Confession

 Jeremiah 3:24–25 (NRSV)

24“But from our youth the shameful thing has devoured all for which our ancestors had labored, their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters.
25Let us lie down in our shame, and let our dishonor cover us; for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our ancestors, from our youth even to this day; and we have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God.”

Both Israel, the northern 10 tribes and Judah the remaining 2 tribes had forsaken the Lord and turned away from him to worship false gods and idols. Their rebellion led to God divorcing Israel and sending them into captivity in Assyria. These tribes never returned but the tribes of Judah after their captivity were given the opportunity to return to Jerusalem and reestablish the nation. Repentance was required and Jeremiah readily admitted the sins of the nation and the dishonor that resulted. Sin has consequences that can be devastating. God does not look lightly upon sin and when repentance is scorned his wrath must be fall upon the people. He patiently waits for true repentance so that he can restore the people but when they continue to do what he has commanded them not to do, there will be justice. The rebellion of both nations caused them to suffer and lose their inheritance. Israel today continues to suffer for the sins of the past as the land they once inherited has been greatly reduced. They only have a small portion of the land that was promised to Abraham and his descendants. When Jesus returns to rule during the millennium, the land will be restored, and Jerusalem will be the center of the world as all nations will come there to worship Jesus. Until this happens Israel will face tremendous opposition.