"But where are thy gods that thou has made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah." (v. 28)
This could be our nation today. Let me add my observational thoughts: 1. "in the time of trouble." (Jeremiah 2:27)
Several times in past years parents have contacted us concerning a child that the public school has come to their end in dealing with for academic problems or hyperactivity or other things and our Christian program had little difficulty in working with the child and even turning them into a well behaved and well balanced normal child. My, how amazed the parents and the Public Educators were as, in some cases, they came and observed, tested and analyzed the progress.
Within our prison and jail systems there is an increased call for chaplaincies which use the old-fashioned Gospel approach to ministering in these areas. Now the officials (in a large degree) are not especially wanting Gospel preaching, evangelistic ministries in their institutions. However, they've seen that these ministries are the ONLY ones that produce true rehabilitation. In the face of massive prison and jail overpopulation they are forced to find methods that truly work. The general public is trying to get the offenders off the streets but are contrary about increased taxes to build housing and the other costs involved (I'm in that number also). Therefore, the public has put these officials in a squeeze. It is very hard to cry need if all avenues have not been explored.
Often "hurting" people have called my office who've already seen several psychotherapists and social counsellors but "are none the better but worse." Bible counseling is like a surgeon's knife, it hurts to cut out degenerate organs or tissues (sins), but without the cutting out there's no healing. Therefore all true counseling which produces results will have a cutting edge, and there is a growing recognization of this fact. A secular illustration is Dr. Dobson. I know he's a psychotherapist in theory. However, he does mention somewhat of the cutting edge in healing and has a growing popularity because of it.
Notice the decline of "mainline" denominations. They're seeking ways to pacify (ie. meet the needs of their people) and are declining year by year. Now the fundamental churches are doing the same, due in part to debt excesses of the 70's and 80's. But for those who have stuck to the Holy Scriptures they are still doing about the same, smaller and growing slowly but due to the membership's testimony of a changed life. What a program to truly meet the depraved needs...the old-fashioned living Word of God. What a program, Bible teaching. Now I know in these latter days of Noah it will not be tasty to the majority but it is still the ONLY thing which will produce victorious results for human kind. "...in time of their trouble they will say, arise, and save us." 2. "For according to the number of the cities are thy gods, O Judah" (Jeremiah 2:28) Each city has its own gods even here in the "good old USA". Notice it says "they can save thee", or in context, "let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of trouble." Would it be out of context to read into this that these cities did believe their gods would and could save them? Here's my observational thoughts.
Now we see money as the "Salvation" of our cities, counties and states, etc. (Businesses, churches, homes and on and on). Look at those "gods" which our leaders are coming to depend on as their "savlation" and I believe are coming to "worship".
One town boasts of its special attractions as a tourist draw and promotes it to its own city and area as in need of special political and tax favor, street and parking benefit, promotionals gimics that the locals should gladly get behind because this is their salvation. A state's gambling lobby, its gambling town, (Deadwood, Las Vegas, Atlantic city, etc.) these have become the state god to save their education program, etc., etc., etc. An old auto museum, doll collection, etc., etc., fall in this position.
On the local level also a tourist attraction, a monument to something (almost anything), the memorial to a famous person (Elvis, etc.), all of these out of context are in the position of becoming local gods which will save the town, city or area. In North Dakota, Lawrence Welk's hometown wants the government to build such a memorial. Is that a god? Would it become their salvation? Some say so.
"For according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O (America)".