The Plowman

Introduction
There is something very satisfying about it.  That feeling you get watching a movie when the “bad guy” finally gets his.  You’ve watched him throughout the movie act with impunity and finally  he pays for it in the end.  I’ve been in theaters where the crowd actually cheered!  Because in spite of the corruption that surrounds us and regardless of how jaded we’ve become we want to believe in justice.  Justice is satisfying as long as we are focused on those who, unlike us, are guilty.  The problem with justice is that it cuts both ways.  If I’m guilty I don’t want justice I prefer mercy.  God’s truth is a two-edged sword.  The very thing that brings me satisfaction and comfort strikes terror in others.  Perspective is everything.  God is holy, just and righteous.  That comforts me when I am unjustly attacked, criticized or maligned.  It frightens me when I am heartless, cruel or indifferent to those in need.  The thought of the glories of heaven and the hope of the people of God is reassuring and comforting.  The thought of judgment and eternal damnation is horrifying.  Yet both come from the same God.  A God who is holy, just, majestic, sovereign and full of wrath; who is also loving, merciful, kind, gracious and compassionate.  This is the God consistently set forth by Jeremiah the weeping prophet as he ministered to Judah during her final days before exile.  In the text we are going to consider this evening Jeremiah presents yet another moving portrait of this sovereign yet gracious God.  Our text is found in Jeremiah chapter 49.

Text: Jeremiah 49:1-39
God had promised that Jeremiah’s ministry would be an “international” ministry. He was appointed over nations and kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant” (1:10) In the closing chapters of his book we find a collection of prophecies related to the nations.  God speaks His judgment on the nations surrounding Judah.

Thesis: As we explore chapter 49 we find ourselves standing in awe of both God’s sovereign justice and His tender mercies.

There are three things I want to call to your attention.

1. God in sovereignly promises to bring an end to all His enemies.
   He speaks His judgment on the Ammonites – 49:1-6
   He speaks His judgment on the Edomites – 49:7-22
   He speaks His judgment on Damascus – 49:23-27
   He speaks His judgment on Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor – 49:28-33
   He speaks His judgment on the Elamites – 49:34-39
2. God in holy justice comes in solemn judgment.
3. God in tender mercy assures His sovereign grace.

When considering the mystery of God’s grace, Derek Kidner pointed to Luke 23 and the story of the two thieves.  Both hurled insults at Jesus.  One acknowledged guilt and sought mercy the other did not.  One was saved, the other was left in his sin.  Here 5 nations are under judgment God sovereignly extends mercy to only 2.

Kidner remarks, “One was saved, that none might despair; yet only one, that none might presume.” (The Message of Jeremiah: Against the Wind and the Tide Inter-Varsity press p. 143)

That none might despair – God’s grace reaches even to his enemies.
That non might presume – God owes salvation to none.

Introduction:
Balance is a tricky thing.  Ever since I had my tumor removed in ’95 I’ve had problems with balance.  When I’m on any incline – I’m in trouble.  I got on the roof of my house once – I very quickly took a seat and started clinging to the roof.  Now this problem with balance is not a new thing with me I’ve never been “steady” on my feet.  In elementary school in gym class I remember the balance beam.  Of course the balance beam they used was maybe and inch or two off the ground but it might as well have been twenty feet I wasn’t staying on it anyway.  You would think that with my naturally “low center of gravity” it would not be a problem but it is.  Listen to the dictionary definition of balance: an even distribution of weight enabling a person to stay upright and steady; stability of one’s mind or feelings; in sailing the ability of a boat to stay on course without adjustment of the rudder; a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions.  Balance is critical in so many ways but perhaps one of the most important areas of balance is in theology.  Theology is our “speaking about God.”  I recognize that we are frail children of dust and thus we are in constant struggle with theological balance but when we are unbalanced we present a warped, perverted view of God.  That is why it matters.  As we explore the 48th chapter of Jeremiah this evening I want us to see the balance in this passage.   We are in that section that deals with God’s judgment of the nations that runs from chapter 46 through chapter 51.  It is an international roll call of God’s enemies.  This evening we explore his judgment of Israel’s wayward cousin Moab.

Text: Jeremiah 48:1-47

Moab was the son of Lot by incestuous union with his eldest daughter the whole sordid story is found in Gn. 19:30-38.  The eldest daughter gave birth to Moab the father of the Moabites and his younger daughter gave birth to Ben-ammin who was the father of the Ammonites.  If you are familiar with the biblical narrative you know that both of these peoples were a long standing problem with Israel and Judah.

As God speaks through Jeremiah what becomes clear is…
Thesis: God’s sovereign judgment of and yet His gracious response to sinners.

These are two sides of the same coin.  God is holy, just and righteous.  He cannot allow the guilty to go unpunished.  His holiness demands judgment on sin.  This is why God says, “I will by no means allow the guilty to go unpunished.”  To wink at sin or to merely overlook it would be a denial of his person.  He is just.  He is righteous.  He is holy.  Therefore sin must be dealt with.  Yet He is also gracious, loving, merciful and forgiving.  So this holy God provides a way by which His righteous demands are met and yet salvation is granted.  This is what the gospel is all about.  Righteousness and mercy meet at the cross.  Holiness is satisfied and mercy is granted through the work of Christ.  That’s not just a New Testament truth and is a Bible truth.  Let’s look at our text and consider three things.

1. We must note the absolute terror of God’s sovereign judgment.
2. God’s judgment is His righteous response to wicked behavior.
3. Even in judgment God loves the sinner and offers hope.

This is the balanced portrait of our God – fierce and terrifying in His judgment of our wicked ways and yet loving and merciful to sinners.