Promising Peace
Jeremiah was a prophet sent to Israel to warn them of their impending exile to Babylon for their many sins. He was not the only prophet sent to Israel both before and during the Babylonian exile with this message. However, they were not the only ones delivering a message to Israel.
During the period of Jeremiah there were many false prophets who came with a very different message.
They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.
Jeremiah 6:14
Their message seemed like a balm on the injury of the messages of coming judgement. A message of war and captivity would be very distressing. Therefore, many of the prophets and priests in Israel, rather than accept the truth, decided it would be better for everyone if they believed things were okay.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
Proverbs 27:6
As this proverb expresses so well, the “light healing” by promises of peace would do nothing to stop the greater pain that they were about to experience.
Everyone Goes Down With the Ship
The leaders of Israel realized that they were guilty. Not only were they personally sinful but as authorities they had led others into the same. If the people took these harbingers of coming judgement seriously, many could turn from their own sins. In doing so, they would also be turning from these evil guides. The false message of peace was intended to prevent this. Rather than repentance, these false prophets and crooked priests hoped to dull the senses of the people to keep their place.
Were they ashamed when they committed abomination?
Jeremiah 6:15
No, they were not at all ashamed;
they did not know how to blush.
Therefore they shall fall among those who fall;
at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown,”
says the Lord.
They would share their fate with those they had deceived. Rather than take the hard path of repentance with their people, which would have required humility and admission of their shameful behavior. Instead they chose to cling to what they had and therefore would be totally overthrown.
From Family to Capital
There are many authorities in our life and most of us are authorities ourselves in some sphere. Whether we be parents, pastors, business owners, or mayors, we have a responsibility to be sober about sin and the destruction that comes with it. While it may feel like our first responsibility is to keep things calm, to avoid any boat rocking, the reality is that can often just be an excuse to avoid the reality that there are real problems.
Rather than heal people lightly with messages of easy and peace, we must be honest about sin even when emotions could run hot and those under our authority may become angry. If Jeremiah were sent to the average American congregation today, he would quickly be labeled divisive because his message would rock the boat. However, wisdom is justified by her children. The leaders who are concerned first with keeping things calm and peaceful are simply ushering in a fall far greater than the disruption that honesty would cause.
We should be very careful if we spend more time covering over things and dealing in pleasantries than confronting the truth.
