From the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely. They have treated the wound of my people carelessly, saying, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace. Jeremiah 6:13-14

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Romans 12:9

Jeremiah has a bleak sounding message. He’s in a society which sounds like everyone is out for themselves with no care for those around them. These verses follow after the beginning of chapter 6 where Jeremiah is foretelling all that will befall the people. But the religious leaders don’t want people hearing that, they would rather offer the people false assurances. One commentator compares what the leaders are saying to attempting to tell someone to treat a serious wound with a Band-Aid. There is a focus on getting material things – and apparently doing it unjustly – not wanting to hear all the bad things that are coming.

The leaders are telling the people there is peace when there is none. Hearing that there is peace might make people happy, except that it is a lie. There is no peace. Meanwhile, Jeremiah is preaching a need to return to following God; the leaders are telling the people to ignore this; these are leaders that are supposed to be religious leaders. Jeremiah has lots of harsh words for these faithless leaders who are only thinking of their own power and supposed greatness.

In Romans, Paul counters this type of leadership with what is leadership that God intends. Love should be genuine, and we should hold fast to what is good. Being honest, dealing fairly with others and supporting our community are what God’s followers are to do. We are to love our neighbors as ourselves, helping fulfill their needs as well as our own.

God of love, make us peacemakers in our troubled world. Redeem our lives and let us reflect your steadfast love. Help us to fight greed and injustice; help us to find the good in all those around us. In your heavenly name, we pray. Amen.

Chris Gabel

Ministries
Teaching Mission Party