Jeremiah Chapter 3. QUIT CHEATING ON YOUR SPOUSE!
Israel is compared to an adulterer because they have God as their groom but then cheat on him by loving other people or things in place of God. They even become like a prostitute because they repeatedly put other people or things in place of God. Sadly they show no shame for their actions.
As a result, God has kept rain from their crops and no longer blesses them. God declares to Israel return to me! Acknowledge your guilt and repent. Then you will prosper again and Nations will see you with me faithful again.
In the final two verses in this chapter you hear confession of sins from the nation and a desire to repent.
We would never want our spouse to cheat on us. We'd feel horrible if they did. And if our spouse got caught cheating on us, they'd feel ashamed and embarrassed. And if they were caught over and over and over and over again cheating on us we'd feel even more devastated. Just think how much your family would despise your spouse if that happened. We'd probably find ourselves making comments such as, I'd never do that! Or that's terrible! And the thing is, you're right. It is terrible. But what if our spouse could read our mind and could see every lustful thought we put towards another person? Is that not a form of adultery or prostitution when we lust for another woman or man? Matthew 5:27-28 Jesus says, You have heard that it was said you should not commit adultery but I say to anyone who looks on a person with lust, they has committed adultery with them in their hearts.
Sadly though, that's what we do with God and probably more than once. Whenever we lose focus of our God, our groom, and put our focus on other things or people, we end up cheating on our God, our married partner. Our cheating is anything that becomes our new love or new god or new passion. it could be sports, a certain relationship, hunting, hobbies, etc. We say we would never cheat on God but when we find our time with God diminishing because we're too busy or we enjoy something so much, then we have cheated on our God. If our time with Christian fellowship diminishes then we are cheating on our God. If we quit surrounding ourselves with Christian influence or Christian friends we are cheating on our God.
A relationship with the Lord should influence every choice or action or thought we make so it brings glory to his name and not end up filling a selfish desire or worldly desire. Colossians 3:17 says, And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
If we are staying faithful to our God, then everything we do, say, or think should be done with the desire to please God. Once we violate that motive we prostitute ourselves with others or other things.
If it was so easy for Israel to repeat this process of adultery and prostitution then why do we act as if it could never happen to us? I'm under the conclusion that it's happening and we're either hiding it or denying it like Israel did. Let us confess and repent of every act or thought before our God and stay faithful to him.