Jeremiah 2:21 is a fascinating verse: “I had planted you like a choice vine of sound & reliable stock. How then did you turn against me into a corrupt, wild vine?” That’s what God said to his people, through his prophet Jeremiah. I believe it summarizes the plight of humankind.
God had called Abraham & his descendants, who came to be called Israelites, to be his people. God would provide for their needs & give them a land of their own. In return, God expected his people to worship & obey Him. Is that expecting too much from the One who gives you life?
God gave the land of Canaan to his people, including houses they did not build, fields & vineyards they did not plant. Israel was a choice vine of sound stock. But Israel rebelled & refused to serve God. Israel served & bowed to other gods. They broke God’s laws. God sent his prophets to them, but they rejected them.
God created each one of us & planted us on earth, in a place with many churches in which to worship Him. Have we served & obeyed Him? Sometimes, but more often, we’ve refused to serve Him & bowed to the gods of materialism, consumerism, pleasure, coveting & convenience. We ignore or reject the messengers God sends to warn us.
In the end, God had no choice but to discipline & punish his people, by letting them be destroyed or overtaken by their enemies. Will not God allow us to suffer the same punishment for our sins?
If you’re not trusting in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, why don’t you start trusting Him today? God has planted you as a choice vine. Will you live as His choice vine or like a corrupt, wild vine?
