Listen to the cry of the daughter of my people from a land far away: "Is the LORD no longer in Zion? Is her King no longer there?" "Why have they provoked Me to anger with their carved images, with their worthless foreign idols?" Listen to the cry of the daughter of my people from a land far away:This phrase captures the lament of the Israelites, who are experiencing the consequences of their disobedience. The "daughter of my people" refers to the nation of Israel, often personified as a daughter in prophetic literature. The "land far away" suggests exile, a punishment for their idolatry and unfaithfulness. Historically, this points to the Babylonian exile, a significant event where many Israelites were taken from their homeland. The cry indicates a deep sense of loss and longing for restoration. “Is the LORD no longer in Zion? Is her King no longer there?”
These rhetorical questions express the people's despair and confusion. Zion, a term for Jerusalem, was the spiritual center where the Temple stood, symbolizing God's presence among His people. The absence of the LORD and the King signifies a perceived abandonment. This reflects the covenantal relationship where God's presence was conditional upon Israel's faithfulness. Theologically, it underscores the importance of God's presence and the consequences of sin. It also foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of God's presence through Jesus Christ, who is often seen as the true King and the embodiment of God's presence. “Why have they provoked Me to anger with their carved images, with their worthless foreign idols?”
This phrase highlights the reason for God's anger: idolatry. The Israelites had turned to "carved images" and "worthless foreign idols," violating the first two commandments. This idolatry was not just a religious failure but a breach of the covenant relationship with God. The use of "worthless" emphasizes the futility and emptiness of these idols compared to the living God. Biblically, this theme of idolatry is recurrent, warning against the dangers of turning away from God. It also serves as a call to repentance and a return to true worship, which is ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who calls believers to worship in spirit and truth. Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahThe prophet who conveyed God's messages to the people of Judah, warning them of impending judgment due to their idolatry and disobedience. 2. The Daughter of My PeopleA poetic expression referring to the people of Judah, often used to convey a sense of endearment and lament over their suffering and spiritual condition. 3. ZionA term often used to refer to Jerusalem, the spiritual and political center of Israel, representing God's dwelling place among His people. 4. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who is questioning the people's faithfulness and their turning to idols. 5. Carved Images and Worthless Foreign IdolsRepresent the idolatry and false worship practices that the people of Judah engaged in, provoking God's anger. Teaching Points The Danger of IdolatryIdolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but anything that takes the place of God in our hearts. We must examine our lives for modern-day idols, such as materialism, power, or relationships. God's Presence and FaithfulnessDespite the people's unfaithfulness, God remains present and faithful. We should seek His presence and trust in His sovereignty, especially in times of distress. The Call to RepentanceGod's questioning of Judah's actions is a call to repentance. We are invited to turn away from sin and return to God, who is ready to forgive and restore. The Consequences of DisobedienceThe suffering of Judah serves as a warning of the consequences of disobedience. We should strive to live in obedience to God's commands to avoid similar outcomes. The Role of Lament in FaithLament is a valid expression of faith, allowing us to bring our sorrows and questions before God. It is a way to seek understanding and comfort in His presence. Bible Study Questions 1. What are some modern-day "idols" that can distract us from our relationship with God, and how can we guard against them? 2. How does understanding God's faithfulness in the past help us trust Him in our current circumstances? 3. In what ways can we practice repentance in our daily lives, and why is it important for our spiritual growth? 4. How can the account of Judah's disobedience and its consequences serve as a warning for us today? 5. How can we incorporate lament into our prayer life, and what benefits might it bring to our relationship with God? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:3-5The commandment against idolatry, highlighting God's expectation for exclusive worship and the consequences of turning to idols. 2 Kings 17:15-18Describes the idolatry of Israel and Judah, leading to their downfall and exile, similar to the context of Jeremiah's warnings. Psalm 115:4-8Contrasts the living God with lifeless idols, emphasizing the futility of idol worship. Isaiah 1:4Speaks of the rebellious nature of the people, similar to Jeremiah's lament over Judah's spiritual state. People Dan, JeremiahPlaces Dan, Gilead, Jerusalem, ZionTopics Afar, Anger, Angry, Behold, Breadth, Cry, Daughter, Distant, Dwell, Engraved, Foreign, Foreigner, Gods, Graven, Hark, Idols, Images, Isn't, Length, Listen, Longer, Provoked, Strange, Vanities, Voice, Wherefore, Within, Worthless, ZionDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 8:19 1025 God, anger of
6218 provoking God Jeremiah 8:18-19 5017 heart, renewal
8713 discouragement Jeremiah 8:18-22 8722 doubt, nature of Library December 8. "Is There no Balm in Gilead; is There no Physician There?" (Jer. viii. 22).
"Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there?" (Jer. viii. 22). Divine healing is just divine life. It is the headship of Christ over the body. It is the life of Christ in the frame. It is the union of our members with the very body of Christ and the inflowing life of Christ in our living members. It is as real as His risen and glorified body. It is as reasonable as the fact that He was raised from the dead and is a living man with a true body and a rational soul to-day, at God's right …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth What have I Done?
The text is "What have I done?" I shall just introduce that by a few words of affectionate persuasion, urging all now present to ask that question: secondly, I shall give them a few words of assistance in trying to answer it; and when I have so done, I shall finish by a few sentences of solemn admonition to those who have had to answer the question against themselves. I. First, then, a few words of EARNEST PERSUASION, requesting every one now present, and more especially every unconverted person, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858 Who Shall Deliver?
"Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?"--JER. viii. 22. "Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto Thee; for Thou art the Lord our God."-JER. iii. 22. "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed."-JER. xii. 14. "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me out of the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession "For they that are after the Flesh do Mind,"
Rom. viii. s 5, 6.--"For they that are after the flesh do mind," &c. "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." There are many differences among men in this world, that, as to outward appearance, are great and wide, and indeed they are so eagerly pursued, and seriously minded by men, as if they were great and momentous. You see what a strife and contention there is among men, how to be extracted out of the dregs of the multitude, and set a little higher …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Letter ii (A. D. 1126) to the Monk Adam
To the Monk Adam [3] 1. If you remain yet in that spirit of charity which I either knew or believed to be with you formerly, you would certainly feel the condemnation with which charity must regard the scandal which you have given to the weak. For charity would not offend charity, nor scorn when it feels itself offended. For it cannot deny itself, nor be divided against itself. Its function is rather to draw together things divided; and it is far from dividing those that are joined. Now, if that …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux Backsliding.
"I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away."--Hosea xiv. 4. There are two kinds of backsliders. Some have never been converted: they have gone through the form of joining a Christian community and claim to be backsliders; but they never have, if I may use the expression, "slid forward." They may talk of backsliding; but they have never really been born again. They need to be treated differently from real back-sliders--those who have been born of the incorruptible …
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It A Book for Boys and Girls Or, Temporal Things Spritualized.
by John Bunyan, Licensed and entered according to order. London: Printed for, and sold by, R. Tookey, at his Printing House in St. Christopher's Court, in Threadneedle Street, behind the Royal Exchange, 1701. Advertisement by the Editor. Some degree of mystery hangs over these Divine Emblems for children, and many years' diligent researches have not enabled me completely to solve it. That they were written by Bunyan, there cannot be the slightest doubt. 'Manner and matter, too, are all his own.'[1] …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 "But Whereunto Shall I Liken this Generation?"
Matth. xi. 16.--"But whereunto shall I liken this generation?" When our Lord Jesus, who had the tongue of the learned, and spoke as never man spake, did now and then find a difficulty to express the matter herein contained. "What shall we do?" The matter indeed is of great importance, a soul matter, and therefore of great moment, a mystery, and therefore not easily expressed. No doubt he knows how to paint out this to the life, that we might rather behold it with our eyes, than hear it with our …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The Intercession of Christ
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us! T he Redemption of the soul is precious. Fools make mock of sin (Proverbs 14:9) . But they will not think lightly of it, who duly consider the majesty, authority, and goodness of Him, against whom it is committed; and who are taught, by what God actually has done, what sin rendered necessary to be done, before a sinner could have a well-grounded …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Jeremiah 8:19 NIVJeremiah 8:19 NLTJeremiah 8:19 ESVJeremiah 8:19 NASBJeremiah 8:19 KJV
Jeremiah 8:19 Commentaries
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