1 At that time, saith the LORD, they shall bring out the bones of the kings of Judah, and the bones of his princes, and the bones of the priests, and the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, out of their graves:
2 And they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the host of heaven, whom they have loved, and whom they have served, and after whom they have walked, and whom they have sought, and whom they have worshipped: they shall not be gathered, nor be buried; they shall be for dung upon the face of the earth.
3 And death shall be chosen rather than life by all the residue of them that remain of this evil family, which remain in all the places whither I have driven them, saith the LORD of hosts.
4 Moreover thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD; Shall they fall, and not arise? shall he turn away, and not return?
5 Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.
6 I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle.
7 Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD.
8 How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain.
9 The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them?
10 Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
11 For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
12 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.
13 I will surely consume them, saith the LORD: there shall be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade; and the things that I have given them shall pass away from them.
14 Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us be silent there: for the LORD our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD.
15 We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold trouble!
16 The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; for they are come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein.
17 For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the LORD.
18 When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me.
19 Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in a far country: Is not the LORD in Zion? is not her king in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with strange vanities?
20 The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.
21 For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me.
22 Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?
The eighth chapter of the Book of Jeremiah in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible continues the narrative of the prophet Jeremiah's divine revelations about the impending doom of Judah and Jerusalem. This chapter, rich in prophetic symbolism and deep spiritual lessons, unveils the consequences of Judah's persistent disobedience and rebellion against God's laws.
The chapter begins with a grim prophecy about the desecration of the graves of Judah's kings and officials. Jeremiah, speaking on behalf of God, foretells how the bones of these once-respected figures will be exposed to the sun, moon, and stars, which they had once worshiped and served. This opening scene sets the tone for the rest of the chapter, revealing the severity of God's wrath against idolatry and unfaithfulness.
As we delve deeper into the chapter, we encounter a series of divine laments for the people of Judah, who have stubbornly clung to their deceitful ways despite the repeated warnings from God. Jeremiah, as God's mouthpiece, echoes God's sorrow and disappointment over their refusal to repent. The people's hardness of heart and their refusal to accept correction are highlighted, which brings into focus the central theme of human stubbornness and its tragic consequences.
A recurring theme in this chapter is Judah's persistent disobedience and rejection of God's laws. Despite the repeated warnings and the clear signs of impending disaster, the people of Judah stubbornly refuse to turn away from their sinful ways. They have become so entangled in their deceit that they no longer recognize the truth. This persistent disobedience is a stark reminder of the destructive power of sin and the tragic consequences of turning away from God.
In a poignant bit of symbolism, Jeremiah compares the people of Judah to the stork and the dove, birds that know their appointed times of migration. Unlike these creatures, however, the people of Judah have failed to recognize the signs of their times. They have not discerned the season of judgment that is fast approaching. This comparison underscores the people's spiritual blindness and their inability to discern God's warnings.
Chapter 8 of the Book of Jeremiah also addresses the role of false prophets in leading the people astray. These false prophets, who claim to speak on behalf of God, have deceived the people with their messages of peace and security. They have assured the people that no harm will come to them, contradicting Jeremiah's warnings of impending doom. This false sense of security has only served to harden the people's hearts and make them more resistant to God's call to repentance.
One of the most moving aspects of this chapter is the portrayal of God's grief over Judah's rebellion. Through Jeremiah, God expresses His deep sorrow and pain over the people's stubborn refusal to turn away from their sins. This portrayal of God's grief serves as a powerful reminder of God's deep love for His people and His desire for their repentance and restoration.
Despite God's deep sorrow over Judah's rebellion, the chapter makes it clear that punishment is inevitable. God's justice cannot be compromised, and the people must face the consequences of their actions. The impending destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its people are presented as the inevitable outcome of their persistent disobedience and rebellion.
In the end, the eighth chapter of the Book of Jeremiah stands as a stark warning against the dangers of disobedience and rebellion against God. It underscores the importance of recognizing God's warnings and responding to His call to repentance. It also serves as a powerful reminder of God's deep love for His people, His desire for their restoration, and the tragic consequences of turning away from Him.
While the chapter paints a bleak picture of Judah's future, it also holds out a glimmer of hope. Even in the midst of impending doom, God's call to repentance remains. This call serves as a beacon of hope, a reminder that even in the face of judgment, there is always the opportunity for repentance and restoration. The eighth chapter of the Book of Jeremiah, therefore, serves as a timeless reminder of God's justice, His mercy, and His unending love for His people.
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