Spiritual Amnesia is Deadly

Sharper Iron from KFUO Radio

Rev. Joel Heckmann, pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Okarche, OK, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 44:1-45:5.

As Jeremiah preaches to the Judeans living in Egypt, he diagnoses their condition as spiritual amnesia. They have forgotten the LORD’s Word and the judgments He has promised and sent for rebellion. Yet the people respond more defiantly than ever. They refuse to listen to the LORD’s Word, opting instead for what seems the pragmatic options. Idol worship seems to work better for their physical well-being. It makes them happy, so they choose that, reversing the order of the family in the process. Jeremiah responds by challenging the people to follow through with their idolatry and see how the LORD proves His Word true. A brief flashback concerning Baruch is a reminder that the LORD’s Word does come to pass, and He does not forget His faithful people. That the LORD set His face against His people in this text highlights the graciousness of God when He set His face against His Son, Jesus, on the cross for the sake of saving us sinners.

“A Time to Destroy and a Time to Build” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Jeremiah. The prophet calls the people of Judah and Jerusalem to repent of their faithless idolatry and warns them of the destruction that is coming in the Babylonian exile. Yet Jeremiah does not leave us without hope in the midst of such dark days. Jeremiah and all who believe the Word of God he preached survive because of hope that is found in the righteous Branch from the line of David, Jesus Christ.