Harvest Is Past

Countryside

In Jeremiah 8, the prophet condemned the people of Jerusalem for their sins. The condemnation was not for an occasional misstep, but for the persistent practice of sin and their stubborn refusal to repudiate it: “Why then has this people, Jerusalem, turned away in apostasy? They hold fast to deceit, they refuse to return” (Jeremiah 8:5).

The deceit to which they held fast consisted of the lies of the scribes (Jeremiah 8:8) and of the priests who would say “‘Peace, peace,’ but there is no peace” (Jeremiah 8:11). They had become so accustomed to their sin that they were no longer “ashamed of the abomination they had done…and they did not know how to blush” (Jeremiah 8:12). They had replaced the Lord with “graven images” and “foreign idols” (Jeremiah 8:19).

After outlining this miserable state of the people, the prophet said, “Harvest is past, summer is ended, and we are not saved” (Jeremiah 8:20).

The point of this verse is that God’s patience has a limit. His mercy – by which He refrains from punishing us as we deserve – will not be extended forever.

Jesus taught this in the parable of the ten virgins. In the parable, He spoke of five wise and five foolish virgins who were waiting for the bridegroom so that they could enter the wedding feast (Matthew 25:1-13). The foolish virgins were not prepared with enough oil for their lamps. When they left to get more, the bridegroom came and they were shut out. Even when they tried to get in, they were refused; it was too late.

Jesus also told the story about the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). Once the rich man died, he saw Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom while he found himself in torment. He pleaded for relief, but Abraham informed him of the great chasm that separated the place of torment from paradise. He could never leave torment for paradise. No matter how remorseful he was or how much he wanted to make things right, it was too late.

Fortunately, we know that God’s mercy and patience will be extended to us as long as the earth stands and we are alive on it. The Hebrew writer said, “It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). While God will one day judge us and destroy the world, He is patiently allowing the world to continue so that we might repent of our sins and turn to Him (2 Peter 3:9-10).

Unfortunately, we do not know when that day of judgment will come. Our lives are uncertain and could be gone at any time (James 4:14). The day of the Lord when the heavens and earth will be destroyed will come unexpectedly – like a thief (2 Peter 3:10).

So what are we to do? Should we press our luck and refuse to submit to God now because we think we will have time later? Certainly not! God’s patience is not an excuse to continue in sin, but is meant to draw us out of sin. Paul talked about this when he wrote to the saints in Rome: “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each person according to his deeds” (Romans 2:4-6).

While God is merciful and patient, there is a limit. At the same time His kindness is extended to us, His wrath is building against those who continue in sin. The people of Jerusalem to which Jeremiah prophesied did not learn this lesson. They persisted in sin until it was too late.

Many today are also refusing to learn this lesson. They stubbornly continue in their sin, using God’s mercy as an excuse. One day, however, it will be too late. Many will be among the group that is like the people of Jeremiah’s prophecy – “Harvest is past, summer is ended, and we are not saved” (Jeremiah 8:20). Do not be among this group. God has made salvation available. Take advantage of it now and do not “receive the grace of God in vain” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2).


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