Scripture: Jeremiah 2:25-28
Don’t run about until your feet are blistered and your throat is parched. But you say, “What’s the use? I have fallen in love with foreign gods, and I must pursue them.” As a thief is ashamed when caught in his tracks, so the people of Israel are ashamed— their kings, officials, priests, and prophets—when they say to a piece of wood, “You are my father,” and to a stone, “You gave me birth.” They have turned their backs to me and not their faces. Yet in their time of trouble they say, “Arise and save us!” Where are the gods you have made for yourselves? Let’s see if they will come through for you in your time of trouble. You have as many gods, Judah, as you have towns.
Thought for the Day: If you know me, then you know I can be a bit sarcastic (know that my wife upon reading those words chuckled out loud and followed it with a sarcastic comment), and maybe that’s the reason I am drawn to a passage of scripture that appears to use sarcasm. The line, “Let’s see if they (your homemade gods) will come through for you in your time of trouble.” Even though they are words on a page (or screen), you can hear the tone. Sarcasm can be a very effective communication tool, and the prophets appeared to use it on occasion to make a point. Sarcasm has a way of pointing out the stupidity of some idea, such as speaking to a piece of wood or thinking a rock is the source of life. Wood and rocks are important elements in our world, but they are not God. Yet even today, we can worship our homes or other items made of wood or brick. We may not think of it as worship, but if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it just might be idolatry. 🙂
Prayer: Be kind and gentle as you call me back to faithfulness, O Loving God. I know sarcasm works, but I hope you’ll find something else. Amen.
DON’T FORGET
This Sunday
9am – Noon
