety-nine percent of the thing is perfect, a little bit of nastiness will ruin the whole batch.”
God’s people were like the old truck Rebecca shares about. They are like the cup of coffee John mentions only with a lot of DDT, not just a drop. It looked like they were doing what they needed to be but, the insides weren’t right, and consequences were coming.
Oh Lord, when the world sees us, may they see You-and may You draw them in like a pure, untainted, sweet latte or a bold, rich coffee (whichever they prefer). Thank you that in this old junker (me) truck’s engine (heart) is being rebuilt by you, and fueled by the blood of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit a little bit more each day. Until the day I come Home and am fully new.
Day 3 for me Lord on this glorious more of You, “God hunt!”
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Great Word pictures! Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you!
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Day 5✅
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I have been recommitting my time with God starting in Lent and Satan has been putting the craziest desires for the wrong kinds of shows, moodiness, etc in me. Stuff I am not usually very tempted with… Lord, help me to surrender all of me to you and help me to resist temptations as you refine me during this wonderful season. I think I was like that old truck and maybe didn’t realize how much refining I really need!
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Me too Ali. I was listening to a new podcast and in the middle of it the Holy Spirit convicted me to turn it off. I have been excited about this season of lent for weeks, but I’ve been so moody this week, wondering why God doesn’t seem close. Maybe satan is working harder to tempt me because if I resist him and and soften my heart to God’s voice this could be a season of growth. Praying for this for all of us during this season of lent!
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Sameeee… I think my will and my discipline is being challenged.
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Praying for you Ali!
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I am in the same boat as far as moodiness goes. It’s not the right time of the month for me to be so grumpy and short towards everything and everyone, especially my husband.
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I’m in the same boat as far as moodiness goes. It’s not the right time of the month for me to be so grumpy. I didn’t think of my poor attitude being from satan but that make perfect sense.
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You are not alone in resisting temptation- I think anytime we move towards God, the enemy is there trying to push us back. I know the experience well. Praying for you as you stand firm in the Spirit and let Him refine you.
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I usually give if it’s laid on my heart and let God be God. When I give even if they ask for food or something I don’t worry if the take the money and do something different because I gave and gave from a good place. A lot of times if I see a sign for food I will just buy it for them.
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I have heard the same comment from many people but I agree if we ignore and do nothing, how are we showing God’s love? I applaud ur tea and food offer!
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I usually ask what they need. If they say booze or pot or some nonsense I tell them I can’t in good conscious buy them that but I’m more than happy to help with food. Just be safe wouldn’t want you to be hurt. Some people on the streets are unstable. It’s best to travel in twos when helping them. Good luck!
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