Peace, peace ∙

Peace, peace ∙

“Peace peace,” they say, when there is no peace. – Jeremiah 8:11

Jeremiah 8:8-15

 8 How can you say, “We are wise because we have the word of the LORD,” when your teachers have twisted it by writing lies?

 9 These wise teachers will fall into the trap of their own foolishness, for they have rejected the word of the LORD. Are they so wise after all?

 10 . . . Their lives are ruled by greed. Yes, even my prophets and priests are like that. They are all frauds.

 11 They offer superficial treatments for my people’s mortal wound. They give assurances of peace when there is no peace.

 12 Are they ashamed of these disgusting actions? Not at all – they don’t even know how to blush! Therefore, they will lie among the slaughtered. They will be brought down when I punish them, says the LORD.

 15 We hoped for peace, but no peace came. We hoped for a time of healing, but found only terror.

Contestants in American beauty pageants when asked what they want most in life, repeat the somewhat hackneyed phrase that desired “world peace.” In the year 2000, the movie Miss Congeniality was released in American movie theaters. It starred Sandra Bullock as an FBI agent. A bomb threat had been made against the Miss United States beauty pageant. Sandra Bullock had to go undercover to prevent the bombing. Playing a matter-of-fact, hardened FBI Special Agent, when asked what she wanted, answered, “I really do just want world peace!”

If humanity finds the solution for world peace it will be the most revolutionary reversal of its record, we have ever known (General George C. Marshall).

I call upon the scientific community in our country, those who gave us nuclear weapons, to turn their great talents now to the cause of mankind and world peace: to give us the means of rendering these nuclear weapons impotent and obsolete (President Ronald Reagan).

The Father’s prophets warned the nation of Israel that if they did not adhere to the Father’s law judgment would come. Now, the ax was about the fall. The opportunity for repentance had passed. Prayer and furtive intercession could not change that. Death and destruction were now certain. Not even if the most righteous and faithful Old Testament members of the Father’s Hall of Faith could avert the coming disaster.

Ezekiel 14:14 Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, their righteousness would save no one but themselves, says the Sovereign LORD.

But at the same time, circa 600 BC, there were many false prophets among the people. They were predicting peace, not destruction. But the Father’s prophets Ezekiel and Jeremiah stood tall and stood alone. Tragically, the people ignored them, as they had done previously with so many of the Father’s servants that came before them.

Jeremiah reminded the people that the Father had said.

Jeremiah 7:23-26

 23 This is what I told them: “Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!”

 24 “But my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward.”

 25 “From the day your ancestors left Egypt until now, I have continued to send my servants, the prophets – day in and day out.”

 26 “But my people have not listened to me or even tried to hear.”

REFLECT & PRAY

So many say they want “World Peace.” However, peace will be elusive for humanity, because so many ignore the Father God and His Son, The Prince of Peace.

Father thank You that You promised us, “Peace on earth and goodwill toward men.” Thank You that the Prince of Peace has come into the hearts of all those who have accepted Him.

INSIGHT

Jeremiah 8:8-15 is a scathing denunciation and condemnation of Judah’s “spiritual leaders.” Their words were filled with false claims and assertions. They deceitfully declared that they knew the Father’s word, were handling it correctly and faithfully obeying it. But that was only because their understanding of the Word was perverted and twisted (Jeremiah 8:8).

Nothing much has changed in the last 2600 years; the same thing is going on today among many of the “spiritual leaders” in our times.

2 Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves.

2 Peter 3:16 Those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.

Not only did Jeremiah expose these “wise men” as frauds and unscrupulous interpreters of the Father’s truth, but he also accuses them of living only for money, self-aggrandizement, and perpetuating their own deceit (Jeremiah 8:9-10).

Perhaps they didn’t know the truth or simply ignored it. Regardless, they blatantly lied to the people. They told them all is well. But nothing could be further from the truth. They declared, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace (Jeremiah 8:11).

All these things were bad enough in and of themselves. But perhaps the worst of all is that the leaders were not the least bit ashamed of their conduct. Things were bad, but they were going to get much worse. In the coming destruction, they would get exactly what they had coming to them because of their deceits and loathsome lifestyles. When the false shepherds face the Father’s justice, things will not and well for them.

Jeremiah 8:12 Are they ashamed of these disgusting actions? Not at all – they don’t even know how to blush! Therefore, they will lie among the slaughtered. They will be brought down when I punish them, says the LORD.

In our present world, peace remains elusive. The source of conflict is our rebellion against the Father. The sin of the human race has robbed the planet Earth of peace.

World peace will only come when the Prince of Peace returns from heaven, ends all war. And sets up His kingdom. Peace will reign for a thousand years.

But individually each of the children of the King can experience personal peace right now

Romans 5:1 We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

Revelation 22:20 Come, Lord Jesus!

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 3-27-2

© Dr. H 2022