Jump Start # 1877

Jeremiah 6:17 “And I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’”

Our verse today, shows the rebellious and stubborn spirit of Judah towards God. The Lord was trying to prevent disaster, but they were bent on staying the course of their idolatrous and rebellious ways. The verse before has God declaring, “Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls.” That sounds wonderful and inviting. You’d think the nation would rejoice to hear such words. But, no. That verse ends with, “But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”

The following verse, our verse, has God appointing watchmen. Their role was to stand upon the walls of the city and WATCH. If they saw trouble coming, they would blow their trumpets and people would run to shelter. Today, we have tornado warnings. We hear them and we should take cover. Some don’t. Some ignore them. In Jeremiah’s day, the people responded, “We will not listen.” Trumpets are blowing and we are not listening. How foolish.

There are some people who refuse to listen to anyone, including God. They don’t care what the Bible says, they are going to do what they want to do. They do not come from the standpoint of ignorance. The person who doesn’t know may get into the same trouble, but the reasons were different. One person just didn’t know. The other knew, but he chose to ignore the warnings. Some think that they are as smart as God. Some will not be told what to do by anyone. They become their own god.

It’s hard to deal with people like Jeremiah is describing. They won’t listen. They won’t take advice. They won’t stop and consider things. They are bent on doing what they want and they will. In the family, such attitudes are found among two year olds and teens. But you’d think a person should learn better by the time they are an adult. Many never have.

You see this illustrated in many ways. There is the guy who drives like he is at a NASCAR race. He is driving way too fast, moving in and out of lanes quickly, riding the bumper of those who are not moving fast enough. No one is going to tell him how to drive. While he thinks this is fun, he is a danger to others on the road. His selfishness, arrogance and ignorance will get someone injured. But, he doesn’t care. He only thinks about himself.

In a marriage, this is the person who is so absorbed into what he wants to do that he acts more like a single person than someone who is married. Little thought is given to what the rest of the family wants to do or what is best for them. It’s all his way. He won’t listen to anyone. He believes he’s a real man, but truth be known, he lacks a heart and compassion. He ruins every relationship he touches.

What hope is there for someone who refuses to listen? Is there any possibility of changing? Is there any chance that things will get better? There wasn’t in Jeremiah’s days. The stubborn nation was taken into captivity and the city was ruined for a generation. A lot of people talk tough and act as if they have all the answers and know everything about everything. Proverbs warns against answering a fool. A person can try to defend what they believe, but most times it doesn’t go very far with these folks. They aren’t interested in a discussion, they want a platform to rant about all things that bother them. The list is usually very long.

Our passage brings forth another thought for us. God has set a series of watchmen in our lives. The first line of defense or help is the word of God itself. It warns us. It helps us. It keeps us safe. Do we listen to it? Do we pay attention to it?

In the home, the role of the father is to lead his family to Heaven. The father is a line of defense. The righteous man who shakes his head no at his daughter’s outfit. She may have a meltdown, but he is blowing the trumpet. Are we listening? He should rally the family to get to services. Do we hear the trumpet?

Next, God has arranged within the congregation, shepherds who are to watch out over the flock. They are looking out for our wellbeing. They see who is not doing well. They see danger coming. They blow the trumpets. They warn. Do we listen?

As important as leadership is in the congregation, the church needs to learn the lesson about following. Leading only works if there is someone behind you following. If the leaders are out there showing the way, but the flock has remained behind, sitting in the grass, refusing to get up, the leadership has failed. The reason why these certain men are in the roles of a shepherd is because they are qualified, experienced and trusted. They are there to keep us safe. The trumpets are blowing. Are we listening?

For centuries, the blowing trumpet was the signal in battle. A certain sound meant to move forward or charge. Another sound meant to pull back or even retreat. The young bugler was the line of communication between the commanders and the soldiers. In the heat of the battle, with all the noise going on, the unique sound of the trumpet could still be heard. It told the soldier what he was to do. Those that did not listen, often were found on the battlefield dead.

The trumpet keeps us safe. The trumpet signals danger is lurking and it gives us time to prepare. How interesting, the scene of the coming of Jesus is issued in by the archangel sounding the trumpet.

The trumpet blows, do you hear? Will you hear? Jeremiah’s people made up their minds that they would not listen. Shame on them. That was a dumb decision. It cost them their city and their lives. Will we do the same?

Roger