(Jer 5:19-25 NLT)
CREATION... THE FALL/BROKENNESS... A PROMISE... THE LAW...
REBELLION
God went to the extreme of putting a system (LAW) in place that would keep the scales balanced - that would keep a right relationship between the Israelites and God. But the people not only rejected God rules, but they reject God Himself. They made a mockery of God, His love, protection, and provision.
The Israelites turned away and worship gods of neighboring nations. They no longer made the animal sacrifices at the temple to keep those scales balanced for a right relationship with the one True God. Instead they sinned greater than even their neighbors, defiling the temples, sacrificing their children, and in so doing totally rejecting God.
God gave them a choice just as He gives us a choice today. God gave them over to the results of those choices and nations came and conquered them taking them into exile.
Even in exile though God's people were not without a choice, nor without hope of God's promise. God sent prophet after prophet to point out to Israel and at times even other nations where they were falling short of God's standard. These prophets encouraged them to turn back to God. They spoke messages of hope in the midst of exile and brokenness. Some turned their hearts back to God. They continued to watch and listen for God's fulfillment of His plan.
"Yet even in those days I will not blot you out completely," says the LORD.
(Jer 5:18 NLT)
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