We often draw a very sharp distinction between what is spiritual and what is worldly. Everyday life goes on in its own way, whilst spirituality fills the gaps on Saturdays or Sundays. As a result, Christians tend to lead a ‘double life’. For the greater part of the week, they devote themselves to the world, whilst the rest of the time they live for and to God. 

In our reading today, it is evident that the ruin suffered by Judah was not merely socio-political in nature, but also spiritual. Indeed, the two even influence one another. The prophecy in verses 9–24 reveals the anguished cry of God’s heart as He sees the prophets and priests acting no differently from the wicked. Indeed, the House of God often became a place where they committed evil (v. 11). 

The prophets no longer spoke the truth or issued their prophetic calls, but had become immersed in wickedness. Meanwhile, justice was becoming increasingly rare in Judah. People were racing to do evil rather than good. The Lord did not remain silent in the face of these circumstances. He would uphold His justice. The Lord’s wrath would consume them, like a whirlwind that would strike the heads of the wicked (v. 19). The Lord is so angry because these prophets have disguised their own voices and desires as though they were the voice of the Lord, even though the Lord never sent them (v. 21). 

Dear Friends of the Bible, let us submit to God and obey Him at all times. God desires our lives to be a whole and unified whole. We must worship the Lord with our whole being and refuse to compromise with unrighteousness. The prophets and priests forgot their duties and calling. They ought to have been at the forefront in calling the whole nation to worship God. Instead, the opposite happened, which is truly distressing. May we, too, not forget our duty to maintain a right relationship with Him and to live a life in accordance with His will.