Jeremiah 3

What a heartrending and eye-opening chapter. The Lord's love and jealousy can be felt throughout His call for the chosen people's return. How foolish the people were to reject the mercy of God to return to Him after playing the harlot (vs. 6,7)? How often do we fall into the same pit? Is it because of mere oblivion or is because of shame that we fail to accept His mercy? If it is mere oblivion, then we must examine ourselves and reveal to ourselves the harlot that is covert. If it is shame, then we must wake up and ask the Lord for courage to face Him once again. Would not the Bible be written in vain if the denouement of it all is for us to falter away because we are ashamed of our deeds? And because of it, feel the unworth to face the Lord? Which ultimately makes us a repudiator of God's mercy and love and His sacrifice.

If the denouement of our story is for us to fall away because of sin, then why would Jesus have to die for us? Wouldn't the ending be accomplished without such a great sacrifice? Wouldn't we have died because of sin anyway? Now, Jesus came to sacrifice Himself to change our fate. That is, to give us the hope of life after sin. Then, why are we refusing His call to 'Return'?

It is foolish for human beings to reject God, but it is even more foolish when one falls right after seeing his companion fall. Isn't the sole purpose of history to serve as a warning for the present? Then why is it that Judah, after seeing Israel play the harlot and was put away by God went on to play the harlot also (vs. 8). Pondering upon that verse, Judah is definitely foolish and worthy of reproach. But to see it in perspective, aren't we following in Judah's footsteps? Aren't we falling into sin anyway after seeing one of our brethrens fall? Did their story serve as a warning for us or merely a story in the ear? Why must we have the same ending as Judah and not wake up after seeing Israel's 'certificate of divorce'?

Yet, even with all the faults of the chosen people, God calls out to them ,"Return, backsliding Israel...And I will not cause My anger to fall on you; For I am merciful...And I will not remain angry forever. Only acknowledge your iniquity, that you have transgressed against the Lord your God" (vs. 12,13). Doesn't your heart break after reading this verse? Even after we've 'cheated' on God, He still waits for our return. Shall we shy away from the love of God now? If we do, who else can help us? Isn't God the only one who gives life? If we are then dead because of sin, would we not need the fountain of living waters, that is God? What is it we are waiting for?

The Lord went on to tell His fallen people, "Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings" (vs. 22). How persistent is His love? Can anyone ever match it? Time after time we have transgressed against Him and played the harlot with the lusts of this world, yet, He awaits us to heal us. How long will we keep Him waiting? Isn't it time to make the determination to return to His shelter and protection? Isn't it time to answer the Lord's loving call for our return?