Hot and not Lukewarm

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text:  Jeremiah 22:11-30

 

Revelation 3:15-17

“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. ¹⁷ For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 

(ESV)

 

The Church in the Book of Acts had a reputation of turning their world upside down (Acts 17:6) but it would appear the Church at Laodicea did not share in the missional success of the Church (Revelation 3:14-15). It is also possible the Church at Laodicea had an initial missional focus of sharing the Gospel and making disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20) but lost that missional focus as it became enamored with its success and not its relationship with Christ and sharing the news of his death, burial, and resurrection. There are many similarities between the Church at Laodicea and the sons of Josiah, providing a warning for the Church today.

 

Josiah had four sons Johanan, Jehoiakim, Zedekiah, and Shallum (1 Chronicles 3:15). Josiah led many reforms in Israel, leading the nation back to God (2 Kings 23:1-20) but his sons did not follow in his footsteps, doing evil in the sight of the Lord. Jeremiah 22:11-30 records the Word of the Lord to two of these sons Jehoiakim and Shallum.

 

1)       Shallum – This is the fourth son of Josiah and the one sitting on the throne at the time Judah went into captivity in Babylon (1 Chronicles 3:15). The Word of the Lord in the text accuses Shallum of building his house by unrighteousness and injustice, making his neighbors serve for nothing by robbing them of their wages. His interest was not in serving God but instead, the acquisition of wealth believing that one was considered a king based upon the level of wealth they obtained (Jeremiah 22:14-15).  Instead, Shallum should have observed how his father ruled with Justice and righteousness and that God took care of him so all was well (Jeremiah 22:15). Josiah ruled with a heart concerned for the cause of the poor and needy while Shallum sought dishonest gain, shedding innocent blood, and practicing oppression and violence.

2)      Jehoiakim – The word of the Lord to Jehoiakim is harsh with the Lord telling Jeremiah not to lament for him and even saying his burial will be that of a donkey buried, dragged, and dumped beyond the gates of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 22:18-19). Jehoiakim’s reign was characterized by compromise and appeasement with him selling out to Nebuchadnezzar for three years (2 Kings 24:1). Jeremiah 22:21 speaks of Jehoiakim’s lack of listening to the voice of the Lord since his youth. Failure to inquire of the Lord when in trouble and instead a strategy of compromise with the enemies of Judah as the Lord sent Chaldeans, Syrians, Moabites, and Ammonites against him. His strategy of compromise backfired on him.

 

Josiah was a good king in Judah bringing reformation (2 Kings 23:1-20) but his children did not follow in his footsteps, leading to Judah’s decline (2 Chronicles 36:1-16).  Jeremiah 22:11-30 is a word from the Lord, letting the sons of Josiah know the consequences of their rejection of the Lord. Being the son of a righteous king is not enough to guarantee a right standing with God.

 

Throughout Church history, there have been great times of revival with the early church gaining a reputation of a movement that turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6). Because of these revivals, the Church has prospered with the existence of many mega Churches and large denominations due to many coming to know Jesus as their Savior. However, if the church loses its missional focus of sharing the Gospel and making disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20), it can become lukewarm as it becomes enamored with its success and prosperity (Revelation 3:14-17). To prevent this loss of missional focus, the Church at Laodicea was encouraged to buy from the Lord gold refined by fire or seeking purity from the Lord, white garments of the Lord's righteousness to cover their sin, and salve to anoint their eyes so they may see the truth in God’s Word (Revelation 3:18). God reproves those He loves and stands at the door ready to forgive (Revelation 3:19-20).  The question the Church must answer is will we open the door and accept the reproof of God, repenting of our sin and returning to the Church’s missional focus, or ignore His reproof. This is the challenge for the Church and Christians during these chaotic times and I pray we do not react in a lukewarm manner like the Church at Laodicea. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.