Jeremiah 4:1 - Meaning and Application

When God called backsliding Israel to return (Jeremiah 3:22), they answered at once, “We will return.” Here God takes note of that answer and replies with clear directions.

If you say, “I will return,” then return to God fully. Do not only turn away from idols, but come back to the proper worship of the God of Israel. Return quickly too, and do not put it off. If you truly mean to return, then do it. A good start is not enough unless it leads to action.

You must also leave every sin behind. Put away your abominations from God’s sight. That means from every place, because every place is under God’s eye, especially from the temple, which he watched over in a special way to keep it clean. Their idol worship was not only open to view, it was offensive to God. Sin must be removed from the heart as well, because if it stays there, it is still in God’s sight.

They must also not go back to sin again. Some take the words to mean, “You must not wander after these idols anymore.” If you put away your abominations and do not return to them, then things will be well.

They must also give God the honor his name deserves (Jeremiah 4:2). They are to say, “As the Lord lives.” God’s existence must be the most certain truth to them, and his judgment the highest court they appeal to. Swearing, that is, making a solemn oath, is an act of worship, and it must honor God in three ways.

First, they must swear by the true God only, not by creatures or false gods. They must swear by the living God, not by dead idols, and by him alone, not by the Lord and by Malcham, a pagan god (Zechariah 1:5). Second, they must swear only what is true, in truth and righteousness. They must not say what is false, what they do not know, what is uncertain, or what they do not mean to keep. It is bad to say something untrue or do something wrong, but it is worse to back it with an oath.

Third, they must do it solemnly, with good judgment, when lawfully called to it, not in careless conversation. Rash swearing dishonors God as much as solemn swearing honors him. See (Deuteronomy 10:20; Matthew 5:34, 37).

God also encourages them to keep this good purpose and hold to it. If the scattered Israelites truly return to God, then they themselves will be blessed. The words may mean, “If you return to me, then you will be brought back,” that is, restored from captivity to your own land again, as was promised long ago (Deuteronomy 4:29; 30:2). Or it may mean, “Then you will find rest in me,” even while you remain in the land of your captivity.

They will also become a blessing to others. When they turn back to God, they will help others who never knew him to turn to him too. If you acknowledge the living Lord, you will influence the nations around you to bless themselves in him, to find their happiness in his favor, and to count it a great thing to fear him. They will bless themselves in the God of truth, not in false gods. They will take joy in joining themselves to him, and in him they will glory. They will make him their honor and rejoice in the good change they have made. Those who give up their sins and return to God may hesitate at first, but when they go away from sin, they are glad they did.