The Sin and Impenitence of Judah

Part II

Text: Jeremiah 2:31-37

Key Concepts:

• The seven links of the bondage of impenitence
• O generation, behold the word of the Lord
• How the mighty have fallen

The word impenitence means the lack of contrition, of spiritual sorrow, the lack of repentance over one’s sin. Someone who is impenitent feels no shame about what he/she has done. Consequently, the impenitent grieves the Holy Spirit and will eventually quench Him as well. Indeed, the more one resists God’s call to repentance and instead persists in sin, the more one hardens one’s heart to the point of deafness. And “it is evil and bitter for you to forsake the Lord your God” (Jer. 2:19, ESV). Persisting in impenitence, with no remorse nor shame, is the worst kind of sin because it leads one to sin more and more. Furthermore, the impenitent person is bound in sin and does feel the weight of their sin. Such was the condition of Judah in the time of Jeremiah.

The seven links of the bondage of impenitence

Impenitence encourages submission to sin. It effectively causes the bondage in the chain of sin. First, the impenitent lives in denial of their sin; judging sin from the perspective of self and of the world. He/she thinks his/herself innocent, no matter the condition of their heart. They compare their sins to others rather than measuring themselves against the holiness of God. Secondly, those who don’t fully deny their sin, minimize it. They presume on the grace of God by believing that He will forgive them regardless of their impenitent hearts. They take God’s forgiveness for granted, as though they deserve it. The third link of bondage involves the justifying and rationalizing of sin. At this stage, the impenitent will blame their sins on circumstances, others, anything else except his/herself. Fourthly, there is the tendency to postpone repentance though he/she might feel the need to atone before God. This behavior is dangerous because no one is guaranteed the time to procrastinate. God might act in response to sin at any time. Fifthly, the impenitent ignores God’s call to repentance and His warnings of consequent judgment. By turning a deaf ear to God, he/she risks and provokes His wrath. Sixthly, sometimes people go as far as to resign (as to willfully surrender) themselves to their sin by giving up on hope. At that point, the person - utterly trapped, accepts that he/she is defeated by sin and no longer needs to seek forgiveness. However beloved, Christ died that we may not live under the subjugation of our sins. Lastly, there’s the tragic phase where one might wait until it is too late. At which point, one is living under God’s judgement and may even die in sin. Are you entangled in impenitence? You still have the opportunity to turn to God in repentance. Why should you delay your own deliverance?

O generation, behold the word of the Lord

Jeremiah leads us to examine ourselves and consider our attitude regarding sin. What justification do you have for your sins? God’s disappointment, frustration and hurt over the impenitent is evident (Jer. 2). “’Have I been a wilderness to Israel, or a land of thick darkness?’” (Jer. 2:31, ESV). God is asking His people what He could possibly have done to them to cause them to treat Him with such disrespect, disdain, and carelessness (Mic. 6:3). Can you honestly accuse God of mistreating you? Obviously, the answer to that question is no, which means there is no reason for betraying and forsaking God. Aren’t we instead the ‘Ebenezer’ people? The only way we can accuse God of wrongdoing is through ingratitude. When we sin, we give ourselves the license to do as we please. We also often choose the immediate gratifications of life instead of the blessing of God. Sadly, when we free ourselves of God’s rules, we become slaves to our flesh. We are then vulnerable to the snares of the world, possibly until we fall under the judgment of God. Israel though was in a commitment covenant with God (Jer. 2:32). Israel was the bride of the Lord, likewise the Church is called the bride of Christ. This is the symbol of what happens when a believer offers him/herself to the Lord and enters into an eternal relationship with God.  It is a commitment of faithfulness which calls us to renounce even the self to give God priority over our lives. Then we become those who,” washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev. 7:14, NKJV). Why would you want to pollute this relationship? The love of God for His children is immeasurable. That love motivates us to love Him in return, to seek to serve and glorify Him. It also causes us to love others. However, when love is perverted, it becomes perversion. Israel turned away from God’s love, and instead sought love in all the wrong places (Jer. 2:33).

How the mighty have fallen …

The evidence of Israel’s wickedness was plain to see. Their white garment of purity was stained with the blood of ‘” the poor innocents’” (Jer. 2:34, NKJV). The prophets were persecuted. Israel was guilty of child/human sacrifice. And yet they said “’I am innocent; surely his anger has turned from me’” (Jer. 2;35, ESV). Rather than repenting, they presumed on God’s mercy. However, judgment was upon them. Indeed, being blind to one’s own sins does not mean that God is also blind. God will not be fooled. Because you think you can justify your sin does not mean God does not abhor it. Because others support you in your sin, does not mean God will not judge you. Israel compromised - changed their way, with their enemy (Jer. 2:36). In return, God chastised them by using that same enemy to humiliate them. “’Indeed you will go forth from him with your hands on your head; For the Lord has rejected your trusted allies, and you will not prosper by them’” (Jer. 2:37, NKJV). The hand over one’s head gesture suggests that one is in distress. It can also portray the imagery of one who is being led into captivity.  Either way, pain and humiliation were in their future because of their impenitent condition.

In conclusion…

Why would you forsake your God, when there are no blessings to be found outside of Him? The word prosperity is not restricted to wealth. It means to have satisfaction, contentment, lasting and profound joy. One can be rich and yet be miserable. There is no prosperity in moral degradation. There is no satisfaction outside God’s will and morality. Do you deny your sin? Or do you downplay your sin? Do you take God’s grace and mercy for granted thinking you deserve forgiveness even when you are unwilling to repent? Do you rationalize your sin, blaming it on circumstances and everything but yourself? Do you postpone every opportunity you are afforded to repent? Or are you simply ignoring God’s call to repentance? Are you ignoring His warning about the consequences of your impenitent heart? Have you, rather, resigned yourself to sin? Are you going wait until it’s too late to repent and thus fall under God’s judgment? Whatever bad habit, bad attitude, and tendency against God, this is the chain of enslavement to sin you are trapped in. The good news is, there is still hope. All you have to do is turn to the Lord with true sorrow and contrition and beg for His forgiveness. He will have mercy on you.