Jeremiah 17:12-14 - Homiletics

The Hope of Israel.

I. THE REVELATION OF THE HOPE OF ISRAEL .

1. God is revealed as the Hope of his people; i.e. as the source

2. God is thus revealed in connection with the sanctuary ,

3. Experience confirms this revelation of God. The glorious character of God has been true of him "from the beginning." The antiquity of the temple was the proof of this to the Jew, the history of Christendom should be more so to the Christian.

II. THE FOLLY OF FORSAKING THE HOPE OF ISRAEL .

1. It is foolish to forsake God. We know that it is wrong; we have to learn that it is also injurious to ourselves. The character of God should make this apparent. Such a character as has been above ascribed to him shows that he is "the Fountain of living waters," i.e. the one Source of pure, life-giving energy. Though no true roll on can be founded on low motives of self-interest, self-interest should at least show us the mistake of irreligion.

2. The results of forsaking God are shame and destruction :

III. THE PRAYER OF CONFIDENCE IN THE HOPE OF ISRAEL . ( Jeremiah 17:14 .)

1. A prayer for healing . Though we hope in God we may suffer at present. We need not so much improved circumstances as a bettering of the condition of our own souls—not so much wealth as health.

2. A prayer for salvation . The prophet feels himself in danger. Dangers of various kinds wait on all of us. Salvation is a large word, meaning deliverance from all real harm. It is a large thing to ask for, but not too much for faith.

3. A prayer of assurance —"I shall be healed." What God does he does effectually.

4. A prayer of humble thankfulness —"For thou art my Praise." True faith rests, not on our merits, but on God's mercy, and therefore all prayer should confess his goodness and all supplication be mingled with thanksgiving ( Philippians 4:6 ).