Why then have these people turned away? Why does Jerusalem always turn away? They cling to deceit; they refuse to return. Why then have these people turned away?This phrase reflects God's lament over the persistent unfaithfulness of His people, Israel. The question implies a sense of bewilderment and sorrow from God, who has consistently shown mercy and provided guidance. The turning away signifies a deliberate choice to abandon God's covenant, echoing the recurring theme of Israel's spiritual adultery found throughout the Old Testament. This turning away can be seen as a rejection of God's law and a preference for idolatry, as seen in passages like Hosea 11:7, where God expresses similar sentiments about Israel's stubbornness. Why does Jerusalem always turn away?
Jerusalem, as the capital city, represents the heart of the nation and its spiritual state. The city's repeated turning away highlights a pattern of rebellion and apostasy. Historically, Jerusalem was the center of worship and the location of the Temple, making its unfaithfulness particularly grievous. This phrase underscores the city's role in leading the nation astray, as seen in the actions of its leaders and prophets who often led the people into idolatry and injustice, as documented in 2 Kings 21:11-15. The phrase also foreshadows the eventual destruction of Jerusalem as a consequence of its persistent sin. They cling to deceit;
This part of the verse points to the people's embrace of falsehoods and lies, both in their personal lives and in their religious practices. The deceit may refer to false prophets who misled the people with messages of peace and security when judgment was imminent, as seen in Jeremiah 6:14. It also suggests a self-deception, where the people convince themselves that they are secure despite their disobedience. This clinging to deceit is a willful act, indicating a preference for comforting lies over the hard truth of God's impending judgment. they refuse to return.
The refusal to return signifies a stubborn resistance to repentance and reconciliation with God. Despite numerous warnings and calls to repentance through prophets like Jeremiah, the people persist in their rebellion. This refusal is not due to ignorance but a deliberate choice, highlighting the hardness of their hearts. The concept of returning, or repentance, is central to the prophetic message, as seen in passages like Isaiah 30:15, where God calls His people to return and find salvation. This refusal ultimately leads to the fulfillment of prophetic warnings of exile and destruction, serving as a sobering reminder of the consequences of unrepentant sin. Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. His ministry spanned over 40 years during a tumultuous period in Israel's history. 2. JerusalemThe capital city of Judah, representing the spiritual and political heart of the nation. It is often used symbolically to refer to the people of Judah as a whole. 3. The People of JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, who were repeatedly warned by prophets like Jeremiah to turn from their sinful ways and return to God. 4. DeceitThe falsehoods and lies that the people of Judah clung to, which led them away from the truth of God's word. 5. Turning AwayThe act of apostasy or backsliding, where the people of Judah repeatedly turned away from God despite His calls for repentance. Teaching Points The Danger of DeceitDeceit is not just a lie we tell others; it is a lie we live. The people of Judah clung to deceit, which led them away from God. We must examine our lives for any falsehoods we might be holding onto. The Call to ReturnGod continually calls His people to return to Him. Despite our failures, His grace is always available. We must be willing to repent and turn back to God. The Consequences of Turning AwayTurning away from God leads to spiritual decay and judgment. We must remain vigilant in our faith and not allow ourselves to drift from God's truth. The Role of Prophets and ScriptureJust as Jeremiah was sent to warn Judah, God uses His Word and His messengers today to guide us back to Him. We should heed the warnings and teachings found in Scripture. The Importance of TruthEmbracing truth is essential for a healthy relationship with God. We must seek truth in our personal lives and in our communities, rejecting deceit and falsehood. Bible Study Questions 1. What are some modern-day "deceits" that people might cling to, and how can we guard against them in our own lives? 2. How does the concept of "turning away" manifest in today's society, and what steps can we take to ensure we remain faithful to God? 3. In what ways can we actively "return" to God when we recognize we've strayed from His path? 4. How can the warnings and teachings of prophets like Jeremiah be applied to our current spiritual journey? 5. What role does community play in helping us stay true to God's Word and avoid the pitfalls of deceit? Connections to Other Scriptures Hosea 11:7This verse also speaks of the people's tendency to turn away from God, highlighting the persistent nature of Israel's unfaithfulness. Isaiah 30:9-11These verses describe a rebellious people who prefer deceit over truth, similar to the deceit mentioned in Jeremiah 8:5. 2 Timothy 4:3-4In the New Testament, Paul warns of a time when people will turn away from the truth and gather teachers who say what their itching ears want to hear, echoing the deceitful turning away seen in Jeremiah. People Dan, JeremiahPlaces Dan, Gilead, Jerusalem, ZionTopics Always, Apostasy, Backsliding, Cling, Continual, Deceit, Fast, Hold, Jerusalem, Kept, Perpetual, Refuse, Refused, Return, Slidden, Turn, Turning, WhereforeDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 8:5 6628 conversion, God's demand 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 8:5 NIVJeremiah 8:5 NLTJeremiah 8:5 ESVJeremiah 8:5 NASBJeremiah 8:5 KJV
Jeremiah 8:5 Commentaries
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