Prologue to Creation

When I say, " Jeremiah looked and saw," you may respond by saying, "God was there!"  And you can say that with as much conviction as you like.

Jeremiah was a prophet and as a prophet he spoke for God.

"Listen!" Jeremiah said. "My people are foolish, they do not know God; they are stupid children and have no understanding.  They are skilled in doing evil, and do not know how to do good."

"Look," Jeremiah said.  "A strong wind comes from the north.  Not a wind that winnows or refreshes, it is too strong for that.  It is a wind that ravages and lays waste!"

Jeremiah looked into the strong wind and saw: God was there!

Jeremiah watched as all creation was laid waste before the wind.  "Look to the earth!" he said.  "It is waste and void, as it was in the beginning, before God started creating.  Look to the heavens!  They have no light!"

Jeremiah looked and saw: God was there!

Jeremiah looked on the mountains and they were quaking and the hills moved to and fro.

Jeremiah looked and saw: God was there!

Jeremiah looked and there were no people, all the birds of the air had fled.

Jeremiah looked and saw: God was there!

Jeremiah looked and land that had once been fruitful was desert and cities were laid in ruin.

Jeremiah looked and saw: God was there!

"The whole land shall be a desolation," said Jeremiah.  "The earth shall mourn, even the heavens above will grow black.  God has spoken; God has purposed; God will not relent or turn back."

In the midst of the desolation, in the midst of despair and hopelessness, In the midst of destruction and betrayal,  Jeremiah looked and saw: God was there!