Biblical Christianity in Crisis 3

Biblical Christianity in Crisis 3

Jerm 12:10-11

‘Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness. They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart.’

As we have followed the text here in Jeremiah 12, the situation of God’s people then was little different to what we find ourselves in today. Frequently, Jeremiah is referred to as the weeping prophet; he was greatly distressed at the situation in Judah, backsliding, idolatry and secularism had left God’s vineyard desolate.

‘and being desolate it mourneth unto me’ There were others besides Jeremiah that were heart broken at the state of God’s vineyard. The voice of mirth had been replaced by the voice of mourning as the Distressed in heart and soul poured out their Supplications unto Almighty God. When some of God’s people recognized the error of their ways, when they came to understand how that God’s great name was cast down, it tore their hearts asunder. Here was a rending of the heart and not the garment; here is an example of God’s people lifting their hearts unto God and mourning over their great sin of backsliding. There was the spirit of humility and deep brokenness in Judah as prayer was offered unto God. What about our circumstances just now; Biblical Christianity is in a deep crisis, God’s name is cast down, His work has been discredited, His people are held in derision. This is indeed the time when the hearts of God’s redeemed people should break in pieces as we survey the desolation all around. Do we have that distress of heart that we are compelled to supplicate God’s throne of heavenly grace. ‘If my people, that are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.’

‘the whole land is made desolate’ The land that flowed with milk and honey was found a desolation through sin and backsliding of God’s people; the pastors had thrown down the walls and the vineyard was destroyed; in turn the destruction spread over all of the land. This is exactly what happens when the vineyard of God becomes Discredited, and then Shame covers the land. As in the days of Jeremiah; so too in our own day and generation; once our nation was exalted through Biblical Christianity, now it is covered with deep shame. When secular humanism is allowed to cast the Word of God from society, then national shame and folly follows.

‘because no man layeth it to heart’ In Jeremiah’s day there was a small remnant that cared enough to pray; there were some that took the spoiling of God’s vineyard to heart. Yes the people of the land did go into Babylonian captivity as the chastening stroke of God fell; but because there were those that took it to heart, there was mercy mixed in the chastening. After the exile the people returned and the Temple was rebuilt. Will you be one of the few that will lay it to heart today?

Rev Mervyn Cotton (Heb13:6)