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.

In American beauty pageants, contestants often express their desire for “world peace” when asked about their greatest wish, a phrase that has become somewhat banal and trite in the 21st century. In the year 2000, the film Miss Congeniality hit theaters, featuring Sandra Bullock as an FBI agent. The plot revolves around a bomb threat targeting the Miss United States pageant, requiring Bullock’s character to go undercover. Despite her tough FBI persona, when asked about her wishes, she humorously responds, “I really do just want world peace!”

General George C. Marshall once remarked that achieving world peace would be the most groundbreaking change in human history. President Ronald Reagan echoed this sentiment, urging the scientific community that developed nuclear weapons to now focus their skills on achieving global peace by making these weapons obsolete.

The prophets of God cautioned Israel that failing to follow His laws would bring judgment. The time for repentance had passed, and impending doom was unavoidable. Even the most devout figures from the Old Testament could not prevent the prophesied disaster.

Ezekiel 14:14 states that even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were present, their righteousness would only save themselves, declares the Sovereign LORD.

Circa 600 BC, false prophets falsely promised peace. Yet, the Father’s true prophets, Ezekiel and Jeremiah, stood firm and alone, delivering messages of impending destruction. Sadly, the people ignored them, just as they had disregarded previous messengers of God.

Jeremiah reminded the people of what God had declared.

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

Many express a desire for “World Peace,” yet true peace will remain out of reach for humanity as long as they overlook God the Father and His Son, the Prince of Peace.

Father, thank You for Your promise of “Peace on earth and goodwill toward men.” We are grateful that the Prince of Peace now resides in the hearts of those who have embraced Him.

INSIGHT

Jeremiah 8:8-15 delivers a scathing denunciation and rebuke of Judah’s so-called “spiritual leaders.” They made false assertions and deceitfully claimed to understand and follow God’s word. However, their grasp of the scripture was distorted and twisted (Jeremiah 8:8).

Over the past 2600 years, not much has changed; similar patterns are evident among many of today’s spiritual leaders.

Jeremiah 7:23-26  warns of false prophets in Israel and predicts that similar false teachers will emerge among us, spreading destructive heresies and even denying the Lord who redeemed them, ultimately bringing swift ruin upon 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.

Jeremiah didn’t just call out these so-called wise men as impostors and deceitful interpreters of God’s truth; he also accused them of being driven by greed, self-aggrandizement, and perpetuating their own lies (Jeremiah 8:9-10).

Whether through ignorance or intentional disregard, they blatantly lied to people, assuring them all was well. But nothing could be further from the truth. They proclaimed, “Peace, peace,” when peace did not exist (Jeremiah 8:11).

The situation was dire enough on its own, but the most egregious part was the leaders’ utter lack of shame over their actions. Despite the dire state of affairs, worse was yet to come. In the impending destruction, they would face the consequences of their deceitful and despicable lifestyles. When these false shepherds encounter the Father’s justice, things will not end 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 today’s world, achieving peace is elusive, even unattainable. The root of our conflicts lies in humanity’s defiance against the Father. It is this sinfulness that has robbed the planet Earth of peace.

True global peace will occur when the Prince of Peace descends from heaven, halts all wars, and establishes His kingdom, ushering in a millennium of peace.

However, every child of the King can find personal peace even 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!

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© Dr. H 2024