Israel's Apostasy
F. C. Clark, B. A. Jeremiah 5:23-24 But this people has a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.… Our state of heart and mind toward God is shown, not by those emotions which are kindled in us on receiving any extraordinary mercy, nor by what we do under the influence of those emotions, but by the habitual condition of our hearts and minds toward God as concerned in His everyday gifts and our everyday doings. I. THE ACCUSATION MADE. I. God complains of revolt and rebellion against Him. The only rightful ruler over all: whose power is absolute and independent, whose wisdom is unerring, whose justice perfect, and whose goodness infinite: whose "statutes are" all "right," rejoicing the right-hearted, whose commandment is all pure, enlightening the eye that is single. 2. And what thought was it in their hearts, which God construed as rebellion against Him? It took in Israel's heart the simple and familiar form of mere unthankfulness to God for "common mercies." II. THE PROOF OF THEIR REBELLION AND REVOLT. 1. They did not in the gift of a good harvest discern God at all. 2. If, as I feel too much afraid it is, this part of the proof of a rebellious heart be in us, of necessity the other part will not be wanting: and as God saith in the text of His people of old, "Neither say they in their hearts, Let us now fear the Lord our God," so neither shall we say the same. The goodness of God is meant to lead men to repentance. (F. C. Clark, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone. WEB: "But this people has a revolting and a rebellious heart; they have revolted and gone.