While the words of Jeremiah were written to Israel during a specific time and place in history, there is a great deal to learn and apply to our lives at this time. Jeremiah wrote about what grieves the heart of God and then petitions them to return to Him.
Referring to the prophets and priests functioning in Jeremiah’s life, the Lord said, “They offer superficial treatments for my people’s mortal wound. They give assurance of peace when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14). The prophets and priests were offering a false peace that aligned with their desires, not to the will of God.
The Lord said, “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path and you will find rest for your souls” (vs. 16). Then the Lord widens his warning to say, “Listen all the earth! I will bring disaster on my people. It is the fruit their own schemes” (vs.19). What was a warning to God’s people became a warning to all the earth regarding the consequence of the Lord’s people not walking in the old, godly ways of God.
The Lord then defines the mission of Jeremiah, “I have made you a tester of metals, that you may determine the quality of my people” (vs. 27). Part of the mission of God’s people is to test the quality of what we are being offered in this life to assay if the offering is truly the gold of God’s truth or a lesser metal.
Looking around at the crossroads where the Church and surrounding culture currently stand, it can seem antiquated and out of touch to choose to live cross-grain with the appeals that a compromised life offers. At that point, we must ask ourselves, “Who are we trying to honor and please?”
The crossroads Jeremiah was speaking about applied to a past moment in time, but they also apply to where we stand now at this present moment in our history. Today, listen to the voices of leaders and prophets who are calling us to return to what has been abandoned. Only on that course will our journey lead us to a place of rest while the world, and some elements within the Church, continue to descend deeper into chaos and perverted interpretations of reality.
“I have made you a tester of metals, that you may determine the quality of my people”
Single-element Purity is one test, often used for precious metals. Other tests are required if a specific property is desired. Gold makes a lousy plow or stewpot. Cast iron, stainless steel, bronze, and Damascus steel all have other attributes of merit. Flight benefits from aluminum or titanium, and electrical conduction has yet other requirements.
Similarly, the various members of the 5-fold and the body of Christ are formed, purified, and alloyed to achieve specific design purposes. May we delight in the designer’s insights and embrace His methods!
If you have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying then you know that Jesus is coming back for what has been abandoned.