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"Declare this in the house of Jacob"

Text: Jeremiah 5:20

A MESSAGE TO BE PROCLAIMED BOLDLY

The Lord Himself was the source of the knowledge of the messages the prophets proclaimed. Jeremiah was to preach the Word of God boldly, even if the messages were not popular.

“Declare this in the house of Jacob
And proclaim it in Judah, saying,
‘Hear this now, O foolish people,
Without understanding,
Who have eyes and see not,
And who have ears and hear not.'”
Jeremiah 5:20-21

1. “Declare this in the house of Jacob and proclaim it in Judah, saying”

a) The words “declare” and “proclaim” were used synonymously.

b) Jeremiah was to “preach” this message as from the Lord.

2. “The house of Jacob”

a) Whenever this phrase was used, there were certain meanings attached.

i) Jacob was full of deceit and cunning before his conversion.

ii) This phrase was used when God wanted to point out the sinfulness of the nation.

b) Judah

i) Judah was used as a “parallel” equivalent in this context.

ii) The Southern kingdom was just like “the house of Jacob”.

3. “Hear this now, O foolish people, without understanding”

a) The description given by God was most candid.

b) Two phrases were utilised aptly:

i) “Foolish people”

ii) “Without understanding”

c) This truth was to be declared and proclaimed!

4. “Who have eyes and see not, and who have ears and hear not”

a) This was actually a proverbial saying.

b) The original phrase may be traced to Psalm 115.

“Their idols are silver and gold,
The work of men’s hands.
They have mouths, but they do not speak;
Eyes they have, but they do not see;
They have ears, but they do not hear;
Noses they have, but they do not smell;
They have hands, but they do not handle;
Feet they have, but they do not walk;
Nor do they mutter through their throat.
Those who make them are like them;
So is everyone who trusts in them.”
Psalm 115:4-8

c) Judah had become like the idols they worshipped.

i) They have eyes that do not see.

They could not see all that God had done for them.

ii) They have ears that do not hear.

They could not hear and understand what God was saying through His servants the prophets!