Transgression and Rebellion Without Pardon Lamentations 3:42

Jeremiah asked three questions concerning predictions, God allowing good and calamity, and punishment for sins. He then gave two directives and a reason for those who would answer those questions. The first of the two directives was searching and trying our ways and returning to the Lord, and the second was lifting up our heart with our hands unto the God in the heavens. In verse forty-two we see the reason those directives should be the response to the question where we read:

We have transgressed and have rebelled: you have not pardoned.

The verse begins, “We have transgressed and have rebelled:” Jeremiah's reason has two parts. First, “we have transgressed” which means “to rebel or revolt”, and the second we “have rebelled” or “have been contentious, refractory, disobedient, or rebellious against”. Those who would heed Jeremiah's words were to turn back to God because they rebelled against Him and were disobedient to His commands.

The verse goes on to add, “you have not pardoned.” In an even more poignant manner, Jeremiah concluded that God had “not pardoned” them. In other words, God had not “forgiven them” for their rebellion. It is quite one thing to be a rebellious and disobedient people, but when God's forgiveness is not extended toward those who live in this manner, they are doomed.

While we think about the thoughts and ideas conveyed in this verse, perhaps we will find transgression and rebellion against God in our own lives. Have we sought God's forgiveness? Do we believe ourselves without pardon? What if God were to hold us entirely responsible for every time we transgressed His law and rebelled against Him? Fortunately for those who have received Jesus as their Savior and Lord, God's forgiveness is extended. Jesus Christ paid for every transgression and rebellious act we make against the Heavenly Father. As the prophet Isaiah wrote concerning Jesus in chapter fifty-three and verse five of the book called after his name:

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

May all of us who read these words have ears to hear and minds to understand what Jeremiah and Isaiah wrote regarding the pardon of God the Father through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Next time we will see the Lord's response to Judah and Jerusalem's transgression and rebellion, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

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