Reverse of Creation
Jeremiah 4:22-26
22 “For my people are foolish;
they know me not;
they are stupid children;
they have no understanding.
They are ‘wise’—in doing evil!
But how to do good they know not.”
23 I looked on the earth, and behold, it was without form and void;
and to the heavens, and they had no light.
24 I looked on the mountains, and behold, they were quaking,
and all the hills moved to and fro.
25 I looked, and behold, there was no man,
and all the birds of the air had fled.
26 I looked, and behold, the fruitful land was a desert,
and all its cities were laid in ruins
before the Lord, before his fierce anger.
In this passage, the prophet Jeremiah laments the lack of relationship the people have with the Lord. They have priests and prophets in the land, but are unaware of who He is and how he desires a covenantal relationship with them. The false prophets proclaimed a blessing without repentance, wealth without sacrifice, and justice without obedience.
The people did not just turn from God but were actively working against him. They used the name of God as a pillar of power rather than a sign of humility and service. Because of this, the good creation of God suffers. Jeremiah looks upon the earth and sees that it is “without form and void.” The sky above “had no light.” The hills are a flowing chaos, no human was on the land, no birds of the air, and no fruitful gardens to be seen.
In Genesis 1, the Spirit of the Lord hovered over the waters of the deep, meaning that God was over the chaotic soup of maverick creation dust. The author of Genesis makes this statement as a contrast to other creation myths where the deity (or deities) are fearful of the chaotic physical matter (see Mesopetamian creation myth of Tiamat). But in Genesis 1, Elohim (the Hebrew word used for God here) is in control of the waters, the soup of creation dust. Elohim then brings order and boundaries within creation, as one would separate the colors and edge pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Elohim makes light, land, sea, birds, animals, and lastly humanity. He then looks upon his creation and declares it to be very good.
The prophet Jeremiah takes the Genesis narrative and shows the deep fissures that sin creates. Sin is not just a personal problem; it is a global one. It breaks apart humanity, animals, birds, land and sea. It runs directly counter to God’s good work. Like the humans that took the forbidden fruit with a desire to be like God, we continually lap up this false fruit of human arrogance and rebellion. We have sought to be gods without God, but we leave destruction and deserts in our wake. We may seek to create a utopia, but we leave children without a future, land that is poisoned, an internet littered with pornography, and entertainment that idolizes violence. Who will save us from this chaos we create?
Thanks be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus came to be our God with us. To forgive and cleanse us from sin. To make us into that New Creation where we take our swords and spears and turn them into farming equipment. Where we live in the forgiveness of God and therefore live in our forgiveness of others. Where we look not just to our own interests but also to the interests of others. Where we live and move and have our being in the God who loves us and gave himself for us.
Sin destroys, but God creates.
A creation filled with life, abundant and eternal life, is indicative of the Spirit of God working and creating- taking the maverick particles of a broken world and making a people who are called to be ambassador of this New Creation.
Announcements:
Link to the CBC Calendar
VBS will be Aug. 3-5
sign up sheet is at the back of the church
We are looking for a few (4-5) people to help with snacks and crafts
Church Weekly Schedule
Sunday worship at 11am
Wednesday Prayer Posse 12pm
Trail Life each Sunday from 2-3pm
Pastor Steven’s Office Hours 8-4 Mon-Thursday
I have an open sign (if it is on, I am here)
If I am not in the office at these times, I am meeting with someone
Call or text me 972-921-2516
Email steven@kodiakcbc.org
