Second Sunday in Lent: Old Testament, Jeremiah 26:8-15                   

Jeremiah 26:8-15

Itching ears. Aren’t we warned about those in the New Testament? Yes. Paul reminds Timothy that in the last days people will not put up with good, solid, biblical instruction. Instead they will form collectives around false and flowery words that their tender ears can bear. Many churches in our own land are just that. Itching, yes that’s the word Paul uses.

Well in this week’s Old Testament lesson we run into the same issue hundreds of years before the birth of the Savior. Jeremiah was a faithful proclaimer and he told his people, God’s people, all that God had given him to speak. Their response? “You will surely die. Why have you prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate, without an inhabitant’?” (vv. 8b-9). Jeremiah had brought a word of sure judgement and God’s people assembled didn’t like it one bit. And they were ready to act on their displeasure. Sound familiar? It should. Not only does it mirror the warning that Paul brings to his young Christian congregations, but this is precisely the treatment promised and carried out against our Lord Jesus.

Do you love the Word of God? Do you love all of it? God’s people are called to just that. We are to be people of the truth. While God’s Word is not always pleasant, it is always good. And truth from the lips of God should be desired and treasured. It’s a great test to ask, “Can I love what makes me uncomfortable or even what strikes fear in my heart?” God always speaks the truth to us because it is always, always to our good. Don’t scratch your ears. Clean them so they can hear God’s Word. All of it.