What does "I have withdrawn My peace" reveal about God's character? Verse in Focus “Do not enter a house of mourning or go to lament or console them, for I have withdrawn My peace from this people,” declares the LORD, “as well as My loving devotion and compassion.” (Jeremiah 16:5) Setting the Scene • Judah is steeped in persistent idolatry and injustice. • Jeremiah is told not to mourn with the nation; God’s judgment is already settled. • The removal of “peace” (Hebrew shalom – wholeness, well-being) is paired with the withdrawal of “loving devotion and compassion,” underscoring total covenant disruption. What the Withdrawal Reveals about God’s Character • Source of Peace: Shalom originates with Him; its absence signals His deliberate action (Numbers 6:24-26; John 14:27). • Sovereign Authority: He gives and removes blessings according to His righteous will (Job 1:21; Isaiah 45:7). • Holiness that Confronts Sin: God’s moral purity cannot coexist with unrepentant rebellion (Habakkuk 1:13; 1 Peter 1:16). • Covenant Faithfulness—Including Discipline: Love compels Him to discipline covenant-breakers (Deuteronomy 28:15, 65; Hebrews 12:6). • Patience with Limits: Long-suffering precedes judgment, but a final threshold exists (2 Peter 3:9; Genesis 6:3). • Relational God: Peace is relational, not mechanical; broken relationship leads to withdrawn peace (Leviticus 26:14-17). • Hope Still Anchored in Mercy: Even after withdrawing peace, He later promises restoration (Jeremiah 29:11; Hosea 6:1-2). Supporting Snapshots from Scripture • Isaiah 48:18 – “If only you had heeded My commandments, your peace would have been like a river…” • Psalm 85:8 – “I will listen to what God the LORD will say; He promises peace to His people, but let them not return to folly.” • Lamentations 3:17 – “My soul has been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is,” a firsthand cry after the withdrawal. • John 16:33 – Jesus offers peace that overcomes the world, spotlighting the ultimate remedy. Take-Home Insights • Peace is a gift, not a guarantee; obedience safeguards it. • God’s character holds together love and justice without contradiction. • Loss of shalom is a divine wake-up call urging repentance. • Even severe judgment keeps the door open for restoration to all who turn back to Him. |
    |