Jeremiah 3:21-25 A voice was heard on the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way… I. THE STATE OF THE PERSONS HERE ADDRESSED. "Backsliding children." 1. They had forgotten the Lord their God. All sin may be traced to this. God is forgotten by us. We forget the majesty and purity of His nature; His nearness to us; that His eye is ever upon us; and that darkness and light are both alike to Him. We forget His unspeakable love and goodness, and our manifold, increasing obligations. Strange that, amidst innumerable tokens of remembrance, we should be careless and thoughtless! 2. They had perverted their way. This is the natural effect of forgetting God. Have not we perverted our way? In innumerable instances we have struggled against the voice of reason, the voice of conscience, the voice of God; and, against the plainest dictates of His Word, have wandered in foolish, forbidden paths. 3. They were filled with painful regret. "The high places" were the seat of Israel's idolatry: there they committed abomination, and provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger. But where they sinned, there they gave vent to their sorrow; and there they supplicated Divine forgiveness and favour. And, truly, if we are the subjects of genuine repentance, we shall do the same: where we have sinned, we shall sorrow too. II. THE GRACIOUS LANGUAGE OF GOD TO THESE BACKSLIDING CHILDREN. 1. A friendly call. "Return." Doubtless authority marks this word, and the word of Jehovah is never to be trifled with. It is an invitation given; but it is also a command, which may not be slighted; a solemn charge, which cannot with impunity be refused. 2. A precious promise. "I will heal," etc. (1) Backsliding inflicts a disease, a dangerous and fatal disease. But the promise before us implies that God is ready to restore health and cure. (2) The effects of sin are numerous and destructive. Sin not only dishonours God, and wounds the soul, but it creates a thick cloud of mental darkness: it is the fruitful source of trouble and disquietude. But when the Lord promises to "heal" backslidings, He engages to extract this bitterness, to avert this punishment. (3) The promise here is not indiscriminately given; it is to the sinner that "returns" to God. "Return, and I will heal your backslidings." He does this by an act of sovereign favour (Micah 7:18, 19). III. THE OBEDIENT REPLY OF THESE PEOPLE. 1. This reply is practical: "We tome unto Thee." As the prodigal: he did not spend his time in fruitless wishes or satisfy himself with good intentions and right resolutions: his language was, "I will arise, and go to my father." Immediately, "he arose, and came to his father." 2. The reply is prompt; made with the utmost readiness, and given without the least demur. The call is, "Return"; the answer instantly subjoined is, "Behold, we come." It reminds us of the promptness of the Psalmist, in his compliance with the voice of heaven (Psalm 27:8). 3. The reply is deliberate. The note of attention intimates this. "Behold! we come." Though the penitent believer is ready, he is not rash; though, under the influence of Divine grace, he soon determines, he does it advisedly; his repentance is of that kind which never needs to be repented of. 4. The reply is unanimous. Here is the prayer and resolution of the Church: she prays as one person, actuated by one spirit draw me: she resolves as many persons, answering, with cheerful concurrence, "we" will run after Thee. 5. The reply springs from a clear conviction of duty, interest, and obligation. "Thou art the Lord our God." It is the language of faith, and hope, and love; especially of gratitude, and self-dedication. (T. Kidd.) Parallel Verses KJV: A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the LORD their God. |
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