“Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.” Jeremiah 31:19
What does the Prophet Jeremiah by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit teach as he writes this text? Why does it say after I was turned, I repented, and after he was instructed? Let us get a picture of why this order is paramount in the salvation of sinners!

Turned! The word turned is here an imperative, leaving the impression that this turning is brought about by someone other than the one being turned. “Turn thou me, and I shall be turned” (Jeremiah 31:18b).But why is this turning necessary? “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6a). What is wrong with my own way? We were created to glorify and follow our Maker completely which was to live forever. Our way, because of sin has turned us to follow our chosen way that leads to destruction and death. In doing this we are blind to the right way, needing the life and sight giving Savior to turn us back into His way of life. “To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house” (Isaiah 42:7). It is a turning from self-made darkness to see His marvelous light. It is a resurrection from the dead. Now the turned sinner comes to see the danger he was in, and his sin becomes his greatest burden. To be reconciled to God becomes his desire, but how can this sin be overcome?

Repented! Now the Spirit fills the heart to seek a way of escape. Godly sorrow for sin drives him to repent of them. Without being turned or awaked to who we are because of our rebellion against our Maker there will be no repentance.“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). This is the result of being turned. In this we see God initiating everything in the salvation of a sinner. But being turned by God from running away from Him to again face God and His holiness, exposes an unpayable debt of sin owed to Him and brings forth repentance.

As great as this repentance is, it is not enough for salvation, but we must be instructed in the way. As a new-born baby cannot help himself so also being born again we too must be taught. What does the Holy Spirit use to instruct us? “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). This is called a mortification of sin, making us more conformed to the image we were created with. (The image of God). Sin becomes our greatest enemy and must be put to death. This is a life-long struggle keeping us near to our only comfort in life and death. It is Jesus Christ and His righteousness or we perish, and when we do fail shame and confusion causes us to cry again for washing in the blood of Jesus. Have you been turned from being an enemy of God to being a friend? Has this brought you to repent of your enmity of Him and see the need for instruction? This is to be turned from the broad way that leads to destruction into the narrow way that leads to eternal life. His word, the Bible, will make us wise unto salvation. Read it, pray it, meditate on it, and pray it again, believing the promises given therein!

O Lord, our Lord, in all the earth how excellent Thy Name!
Thy glory Thou hast spread afar in all the starry frame.
From lips of children, Thou O Lord, hast mighty strength ordained,
That adversaries should be stilled and vengeful foes restrained.
When I regard the wondrous heav'ns, Thy handiwork on high,
The moon and stars ordained by Thee, O what is man, I cry.
O what is man, in Thy regard to hold so large a place,
And what the son of man, that Thou dost visit him on grace.
On man Thy wisdom hath bestowed a pow'r well nigh divine;
With honor Thou hast crowned his head with glory like to Thine.
Thy mighty works and wondrous grace Thy glory, Lord, proclaim,
O Lord, our Lord, in all the earth how excellent Thy Name.
Psalter 14:1-5 and 7 Psalm 8

Written by: Cornelius VanKempen

The Chestnut Mare