Is There No Balm In Gilead?

Jeremiah 8:22

"Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is the health of the daughter of my people not recovered?" (Jeremiah 8:22.)

Of course, there was a solution to Judah’s problem of sin. But the people failed to take advantage of that solution. What would cause someone to continue to live a life of sin rather than turn to God?

Perhaps some failed to turn to God because of their denial. Rather than acknowledge their sin, many in Jeremiah’s day claimed their innocence, never admitting they had done anything wrong. Rather than repent of their wickedness, they asked, "What have I done?" (Jeremiah 8:6.) Many people today still fail to turn to God because of their denial of any wrongdoing.

Perhaps others failed to turn to God because they did not believe God would bring his judgment upon them. Many failed to believe Jeremiah’s words concerning the coming Babylonian captivity. Today, there are many who fail to repent and turn to God because they do not believe God will bring his judgment upon them. Despite what man may teach, the Bible teaches that the majority of people will be sentenced to spend an eternity in hell (Matthew 7:13-14.)

Others may have failed to repent and turn to God because their hearts had grown callous. Jeremiah later referred to them as impudent and stiffnecked (Jeremiah 17:23.) The longer a person continues in sin, the more callous his heart becomes. It is possible for a person to reach a point where he is insensitive to sin.

Others may have failed to repent and turn to God because they felt it was too late. "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." (Jeremiah 8:20.) Many people today fail to repent, watching opportunity after opportunity pass them by. One day, all opportunities to repent will cease and it will be too late.

Rod Halliburton

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