10.23.2015 Old Testament: Jer 9.17–19

To read the Bible in a year, read Jeremiah 9–10 on October 23, In the year of our Lord 2015

By Don Ruhl

Sometimes people just do not get it. They have no idea of the disaster about to fall upon them. When it does come, they try to laugh it off, or pretend that it did not happen, or that it will not get worse. However, when a nation sins, and reaches the point at which they will not repent, disaster eventually comes upon them, and they need to mourn greatly during those days.

The Jews did not know what was happening to them with the attack of Babylon, nor did the Jews understand why it happened, although the Lord made it clear through His prophets. Therefore, the Lord called for professional mourners that they might create a scene of mourning; perhaps then the people would get the idea,

Thus says the Lord of hosts:
“Consider and call for the mourning women,
That they may come;
And send for skillful wailing women,
That they may come.
Let them make haste
And take up a wailing for us,
That our eyes may run with tears,
And our eyelids gush with water.
For a voice of wailing is heard from Zion: 
‘How we are plundered!
We are greatly ashamed,
Because we have forsaken the land,
Because we have been cast out of our dwellings.’” 
(Jeremiah 9.17–19) 

Weep when it is time to weep. Better yet, repent of sin immediately that the day of mourning may be put off, and perhaps even banished.