Dr. Couch, you have said many times that one can see similarities in the OT that clearly describe America today. Have you seen Jeremiah 30:8-15?
ANSWER: Yes, indeed, I have. This entire section is awesome. The context is Israel's alliance with Egypt in order to find safety and protection. Jeremiah is told to write on a tablet "before the people" what is coming. It would "serve in the time to come as a witness forever" (v. 8). In other words what God says will last forever and stands as a warning continually.
As with America today, the people failed to listen to what the Lord said in a warning. They were so self-absorbed that they refused to listen. He said, "This is a rebellious people, false sons, sons who refuse to listen to the instruction of the Lord" (v. 9). As with many in America the Jews were into themselves and did not want to hear what God had to say. They said to their seers and prophets: "You must not see visions for us, … You must not prophesy to us what is right. Speak to us pleasant words. Prophesy illusions" (v. 10). To the prophets they said, "Get out of the way, turn aside from
the path, let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel" (v. 11).
God, the Holy One of Israel, then answered further "This iniquity will be to you, like a breach about to fall, a bulge in a high wall whose collapse comes suddenly in an instant. And whose collapse is like the smashing of a potter's jar; so ruthlessly shattered" (vv. 13-14). He added, "Only in repentance and [spiritual] rest shall you be saved. In quietness and trust is your strength. But you were not willing" (v. 15).
America is dancing and laughing all the way to the edge of the pit! Entertainment, fun and games, self-serving pleasure is what keeps our nation going. It is going to come to an end! This nation will have served its purpose. It has been most blessed of the Lord but its days are numbered!
While America is just one nation among many nations, it will someday be judged. However, because God has made promises to Israel, that nation shall be, as it were, brought back from the dead! On verse 17 Unger writes in his great commentary that I had reprinted: "'For I will restore you to health … and will heal you of your wounds.' This great promise will be fulfilled in the salvation of the Israelite remnant during the Great Tribulation (Ezek. 37:20-28; Rev. 7:1-8) and their establishment in the Davidic-Messianic Kingdom (20:4-6). No longer will Zion be called an outcast (Isa. 11:12; 56:8; Jer. 33:24), one spiritually put away as a wife divorced by her husband (Isa. 62:4), but one restored to the Lord and one in whom He will delight in His grace."
Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch
As with America today, the people failed to listen to what the Lord said in a warning. They were so self-absorbed that they refused to listen. He said, "This is a rebellious people, false sons, sons who refuse to listen to the instruction of the Lord" (v. 9). As with many in America the Jews were into themselves and did not want to hear what God had to say. They said to their seers and prophets: "You must not see visions for us, … You must not prophesy to us what is right. Speak to us pleasant words. Prophesy illusions" (v. 10). To the prophets they said, "Get out of the way, turn aside from
the path, let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel" (v. 11).
God, the Holy One of Israel, then answered further "This iniquity will be to you, like a breach about to fall, a bulge in a high wall whose collapse comes suddenly in an instant. And whose collapse is like the smashing of a potter's jar; so ruthlessly shattered" (vv. 13-14). He added, "Only in repentance and [spiritual] rest shall you be saved. In quietness and trust is your strength. But you were not willing" (v. 15).
America is dancing and laughing all the way to the edge of the pit! Entertainment, fun and games, self-serving pleasure is what keeps our nation going. It is going to come to an end! This nation will have served its purpose. It has been most blessed of the Lord but its days are numbered!
While America is just one nation among many nations, it will someday be judged. However, because God has made promises to Israel, that nation shall be, as it were, brought back from the dead! On verse 17 Unger writes in his great commentary that I had reprinted: "'For I will restore you to health … and will heal you of your wounds.' This great promise will be fulfilled in the salvation of the Israelite remnant during the Great Tribulation (Ezek. 37:20-28; Rev. 7:1-8) and their establishment in the Davidic-Messianic Kingdom (20:4-6). No longer will Zion be called an outcast (Isa. 11:12; 56:8; Jer. 33:24), one spiritually put away as a wife divorced by her husband (Isa. 62:4), but one restored to the Lord and one in whom He will delight in His grace."
Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch
