YBible Thoughts Y November 22, 1998
The prophet Jeremiah has spent his time pointing out the need for the Israelites to follow the commands of God. His message included the warnings that punishment would be the result of their misconduct. The Jews had long ignored the plea of this prophet to repent. The only way they could see was their own way. They were so steeped in their own rejection of God's law that Jeremiah would suffer mistreatment and imprisonment for his messages to the people of God in that day.
It became apparent to Jeremiah that the people would continue to ignore and oppose his effort to bring reformation to the nation. As he worked with the Jews, he expressed the determination they had in refusing to change by asking the questions in the verse quoted. For the many years they had followed the ways of false prophets, for the many years they had ignored the ways of God and went their own way, they now reached the point of "no return." They could not change because they would not change.
It is not surprising that Jeremiah would question the ability of those people to change. Steeped in tradition, given to idolatrous practices, heeding the foolish teachings of false
prophets, and clinging to their own selfish interests, they loved their own way of life. They did not fear a coming invasion of foreign powers because they were God's people. Even though many of the Jews had long ago ceased to care what the Master commanded of that nation, they refused to change. All of the preaching and warning that came from the inspired prophet fell on deaf ears.
A full realization of the condition of this nation and the apostacy of the people would not come until the armies of a foreign power reached the gates of Jerusalem, sacking and burning the city. Too late for the nation of Israel, too late for repentance, too late for change--now they paid the penalty of seeking the idolatry and iniquity of surrounding nations. The "leopard" could not change its spots! Does it seem possible that people can be so steeped in sin or in religious error that nothing moves them? Can one be so hardened in heart they are not touched by the accounts of the crucifixion of Christ? Can one be so involved in the ways of evil or the commandments of men that the gospel will not inspire them towards repentance and obedience? Do men become as the "leopard" that cannot change its spots?
Can even those who are Christians listen to the truth on the responsibilities and obligations of disciples become so hardened to the message they cannot be moved? Is it possible to sit in Bible classes and in services and not be affected by the messages of truth? Or the encouragement to be faithful? Or realize the awfulness of sin? Should we not all realize that being a Christian is a continual process of change(growth)?
Men had not changed when Jesus Christ came into the world. He found hardened hearts that refused to listen to the message of hope he brought them. Surely they could have reflected upon their history and realized what had been suffered by their ancestors for their rejection of the Lord's will. Was it too late for these people? Can the "leopard" change his spots?
The state of their mind and hearts toward the Son of God was seen in the shouting: "Let him be crucified." Because they were set in their own ways and would not listen, they allowed(and encouraged) the death of one who came to save them. Steeped in tradition, led by callused men, controlled by their own lusts and desires, many would never turn to the Lord for forgiveness. Like those of Isaiah's day, many had "hardened their hearts, that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts"(John 12:40). Can the "leopard" change his spots?
When the apostles went forth into an unbelieving world, they found those who would refuse to heed the word of God because of their beliefs and attitudes. At Ephesus, Paul found "some were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the way"(Acts 19:9). Those of whom Luke speaks are found in the synagogue, the very place where men should have been open and receptive to the messages from the Messiah. Can the "leopard" change his spots?
The answer to Jeremiah's questions is: Yes, there are those who can change. Under the power of God's word, the "spots" can be removed. What is not possible in the physical world(one changing the color of one's skin; or the leopard losing its spots) is possible under the teachings of Jesus Christ.
It does not matter how stained one is with sin nor how long one has been practicing the works of Satan, the blood of Christ can cleanse those spots. However steeped in ungodliness and however far one has drifted from the principles of righteousness, the Lord will receive that person. Men cannot remove the sin; God can. It takes a heart that yields to the word of God and will mold itself to the will of Jesus Christ to rid one of transgressions.
Every person who continues to reject the message of God's Son or who, having obeyed, turns back into the world and refuses to repent, steps closer to becoming like the leopard that Jeremiah describes. Don't let it happen to you!
"But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin"(Hebrews 3:13).