The Pulpit Commentary — Jeremiah — Volume 1 — Section 38

Yer. 8.-Wickedness in leading men. The great indictment of Israel reachc8 its climax in the accusation of the leaders of the people. Even they who should bave been the guardians of truth and the vindicators of right have. turned aside to evil ways. After this the defection of the whole nation appears utter and hopeless. We have here au instance of the terrible condition into which a country has fallen when its leaders its teachers, its responsible civil and religious authorities, are unfaithful to their missio~ and set examples of wickedness. • I. CoNSIDER THE SIGNS OF WICKEDNESS. IN LEADING MEN, 1. These are often unrecoa- nizcd until the evil has wrought disastrous effects. For there are circumstances whi~h make them difficult to detect, viz: (1) External p1·opriety. The priests still minister at the altar, the Law is still slavishly observed in ceremonial details, rulers still exercisG autl101ity, prophets still write aud preach in orthodox language, and on the outside all things go on respectably, while there is rottenness hidden within. This was specially the case after the reformation of Josiah, when an outward respect for religious obser- vances was established without any purification of heart or revival of spiritual life. (2) Respect for authority. Many people are too subservient to question the charac\e~ of their leaders. 'l'hey wonld rather unite with their rulers in crucifying Christ than recognize his claims against the authority of these men, They do not judge of .the character of their leaders by any standard of morals, bnt found their standard of morals on tha.t character. 2. The signs of wickedness iu. leading men may be det.ected in· its bearing on the special,functwns of their respective offices. The priests are the temple servants of Jehovah, yet they never seek their Master. They who are familiar wit4 the precepts of the Law know nothing of the person and will of the Lawmaker. The civil rulers who are ruling under a theocracy directly transgress the Law-of God.· 'l'he prophets lend themselves to a corrupt source of inspiration. So now again we may see men abusing the powers of office, and sinning in the very exercise of. the responsi- bilities which are entrusted to them for the .sake of the maintenance of right and truth. Therefore we must be on our guard, and not simply follow those who claim to lead because of their rank or office. Men of leading are not always men of light. We must" try the spirits" (1 John iv. 1), and judge of the character of those who claim to lead us by their actions, "Ye shall know them by their fruits" (Matt. vii, 16). IL CONSIDER THE PECULIAR GUJLT OF WICKEDNESS IN LEADING MEN. 1. It is contrary to knowledge. The priests handle the Law. Men of influence are usually in a position to learn what is wise and good. Teachers of religion may be presumed to know more than the average of men. How great, then, is their guilt when their conduct is corrupt (Rom. ii 21-23) ! 2. It is contrary to profession. These leaders set themselves up as examples to others, and·then even they go wrong. They who assume a high position should justify that position by manifesting 11. high character. More is expected of the , ,rofessed Christian than of the confessed man of the wor Id. 3; It is an abuse of ,great ;.,.sponsibi'lity. If men wilfully employ positions of trust as means of violating tho very , ,ojects of those trusts, their guilt is proportionate to the privileges they have received a1Jd the honours they have accepted. He who uses a Christian pulpit to propagate ,:octrines subv.ersive of Christianity is guilty of base treason. • III. CONSIDER THE INJURIOUS EFFECTS OF WICKEDNESS IN LEADING MEN. These will be great in proportion to the influence of the men, and will partake of the special characteristics of that influence, viz.: 1. Breadth. Lea.ding men have a wide influencd, and the seeds of evil which they sow will be widespread. 2. Depth. Leading men have power at their disposal. Their example is weighty. 3. .Subtlety. Dignity, prestige, authority, disguise the evil which would be recognized if it were stripped of the pomp of office. '£herefore: (1) see that good men are chosen for posts of influence, and let the selection and ednca.tion of civil and religious leaclers be a matter of more prayer and thought on the part of the Church ; and (2) be not too ready to follow with ,blincl obedience those who may be in high positions. Be independent and watchful. Follow the one infallible Leader, "the Good Shepherd," Christ. Ver. 13.-Broken cisterns. I. ALL MEN NEED SPIRITUAL REl'llESll.ll'ENT. The soul has its t.hirst (Ps. ]xiii. 1). 1. This is natuml. We are born with instincts which reach out to the unseen, and the worldly habits which deaden these i~stincts cannot ,,, erly eradicate the~ If they could, we should cease to be men o.nd become murcly cJI, n. 1-37.] '!'HE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH. 31