Jeremiah 44:17-18 - Homilies By S. Conway

The apparent profitableness of sin.

This was what they asserted. And there seemed something in the assertion. All the great nations around them, and of which they knew anything, were idolaters—Assyria, Type, Babylon, Egypt, and the powerful Philistine, desert and other tribes. But Israel was in great trouble and humiliation. But the argument would have been valid if at the time of their fidelity they had always suffered, and if in their disobedience they had always prospered. They knew, if they would speak the truth, that the very reverse was the fact. When faithful, a thousand fell at their side, etc; but it came not nigh them. But when disobedient—though God bore with them for a while, and this forbearance they perverted into an argument for their sin, as so many do still—then it was their troubles came. But, no doubt, ungodliness did and does at times seem to be the most profitable course. This is so because—

I. If it were not so, then there could be no such thing as faith.

II. Nor could there be holiness—no love of goodness and God for their own sake.

III. The ungodly are held back by no scruples as the godly are.

IV. And they have the advantage of concentration of energy. They care only for one world; the believer cares for two, and most not for this but for the next.

V. The long suffering of God may lead them to repentance.

VI. Therefore, let us not grudge the wicked their prosperity, nor deem their ways better than the ways of God.—C.