Canaan's Rest

Jeremiah was called by God to  warn the people of Judah.   One of the words he uses to describe their lifestyle is the word “deceit.”  Deceit in today’s culture is described as “the practice of deceiving; concealment or distortion of the truth for the purpose of misleading; duplicity; fraud; cheating.” In 5:27 the prophet accuses the wicked of living in houses “full of deceit.” “The wicked lie in wait like men who snare birds and  like those who set traps to catch people.  Like cages full of birds, their houses are full of deceit” (Jer. 5:26-7). 

These wicked men were compared to hunters luring unsuspecting birds into a trap. The poor were helpless in resisting their schemes.  “Like cages filled with small birds used for sacrifices their houses were filled with the possessions acquired by their deceitful practices” (Huey).  The Message describes it well, “My people are infiltrated by wicked men, unscrupulous men on the hunt. They set traps for the unsuspecting.  Their victims are innocent men and women. Their houses are stuffed with ill-gotten gain, like a hunter’s beg full of birds.” (Jer. 5:26-7).

It seems that deceit was all pervasive in the culture.  “From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophet and priest alike, all practice deceit” (Jer. 6:13).  The amplified says, “Everyone deals deceitfully.” The prophet laments their attitude, “They cling to deceit; they refuse to return” (Jer 8:5).  The ESV says they are in “perpetual backsliding.” The prophets and priests alike, “all practice deceit” (Jer. 8:10).  But they refused to change.  The Lord declares, “You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me (Jer. 9:6).

It has begun to cause conflict in relationships.  God warns them of social disorder due to their deceitful practices.  “Friend deceive friend, and no one speaks the truth.  They have taught their tongues to lie; they weary themselves with sinning.  You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me” (Jer. 9:4). Their tongue were like, ” a deadly arrow; it speaks with deceit.  With his mouths they all speak cordially to their neighbors, but in their hearts they set traps for them” (Jer 9:8).  

Above all, in Chapter 7, Jeremiah points out the deception of their worship.  “Do not trust in deceptive words and say, ‘This is the temple of the Lord.'” (Jer. 7:5).  In their worship, they were, “trusting in deceptive words that are worthless” (Jer. 7:8).  The people felt they were safe, “safe to do all these detestable things” (Jer. 7:10)  The Lord was watching as his house became “a den of robbers.”  

God told Jeremiah not to pray for them any longer.  For the people, “did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts” (Jer. 7:24).  They were going, “backward and not forward” (Jer. 7:24).  God warned Jeremiah, “When you tell them all this, they will not listen to you, when you call to them, they will not listen” (Jer. 7:27).  Their worship was deceptive:  false and only going through the motion.  Why!! Because, “Truth has perished; it has vanished from their lips” (Jer. 7:28)

With all the deception in our culture, we need vigilance in our worship of God.  It can become rote and filled with worthless word, where  we, “only pretend to be sorry” (Jer. 3:10).  We have nothing to boast about. “But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things” (Jer. 9:24)

Christian artist, Josh Baldwin, has recorded a  song entitled, “Full grown man.”  The title and the song itself,  stuck me as a song that would relate to men.  I like Baldwin, not only for the content of his songs, but the manner in which he performs.  I have a sense that his masculine manner connects with many younger men.  

As a seasoned follower of Jesus, who embraced the Christian music during the “Jesus Movement,” I compare Baldwin to one of my favorites during those early days of revival, the voice of Don Francisco.  His music, the words and the manner in which I experienced Francisco’s ministry, spoke to my masculine soul, especially the song, “Adam, where are you?”  At that time I was still a young man learning to enter into manhood.  I knew very little about my masculine soul.

Baldwin’s style and lyrics speak to a lost and confused male audience, with the continuous refrain, “He was a full grown Man at a very young age.” “He was Son of God, Son of Man/ Who walked the earth to heal this land/ He lived and died, rose to save/ A full grown Man at a very young age.” “At thirty-three He gave His life away/ As a full grown Man at a very young age/ He died a full grown Man at a very young age.” The song ends with these liberating words for a young man to hear. “And on the cross He offered His life as the altar/ So I could live free.”   

I thought of Hebrews 5:8 -9, when thinking of Jesus as a full grown man. “Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and once made prefect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.”  Jesus became a full grown Man at a very young age.  He, “offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard  because of his reverent submission” (Heb. 7:7). 

Peter exhorts us to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.  “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps” ( I Peter 2:21).  I am grateful for Jesus being, “obedient – even death on a cross” (Phil 2:8).   His Father affirmed His only Son, at thirty years of age, when he began his ministry, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11).  

For men, Jesus is our our example.  We are to keep our eyes on Him.  He was full grown man, at a very young age.  I had my personal struggles during my 20’s and early 30’s.  There was a time at the age of 28, when  I wondered if I was a full grown man.  My experience in life seemed to be pointing me in a positive direction.  Yet there was a great deal more to learn about my own personal masculine soul.  Now at 84, I am finishing the journey.  I am humbly grateful to the Lord, for guiding me into the awareness that I am affirmed as a man, before my heavenly father. 

The more I read about Gen Z, the more I sense a deep burden to pray for them on the masculine journey.  When and how will they know they are “full grown men.”  Sports commentators often describe a football players, playing as full grown men.  The tragedy in America, finds young men searching emotionally and spiritually; wondering if they are “full grown men.”  We desperately need full grown men to be models for the younger generation of “lost boys.”