October 5: Of Jeremiah, Josiah and Today’s Asherah Poles

Jeremiah 4:19-6:15

Colossians 1:18-2:7

Psalm 77:1-20

Proverbs 24:23-25

Jeremiah started to preach a message of God's anger during the middle of Josiah's reign.  When I read that, I was surprised.  How to reconcile "Oh, my anguish, my anguish!  I writhe in pain.  Oh, the agony of my heart!" with the reign of Josiah, who reminded Israel of God's words and deeds, and led her in repentance?  In 2 Chronicles 34:33, we see Josiah "removed all the detestable idols…and he had all who were present in Israel serve the Lord their God."  Why then the prophecy of suffering and exile?

Perhaps it was because God knew man was incapable of sinlessness.  True enough, while "as long as [Josiah] lived, they did not fail to follow the Lord, the God of their fathers."  But when Josiah died, Jehoahaz took over, and he "did evil in the eyes of the Lord", as did his son Jehoiakim, and Jehoiachin and Zedekiah after him.  And as the leaders went, so did the people.   This is why Jeremiah called it a "horrible and shocking thing", that the "prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and [God's] people love it this way."

This is why, though Paul was in prison, had suffered much and suffered long, and believed he was close to the end of his life, he continued to "strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me", why he continued to work so hard at ministry for the Colossians, "for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally."

Is what we see today so very different from what God saw during Jeremiah's time?  We see priests and pastors substituting earthly acceptance for Godly repentance, preaching earthly wealth instead of eternal joy.  You read the words of priests who demand we accept not just the sinner, but their sins as well; you hear the words of pastors who preach that God wants us to be financially wealthy today, but disregard the spiritual wealth of eternity.  

In the face of such an earthly onslaught, it was difficult enough for me to recognize, to begin to realize, who God is.  It remains difficult for me to live according to that realization.  Things have only gotten worse; how much more difficult must it be for our children today?  And how much more difficult will it be for our grandchildren?  

Father, we look at today's worldl, and like the psalmist, cry out to You for help, for You to hear us.  We seek You, for we are in distress over the world and what it preaches.  We consecrate the next generations into your care, and beg You to give us the strength You gave Paul, so that we might continue to contend against all the earthly influences, from wherever they might come, so that like the Israelites under Josiah, we might set aside our asherah poles and remain with You.