If someone is seriously ill, we might expect that he would be eager to accept a cure – surely if a treatment offered an excellent prospect of healing, it would be most welcome. And yet there are those who refuse a cure, for various reasons. In relation to bodily illness, we can see the folly of refusing a cure. Jeremiah had to minister to people who were refusing a cure for their spiritual illness. We consider Jeremiah 8:18-22 Balm in Gilead.
1. The plight of Judah
We hear the voice of ‘my people’ (v19) – a cry goes up ‘from a land far away’. The people of Judah are in exile in Babylon. In the exiles’ words we hear confusion: ‘Is the Lord not in Zion?’ They had assumed that the Lord was among them and would protect them. Was not the temple the visible sign of the Lord’s presence? They were however ‘trusting in deceptive words’ (7:8). When Jerusalem fell and the temple was destroyed the people were shocked and baffled – how could the Lord allow this to happen? The Lord explains. Along with their reliance on outward symbols, they had indulged in idolatry. It is the same sin as is committed by those who maintain a veneer of Christianity whilst being committed to other ‘gods’ which take the place due to the Lord. We hear their bewilderment – the grain harvest (May/June) is past, and so is the harvest of olives, etc (July/August), yet ‘we are not saved’ (v20). Though they seek deliverance from exile, they also lack salvation.
2. The burden of Jeremiah
It is easy to think of the OT prophets as hard figures, delighting to deliver their message of judgment. Although much (but not all) of Jeremiah’s message included judgment, we need to understand the spirit in which he ministered and the cost paid in fulfilling his calling. Note v1 ‘my heart is faint within me’ – he carries a heavy burden in his ministry. He will not prove disloyal to the Lord – he will speak as commanded, but it costs him dearly. Note too references to ‘my people’ (v19, 21) – he does not stand apart in a spirit of self-righteousness. Thus v21 ‘Since my people are crushed, I am crushed’. He does not exult over the punishment of sinners. Any faithful gospel witness needs the same spirit. There will be faithful presentation of the sinfulness of sin and grief over what sinners bring on themselves. Listen to Paul’s grief at the unbelief of his fellow Jews (Romans 9:2). Here is a challenge to all gospel preachers and all witnesses. We need to seek grace to be free from a hard, self-righteous spirit.
3. The balm of grace
Is there no solution to the sin and hurt of Judah? Jeremiah asks, ‘Is there no balm in Gilead?’ (v22). Gilead was a region producing aromatic resin that was used in soothing and healing ointments. ‘Is there no physician there?’ Is there no-one to bring healing to a sinful nation? The answer to the question is ‘Yes’. Psalm 103:3 ‘He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases’. Also Psalm 41:4 ‘heal me for I have sinned against you’. The Lord heals sinners. Hence Jesus’ description of himself as a doctor (Matthew 9:12-13). By his life, death and resurrection he is the balm. But Jeremiah asks, ‘Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?’ The Bible’s answer is that they refuse to repent, which is essential for salvation (Acts 2:38). The Lord’s balm heals repentant sinners.