What does "truth has perished" in Jeremiah 7:28 mean for modern believers? Setting the Scene Jeremiah stands at the gate of the LORD’s house, warning Judah that temple rituals cannot mask stubborn rebellion. He delivers God’s verdict: “So you shall say to them, ‘This is the nation that would not obey the LORD their God and would not accept discipline. Truth has perished; it has disappeared from their lips.’ ” (Jeremiah 7:28) Understanding “Truth Has Perished” • “Truth” (Hebrew ’ĕmet) carries the ideas of reliability, faithfulness, steadiness, and integrity. • “Perished” paints a death scene: truth is not merely ignored; it is treated as if it no longer exists. • The phrase describes a society where God’s self-revealed standards have been abandoned, leaving only self-made narratives. Symptoms of Truth’s Collapse in Judah • Refusal to obey the LORD’s voice (Jeremiah 7:23). • Religious show with no inward change (Jeremiah 7:4, 9-10). • Injustice toward the vulnerable (Jeremiah 7:6). • Idolatry—exchanging the true God for false gods (Jeremiah 7:18). Parallels in Today’s World • Moral relativism: “Your truth, my truth.” • Redefinition of right and wrong based on majority opinion (Isaiah 5:20). • Suppression of biblical absolutes in public discourse (Romans 1:25). • Information overload that blurs reality and fiction (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Implications for Believers Now 1. Spiritual vigilance: a culture that buries truth pressures believers to compromise (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12). 2. The local church remains “the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). 3. Personal integrity becomes a prophetic witness; lips must match life (Ephesians 4:25). Courageous Responses to the Death of Truth • Know the Truth: immerse in Scripture daily (Psalm 119:160). • Speak the Truth: “preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). • Live the Truth: consistent obedience guards the heart from deception (James 1:22-25). • Defend the Truth: do so “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). • Pray for Revival: ask God to breathe life where truth has been buried (Psalm 85:6-7). Living as People of Unperishing Truth • Anchor identity in Jesus, who said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). • Cultivate communities marked by honesty, fidelity, and sacrificial love (3 John 3-4). • Expect opposition yet remain confident: “The word of the LORD endures forever” (1 Peter 1:25). Encouraging Scriptures to Hold Fast • Isaiah 59:14-15 — “Truth is missing… but the LORD saw it, and it displeased Him.” • Proverbs 23:23 — “Buy the truth and do not sell it—wisdom, instruction, and insight as well.” • Psalm 15:1-2 — “Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity and speaks the truth from his heart.” Truth can be declared dead by a nation, but it never dies in the heart that treasures God’s Word. |
    |