“Oh, that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughters of my people!” (Jeremiah 9:1).

Jeremiah has been dubbed “the weeping prophet.”  Here he said, “I physically cannot produce enough tears to express my sadness over what awaits my people.”  Jerusalem was about to become “a heap of ruins, a den of jackals” and the cities of Judah “desolate, without an inhabitant” (Jeremiah 9:11).  He saw where their actions were leading.  He reasoned with them, “Hear and give ear; do not be proud, for the LORD has spoken.  Give glory to the LORD your God before He causes darkness, and before your feet stumble on the dark mountains, and while you are looking for light, He turns it into the shadow of death and makes dense darkness.  But if you will not hear it, my soul will weep in secret for your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly and run down with tears, because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive” (Jeremiah 13:15-17).   

Judeans were oblivious to their true condition.  (1) They listened to false prophets.  “They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace!’ when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14).  (2) They were no longer ashamed of sin.  “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination?  No!  They were not at all ashamed; nor did they know how to blush” (Jeremiah 6:15).       (3) They refused to listen to God’s true prophets.  “Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen’” (Jeremiah 6:17).  (4) They trusted in the physical temple (or church building).  “Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.  Do not trust in these lying words, saying, ‘The temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD are these’” (Jeremiah 7:3-4).  They trusted in the house itself (Jeremiah 7:14).  (5) They trusted in their external worship of the LORD.  “Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot profit.  Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods whom you do not know, and then come and stand before Me in this house which is called by My name and say, ‘We are delivered to do all these abominations?’  Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of thieves in your eyes?” (Jeremiah 7:8-11).

Many preachers, elders, and concerned members can see what so many seem oblivious to seeing.  They see that God expects total devotion.  Yet, many conduct themselves as if half-hearted devotion will be acceptable.  They see that we are to be evangelistic.  Yet, many feel no personal responsibility.  They see parents sending a message that school and sports are more important than worship and Bible study.  Yet, their warnings are written off as out-of-date and unrealistic.  They see that if things do not change there may be no local church in a location in a few years.  Yet, they are considered fearmongers.  They warn that few will be saved.  Yet, many live as if almost all will be.  Could it be that those who warn are not trying to be fearmongers, or Chicken Littles, or unnecessarily negative, but are in truth concerned about souls?  Are you concerned about your soul?