Read a tragic display of the human heart today in Jeremiah 44. Verse 16-17 says, "As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the Name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee. But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth." Hear the words of these men before judgement is foretold: "Pray for us unto the Lord. . .that the Lord thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do."(42:2-3) From what did such scorning and hate arise? The rebellious spirit overwhelmed them even in their statement of submission. I believe the answer is found in 45:5: "And seekest thou great things for thyself?" Why did Israel only turn to the Lord during trajedy? they sought great things for themselves. At this point (they knew their past) they expected God to "return" as He did in the past. But Jeremiah prophecied that they would be captives even if they turned back now. God knew they would only continue in the cycle, never taking thought for God's pleasure, but rather for their inhabiting a peaceful and prosperous land. Are we willing to live unto the pleasure of the Lord and still go to hell for it? God will not suffer that to happen, but would we be so overtaken by Him that we would suffer hell that He might have pleasure? Why do we exist, but for His pleasure? Is there any other Infinite? Behold, all things are His dominion; He is Ulitimate. Our pleasure and good matter not. He searches the hearts for one to please Him, to show HIMSELF strong. He is jealous. He deserves to be. "And seeketh thou great things for thyself? seek them not." "I am the Lord. There is none beside Me."