Jeremiah was the major prophet during the decline and fall of the southern kingdom of Judah. He is the author of the book of Jeremiah, as well as the book of Lamentations…a record of his lament over the demise of Judah. He is often referred to as the ”Weeping Prophet of Israel.” Jeremiah’s comment in Jeremiah 8:20-22 has to do with Israel missing her opportunity to repent from the error of her ways. She had, time and time again, turned from God.
The nation of Israel worshipped false gods, and rejected God’s rule over their life. As a result, Israel went into Babylonian captivity, and Jerusalem was destroyed. Jeremiah had reason to weep didn’t he?
Jeremiah compares Israel’s missed opportunity to turn to God to that of a missed harvest: ”The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.”
In Scriptures the Lord often uses the word ”harvest” to represent the lost souls that need to be gathered for the Kingdom. In John 4:34Jesus said; ”Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.”
Still today the harvest potential is abundant, but the true laborers are few.” There are many in the field for their own benefit, but fewer that are there to bring in a harvest for the Lord. This week we will visit about Jesus mission that he passed on to each one of us, the mission to “Go into all the world”!
Jason
