Message from Scripture: 5/19/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is Jer. 2:5. “This is what the Lord says: What fault did your ancestors find in me that they went so far from me, followed worthless idols, and became worthless themselves?”

 

To the people of Judah, Jeremiah uses a play on words to illustrate a spiritual truth to them. Since idols are the invention of the human imagination, and are simply reflections of the thoughts and desires of people, Jeremiah rightly calls them worthless, as far as being a deity is concerned. The Hebrew term for worthless is הֶבֶל (hebel), synonymous for an idol. Those who worshipped idols are called הָבַל‎ (hebal), to become worthless. Judah became spiritually what it pursued.  When they turned aside from God to worship idols, that which was vain and empty, they, too, became vain and empty. 

 

Paul describes this as happening to the Gentiles, as well.  “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures” (Rom. 1:21-23).

 

By contrast, we are exhorted to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18).  If we fill our lives with spiritual values, we can grow in the image of our Lord, and in the quality of life Christ provides. Life is not a vacuum; our life becomes a reflection of whatever it is we devote ourselves to doing. Fill your life with positive spiritual values, and “...be filled up to all the fulness of God” (Eph. 3:19). Today, show the value of your life by going out to serve Christ as your Lord and Savior. God bless.

 

Robert