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Broken cisterns, part 1
pastor corner

Paul wrote that the things written before time were written for learning (Rom. 15:4). There are many lessons to be learned from a study of the Old Testament. The actions of God’s people show how man is supposed to act toward God and His word and how if man does not follow God things do not turn out for man’s best.

God’s prophet Jeremiah made the following statement for Jehovah, “For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water” (Jer. 2:13). A cistern is just a holding tank for water. In areas where water is scarce at times during the year, some people rely on these holding tanks for usable water. In Biblical times cisterns were rarely cleansed, and the inevitable scum which collects is dispersed by plunging a pitcher several times before drawing water. When the water is considered to be bad, a somewhat primitive cure is applied by dropping earth into the cistern, so as to sink all impurities with it, to the bottom. So, Jeremiah was saying that the people had left the sweet life giving water (God’s love and care) and had made cisterns for themselves that became broken cisterns (trusting in other gods which were no gods cf. v11, 12). Today some make the same choice to forsake the living water to drink of the putrid, pungent, poison of sin. Satan makes the things of this life look so great and refreshing. Christians are tempted to drink long and full of Satan’s dipper, yet their thirst is never satisfied. This choice leads to eternal damnation, not the glory of heaven.

“How could God’s people turn their backs on God after He provided them with so much?” This same question needs to be asked today. God has given man so many great and wonderful things. His giving of His Son to die for the sins of man ranks as the greatest of all blessings. He has also given mankind the Bible so that all can know how to please their creator, and to know of His love for them. God established the Church so that Christians could have fellowship with Him and with other Christians. In the body support and help are found. Mankind needs to trust in God and His word, not follow their own way that leads to destruction.

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