Purity in the House - City - Life - Jeremiah 22-26

 Jeremiah 22:8-10 (ESV)

“‘And many nations will pass by this city, and every man will say to his neighbor, “Why has the LORD dealt thus with this great city?” And they will answer, “Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God and worshiped other gods and served them.”’”

Weep not for him who is dead,

nor grieve for him,

but weep bitterly for him who goes away,

for he shall return no more

to see his native land.

There may not be a more sordid look than that of someone who had the reputation for righteousness and then fell from that grace.  The fall of a church pastor due to sin is an ugly and horrid look.   The fall of some parent/spouse who had a beautiful family but fell deep into sin is beyond the pale.  We wag our heads at those who fall from grace and destroy their lives because of their wanton desire for some sinful practice.  This is what the above passage is saying.  Jeremiah has been sent to the leaders of Judah.  Both the political and the religious leaders.  He is to deliver the above message.  God is going to take His beloved people (Judah) and His beloved city (Jerusalem) and bring it to nothing.   It will become a byword to the rest of the nations.   This is ugly for them, but, more importantly, ugly for the reputation of God.   God redeemed Israel and Judah.  Now they would be the laughing stock of the nations.   This is what disobedience toward God does.   God is concerned about His reputation.  But, God will not allow hypocrites to represent Him.  He would rather have those He loves and what He loves be defamed and ridiculed, than to allow someone to remain in power and position, and defame Him.   God is not diminished by the fall of those who once worshipped Him.  He is still God and still good and holy.   Yes, in man’s eyes such a fall from grace can destroy the “reputation” of God.   But, in reality, it honors the reputation of God when we understand that God is holding everyone accountable, especially leadership.   God exposes sin so that He can maintain His holiness and reputation.   God is boldened by His disciplining of His children.  It honors God to keep a pure house.