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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I am determined to ‘see’, to ‘hear,’ and most importantly to obey. Yesterday’s reading, written so very long ago, but looks so much like today it’s scary. It’s a sobering reminder to me to make kingdom choices in my life. Very grateful for this Lenten study to remind me of the consequences of persistent disobedience and God’s great love for me.
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The verses in Jeremiah made me cry this morning. Feeling the weight of my own sin, grieving it. Grieving also for the people of Israel and what they experienced, seeing myself in them. Grieving for all the ways I see our world today in these passages. Feeling my brokenness and it makes me long for the hope and joy of Easter. Grateful.
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In this season I am so happy to read this. Traditions and normal day-to-day thoughts are being questioned. Inpray to hear and see what the lord wants me to do, but the single answer is to love and trust in him humbly.
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through the past week of this reading i have been wondering about the individuals in the city of Israel. were there a few that loved the Lord and desperately sought Him?? were they lumped together with the rest of the sinful people?
this week, i lost someone. my boyfriend, the man who had promised me a future, walked away. he was planning to propose. or so i thought. this relationship was a great blessing in my life, and truly drew me closer to the Lord. instead of pressing in, he gave into worldly temptation and walked away.
his choice has spoken a lot to me, but mostly has spoken deep into my heart, the consequences that our free will has on others.
we’re there israelites that truly loved the Lord, but because of the sins of their brothers and sisters, they were punished?
how is our sin harming those around us? -
Definitely thinking about the upcoming US elections and our responsibility to defend the rights of the needy… also, Jeremiah 6:14 – “They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying ‘Peace, peace’ when there is no peace.” How often have I made small attempts to make a wrong thing right, but the deeper wound remains unhealed, or worse, unacknowledged?
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❤️
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Thank you for this. Father help me not to harden my heart, help me to hear You and obey. In Jesus name Amen
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I love the picture of purifying silver…bringing all the impurities to the top. With Jesus, He wants to do that for me. He wants to bring the impurities out of out and wipe them away, so that I can look more and more like him. I’ll never be perfect, but each day will grow closer to his heart. Praying I would see the parts of me that need to be purified, and surrender them over to Jesus. Lay them at the cross. They were buried in the grave, and because of Christ I can live in the freedom of his resurrection and new life. Praise God!!
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What a POWERFUL WORD today! This has blessed my spirit. This reminds me of 2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will heal their land.” We stand in such a time such as this.
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