Monday, November 05, 2007

Boundaries

20 "Announce this to the house of Jacob and proclaim it in Judah:

21 Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear:

22 Should you not fear Me?" declares the LORD. "Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it.

23 But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts; they have turned aside and gone away.

24 They do not say to themselves, 'Let us fear the LORD our God, Who gives autumn and spring rains in season, Who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.'

25 Your wrongdoings have kept these away; your sins have deprived you of good.

26 "Among My people are wicked men who lie in wait like men who snare birds and like those who set traps to catch men.

27 Like cages full of birds, their houses are full of deceit; they have become rich and powerful 28 and have grown fat and sleek. Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not plead the case of the fatherless to win it, they do not defend the rights of the poor.

29 Should I not punish them for this?" declares the LORD. "Should I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?

-Jeremiah 5:20-29