Statement of Faith

The Four Most Important Things We Could Ever Tell You

Listen to this week's message!

Map to the Church

Prayer Requests

Enhance your daily reading of God's word. Click here for free, printable Bible Reading and Prayer Journal sheets!

"The People Who Needed Refining "
Jeremiah 8:4-9:26

Wednesday AM Bible Study
September 29, 2004

There are several well-known portions in these two chapters: (8:11-12, 20-22; 9:1-2, 23-24). These two chapters demonstrate that God was justified in the judgment that He brought upon his people. But in the midst of it all, He makes clear the purpose of His actions. They were not to destroy His covenant people ultimately; but rather to refine them (9:7).

I. WHY REFINEMENT WAS NEEDED (8:4-9:6).

A. The condition of the people (8:4-13).

1. They were perpetually backsliding (4-5).

2. They were ignorant of the judgment of the Lord (6-7).

3. They were deliberately unwise (i.e., rejecting God's wisdom; 8-9).

4. Their priests and prophets were covetous (10).

5. Their priests and prophets were superficial (11).

6. They were unashamed (12).

7. They were barren (13; see also Matthew 21:18-19).

B. The result of their condition (8:14-22).

1. They were silent (14).

2. They were without peace (15-16).

3. They were in danger internally (17).

4. They were abandoned (18-19).

5. They were not saved (20).

6. They were without healing (21-22).

C. The sorrow of their condition (9:1-6).

1. The prophet would weep for them (1).

2. They were not to be trusted (2-6).

II. HOW REFINEMENT WAS ADMINISTERED (9:7-16).

A. The work that God would do (9:7-11).

1. He would "try" them (7).

2. He would punish them justly (8-9).

3. He would make them into a heap of ruin (10-11).

B. The reason for this work (9:12-14).

1. They forsook the Lord (12-13).

2. They walked according to their own dictates (14).

III. WHAT REFINEMENT WAS INTENDED TO DO (9:17-26).

A. To move the people to mourning over sin (17-22).

B. To teach the people to reverence the Lord (23-24).

C. To instruct the people of the world (25-26).

Printable Version