Get links to my best stuff in your inbox

 

Home

Ephraim Grieving

Date written: April 3rd, 2005
Scripture ref: Jeremiah 31:18

SUBJECT: Attitudes

TITLE: Ephraim Grieving

PROPOSITION: The Bible speaks of complaints that are unwarranted, but also of complaints that are warranted or righteous. We will look at these two areas and then examine some of the results of both warranted and unwarranted complaints.

Objectives: Each should understand the difference between righteous and unrighteous complaints and their results.

Aim: To help us understand how to handle complaints and the proper role of repentance in complaints.

INTRODUCTION:

1. Read: Jeremiah 31:18-20 “I have heard Ephraim grieving, ‘You have disciplined me, and I was disciplined, like an untrained calf; bring me back that I may be restored, for you are the LORD my God. For after I had turned away, I relented, and after I was instructed, I slapped my thigh; I was ashamed, and I was confounded, because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’ Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he my darling child? For as often as I speak against him, I do remember him still. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, declares the LORD.”

2. About the Text:

1) God heard Ephraim grieving.

2) Ephraim means “double fruitfulness.”

3) Ephraim’s grievance was founded upon repentance. He was grieving for his own sins.

4) God then embraces Ephraim as his dear son and says that he will have mercy on him.

3. About “grieving.”

1) The word “grieving” often means deep sorrow, grief.

2) However, there is another way in which it is used.

3) Sometimes the word can mean “complaint.”

4) When someone has something formal to complain about they file a grievance.

5) Ephraim complained to God about his own situation in repentance.

6) There are good complaints and there are bad.

7) It’s hard for us to understand that there are “good” complaints.

8) But the Bible sometimes uses the word in this way.

9) Let’s look at different kinds of “complaints” and what the Bible teaches about them.

4. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

DISCUSSION:

I.   Unwarranted Complaints