In the opening verse of the third chapter, God said Jerusalem was “the oppressing city.” What made His holy city oppressing?
Verse 2 tells us for problems God found with Jerusalem: “She obeyed not the voice; she received not the correction; she trusted not in the Lord; she drew not near to her God.” The people followed their will and not God’s will. Secondly, God corrected them in various ways, but they refused to receive them as His correction. Then, the people refused to trust God even though He never did anything to cause their distrust. Finally, Jerusalem rejected a relationship with God.
God gave Judah and Jerusalem a warning clearly visible in His judgment of neighboring nations. “I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant,” He said of those nations. Surely, seeing this, Jerusalem would fear God “so their dwelling should not be cut off,” and turn to Him, but instead they “rose early, and corrupted all their doings.” How sad that they were so diligent in continuing their sins.
There will be judgment and then restoration of the people. It is quite often the message of the prophets that God will judge, but there will be restoration and hope. God will take away sins and then He will take away the troubles brought on people because of their sins.
This passage speaks to us of the hope we have in Christ Jesus, and looks to His return and reign over the millennial kingdom. There will be a day when God’s people will sing and rejoice because they know and trust Christ as Lord and Savior.
There will be reason for joy and singing because people will find peace and rest in Jesus. Everyone will find God in their midst and will see that He is a mighty God. “He will rejoice over thee with joy” assures us that God looks favorably and lovingly on the church. We are even told the Lord “will joy over thee with singing.” What a wonderful thought! The Lord will actually sing as He looks at His redeemed people.
We have every reason to sing with joy. The Lord saves us, defeats our enemies and heals us.
Now, these are words meant to comfort a people who would one day be taken into captivity. They also comfort all who await the return of the Lord. But what should we do until that time?
The prophet said, “Let not thine hands be slack.” To be slack means we live in fear rather than peace with God. Slack hands trust in self, not God. May we not be found with slack hands.
The Sunday School Lesson is written by Ed Wilcox, pastor of Centerville Baptist Church. edwilcox@nc.rr.com.