Jeremiah 3:6-25 - God's willingness to bless and man's stubborness

It is interesting that this prophecy was given during the reign of Josiah, one of the good kings. 

God points out what had happened to Israel and what little Judah had learnt from Israel's example. Israel had abandoned God and as a result she had been utterly defeated. Instead of turning to the Lord she had worshipped all sorts of idols. Israel's defeat is likened to God giving her a certificate of divorce for her unfaithfulness. 

One might have thought that Judah would learn from this and remain committed to the Lord. Instead, Judah decided to go down exactly the same road that Israel had travelled, and the destination would be the same as well. Verse 10 shows the true nature of Judah. There were times when she appeared to repent, the reign of Josiah being one of them. Yet this "repentance" was only skin deep. Even Josiah failed in the end, and as soon as he had gone the nation resumed its apostasy. We need to be born again, we need a deep change. 

Now see God's response in v11-13. God tells Jeremiah to call Israel to repentance. Why Israel? She had suffered occupation for many years, perhaps now she would have learnt the error of her ways. Note also the willingness of God to forgive. All she needs to do is "acknowledge her guilt". The problem is not with God's willingness to forgive, but with man's reluctance to admit his guilt.

What happens when we do repent? First is a personal relationship with the Lord, see in v14 it says "I am your husband". Then He sends good shepherds to lead and teach. Notice also that this is a moving forward, not a mere returning to a previous state. For the ark of the covenant would no longer be central to their thoughts. There will be a transformation of their hearts, and nations would come to Jerusalem to honour the Lord.

The Lord longs to bless His people, but they refused to trust in Him.  He longs to "cure of us our backsliding". Then there is an apparent repenting of the nation. 

The problem is never with God's willingness to bless, only with our unwillingness to turn to Him.