Jeremiah 4:20-30 - Homilies By S. Conway

"Suddenly are my tents spoiled." "When thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do?"

A surely coming confession compelling a present serious question.

Note the historic reference of the words to the people to whom the prophet spoke. Applying them in more general sense, let us observe—

I. THE CONFESSION . "Suddenly," etc. This confession.

1. Not that of the child of God , for his tents cannot be spoiled.

2. The confession of the worldling and all those who are living without God . For their tents are suddenly spoiled.

II. THE QUESTION , "What wilt thou do," etc.? Who can tell what the delirium of dismay and despair will drive a man to under such circumstances? See Judas the traitor. Suddenly his tent—the hope of his gains—was " spoiled ," and we know what, in the remorse and despair which fastened upon him, he did. But some will harden themselves still more. Others will plunge into business, pleasure, sin, and there seek to drown the tortures of the mind. It is impossible to forecast what one and another will do, and least of all can they tell themselves. But it is God who asks this question, and that with the gracious intent that we should turn to him for the answer. Let us do so. Perhaps your tents are spoiled already. Before, therefore, you say what you will do, ask of God what thou shouldest do.

1. Is it thy inward peace, the calm and unconcern of thy life, that is spoiled? Then "acquaint thyself with God, and be at peace ."

2. Is it thine estimate of thine own righteousness? Do not seek to mend or patch it up in any way (cf. Philippians 3:1-21 ). Seek from Christ the righteousness that is of faith.

3. Is it thine earthly prosperity that is shattered? "Set your affections on things above, and not on things on the earth." Have your treasure for the future in heaven. There, "where neither moth nor rust," etc.

4. Is it thy very life that is being taken from thee? Oh, wait not until this tent is actually spoiled.

"To Jesus do thou fly,

Swift as the morning light,

Lest life's young golden beams should die,

In sudden endless night."

III. THE ORDER IN WHICH THIS CONFESSION AND QUESTION ARE PLACED . The question is asked before the spoiling takes place. Like as it is asked, "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?' The intent is that we should, by turning to God and coming within his sure defense, escape that spoiling of our tents which must come on all not within that defense. And so in the other question, which is like unto it, the intent manifestly is that we should not neglect so great salvation. Then let this good will of the Lord be done. Come over amongst those whose tents cannot be spoiled, and away from those upon whom the spoilers shall fall certainly, suddenly, and soon.—C.