Jeremiah was a reluctant draftee into prophetic ministry. He didn’t think he was qualified to confront His people about their sin (1:6). But God convinced him otherwise. In some ways, he was just the man for the job. He knew them as well as anyone because he lived among them. He was devastated over the impending judgment that was coming upon Judah (4:19-21). He was aware of just how stubborn they were and even made excuses for them (5:3-4). He was appalled at how far they had strayed from God (5:30-31). Is it any wonder that the frustration level of the prophet finally bubbles over? “To whom shall I speak and give warning that they may hear? Behold, their ears are closed and they cannot listen. Behold, the word of the Lord has become a reproach to them; they have no delight in it” (6:10).
The problem with refusing to listen to God is that, sooner or later, the time will come when you cannot listen to Him. Many in Judah had reached that point. They had stubbornly ignored the word of God for so long that they had become spiritually deaf. And the inability to hear God had dangerous consequences. They eventually came to view the word of God with contempt. What had been a delight became a reproach to them.
Avoiding spiritual deafness requires focus and determination. A preventative treatment regimen is found in Psalm 1:1-3: “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.” Lord, I pray that Your words will always be a delight to my ears!
God loves you!
Mike
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