Serving God doesn’t Benefit

I’ve read the book of Jeremiah a few times over my Christian walk. I’ve studied it as well, and am doing that again. Jeremiah, like all the prophets God sent to Israel and Judah, warned them against their idolatry. They were encouraged to turn, repent and live subordinate to God‘s will. There were consequences to be had when disobedience persisted.

By Jeremiah 44, Israel is long gone into captivity and Babylon has crushed Jerusalem. Many of those that were not considered a danger to Nebuchadnezzar were left behind. Many of those eventually were captive in various cities in Egypt.

Jeremiah was sent to the people in Egypt because the sins they perpetuated in Jerusalem were continuing. God sent Jeremiah to rebuke them, “Have you forgotten the wickedness” of all your people? Jeremiah reminds them this is why they are captive and God says, “they have not been humbled, to this day, nor have they feared...”

The people refused to repent even in captivity because they did not see the benefit of serving God. They were looking, like many today, for a religion of self-benefit. A god that served their need not one for whom they owed their life and well-being. They wanted prosperity, significance and immediate results. They turned their back on God. They forgot how he cared for them and their ancestors throughout the generations. They lived in their lies and deception.

They couldn’t care less. ”As for the word you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not listen to you! But we will certainly do whatever has gone out of our own mouth, to burn incense to the queen of heaven... For then we had plenty of food, were well-off, and saw no trouble. But since we stopped... we have lacked everything...” They were deceived. And so are many today.

They wanted immediate results from the god they served. Their god had to meet their conditions. They set aside the relationship with The God of heaven and earth who set expectations for their relationship. Obedience, faith, repentance, more obedience, more trust, but his care was guaranteed to those whose hearts were toward him. He didn’t promise them immediate wants met but needs met. This was too much for them to yield to.

Today this is the argument for many, “it’s just too hard to serve God.” He requires too much. These other gods, money, strength, power offer amazing benefits immediately. What isn’t realized, these last only a moment. Just like many in Israel never turned their heart from this idolatrous mindset because of its fleshly benefit, many today will not. They see no benefit in serving God. We, like Jeremiah, must continue to offer the true, eternal hope of Jesus. They will have to see for themselves eventually their gods will disappoint and will not be able to rescue. Then, and maybe only then will they see there is nothing but benefit in bowing their knees to the Only True God.

Read Jeremiah 44 it enhances and broadens this information