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"I will heal your backslidings"

Text: Jeremiah 3:22

DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM OF BACKSLIDING

The problem of iniquity for Judah was tied into the problem of “backsliding”. This problem was highlighted clearly and candidly declared!

“‘Return, you backsliding children,
And I will heal your backslidings.’
‘Indeed we do come to You,
For You are the LORD our God.
Truly, in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills,
And from the multitude of mountains;
Truly, in the LORD our God
Is the salvation of Israel.'”
Jeremiah 3:22-23

1. “Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings”

a) The problem of backsliding had to be acknowledged in the first place.

i) The deeds of backsliding must be repented of (Jeremiah 3:6).

ii) The problem of backsliding was chronic (Jeremiah 3:6, 8, 11, 12, 14, 22).

b) The key to resolving the problem was to “return to the Lord!”

i) The invitation to return to God is to be noted too (Jeremiah 3:1, 7, 22).

ii) The grace and mercy of God shown were undeserved!

c) Healing of backslidings

i) Forgiveness was needed.

ii) Deep healing is just as important.

iii) This is not a reference to physical but spiritual healing.

2. An imagined and suggested Return to God

a) “Indeed we do come to You, for You are the LORD our God”

i) This was more imagined than real.

ii) Jeremiah was urging the people of Judah to come back to God.

iii) For truly, the LORD was their God.

iv) These were words that they could say to the Lord.

b) “Truly, in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains”

i) Another insight is given as to why there was a voice heard in the desolate heights (Jeremiah 3:21).

ii) Desperate Judah had gone to the “hill gods” for salvation.

iii) They had cried out and wept before these “mountain gods”.

iv) But all their efforts had been in vain.

3. “Truly, in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel”

a) Salvation (deliverance) truly comes from God.

i) Only God would give deliverance from their enemies.

ii) This was proven time and again in Israel’s experience.

b) “In the LORD”

i) Not in foreign deities.

ii) But in the LORD their God would salvation be found.