Jeremiah 12:13 - Homiletics

Profitless labor.

I. PUNISHMENT WILL CONSIST IN PART IN THE PROFITLESSNESS OF LABOR . This will perhaps be the special punishment of industrious bad people. To them it will be peculiarly painful, for in proportion to the zest and earnestness with which any work is carried on will be the bitterness of disappointment when this is seen to fail Thus the victorious general is punished by being robbed of his conquests, the statesman by having his political schemes frustrated, the inventor by finding his invention superseded or rendered futile, the literary man by seeing his pro-auctions treated with neglect.

II. LABOR MAY BE GOOD IN ITSELF AND YET PROFITLESS . It need not be mistaken in direction nor incompetent in execution.

1. It may be real sowing . "They have sown "—have not simply run uncertainly nor beaten the air with indefinite energy.

2. It may be the sowing of good seed . "They have sown wheat."

3. It may be assiduous and arduous . "They have put themselves to pain."

III. LABOR WILL BE PROFITLESS IF IT BE CURSED BY GOD . "They are ashamed of their increase because of the fierce anger of Jehovah."

1. We cannot succeed in our work without the blessing of God. This is necessary, not only for those things in which we can do nothing and are wholly dependent on him, but also in regard to our own efforts. Man sows, but God must give the increase. We cannot order the seasons, command the weather, determine the germinating power of nature. The farmer is but the attendant of nature. The real work of the farm is done by nature, and nature is a name we give to the action of God. If, therefore, God did not follow with his work, the farmer might as well scatter sand of the desert over his fields as sow good wheat. So also all our labor depends on God's biasing for its fruitfulness.

2. The curse of God will destroy the fruits of labor . Tremendous destructive agencies are in his hands. He can send frost to nip the tender buds, drought to wither the growing plant, blight to destroy the filling ears, storms to beat down the ripe corn. Sickness, commercial disaster, wars, etc; may frustrate the wisest, ablest, most industrious efforts of men. Therefore let us learn