The Summer Is Ended
Robert Meredith
The long, hot days of summer are hopefully over for this year and autumn is just around the corner. Hopefully our air conditioners can get a much needed rest and we can look forward to the changing colors of the leaves. The prophet Jeremiah, as he gave warnings to Judah, made reference to the end of summer. But his allusion to it was a warning that God’s patience with them was ending. He penned, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved” (Jeremiah 8:20).
The reasons for this warning can be found in Jeremiah 8. God through Jeremiah informed the people of Judah that punishment was coming (vs. 1-3). God had been very patient with the nation, but her continual disobedience would lead to her destruction. Likewise, with man today, God is long-suffering and does not want any to perish, but to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). If man fails to repent then punishment will come (Luke 13:3).
One reason for the punishment that came to Judah was her refusal to repent of her sins (vs. 4-7).
They were like the Israel of Isaiah’s day, of whom he wrote, “The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, My people doth not consider” (Isaiah 1:3). When one fails to consider God’s ways and warnings, then His punishment will surely come. Today there are many that never consider His ways. They are like the Israelites during the days of the Judges, they do what is right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25).
Another reason for the punishment that came upon Judah was the religious false teaching that was done (vs. 8-9). God has given unto man abundant warnings concerning following the truth. Yet, as in olden times, man seems to ignore these warnings and follow after the false teacher without ever checking with the Word of God. The people of Berea were commended for their investigation of what was being taught (Acts 17:11), but today many want a social gospel that appeals to their own desires rather than the true gospel, which can save their souls (Romans 16:16; James 1:18, 21).
The false teaching that was being done in Jeremiah’s day led to religious corruption (vs. 10-12). An honest look at the religious world of today will reveal mass corruption. The Bible declares that, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling: One Lord, one faith, one baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:4-6). Howbeit, the denominational world says there are many bodies, many Spirits (That is, the message the Spirit gives to one group may differ from the message He gives to another. This would make God the author of confusion. See 1 Corinthians 14:33), many hopes, different Lords (councils and governing bodies), many faiths (you believe one thing and we will believe another, yet we are both all right), several baptisms (water, Holy Spirit, fire), and many Gods (you can worship Him as you see fit).
Because of all these reasons, God said, “The summer is ended,” time is up and punishment is yours. God had held out hope for His people, and still does for the man of today. In verse 22 the question is asked, “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of My people recovered?” God could and would have healed them spiritually if the people would have repented and returned to Him. However, they would not and were destroyed. God is willing to heal your spiritual hurt if you will but obey His will. Remember one day the spiritual summer will be ended.