Jeremiah 8

V.1-3

Because of God's judgment of Judah's sin, after they have been conquered and murdered, their bones would be dug up and scattered by the conquerors in worship of false gods.

V.4-7

Judah did the opposite of repentance.  They turned away from God.  We should repent - turn our backs on our sin and trust in God.

V.8

Jeremiah criticizes "scribes" for claiming to be wise and having the Law within them.  These were most likely the priests in Judah - the men responsible for the interpretation and teaching of the Scriptures.

V.9

In reality, the scribes didn't understand the Law at all because they weren't obeying it.  As believers, we only understand God's Word if we obey it.  We are subject to God's judgment (outlined in V.10-13) if we neglect God's Word by not obeying it.

V.14-17

The approach of the enemy and the panic that it will bring.  This is God's judgment on Judah.

V.15

Those that listened to false prophets and teachers.  They listened to their message of peace, but there was none.

V.18-22

Jeremiah's words, but they are a dialogue between God and Judah.  God expresses His grief that His people are suffering.  He grieves over their worship of false gods.  He doesn't want them to suffer, yet He had to punish them because He is just and they broke the Law.  God cannot neglect one attribute in favor of another (He is just and merciful).

V.19b

The people of Judah are dismayed that their defeat.  The people believed that God's promise to David in 2 Samuel 7:11-16 guaranteed their constant favor and victory.  This was not the case at all because they had completely turned away from God.

2 Samuel 7:11-16 -  "...and I will give you rest from all your enemies. The Lord also declares to you that the Lord will make a house for you. When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, but My lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever."

V.20-21

Jeremiah goes from speaking as God and Judah here to his own words.  He expresses lament over his people's sin and suffering.  Gilead, east of Jordan, was known for its aromatic plants used for medicinal cures.  Judah was in need of healing.

Applications:

1.  Never get so comfortable in the promises of God that you neglect your love for Him.

2.  Examine your behaviors to see if you are bearing fruits worthy of repentance. (2 Corinthians 13:5; Luke 3:8)

3.  Discern false teachers and do not listen to them.  Search the Scriptures to see if what they say is true. (Acts 17:11)

4.  Obey God's Word, don't just merely listen to it. (James 1:22)

5.  Regularly repent of your sins.