Slightly or completely refined? We get to choose!!

Jeremiah 6:14

¹⁴ They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly,
Saying, ‘Peace, peace!’
When there is no peace.

Jeremiah is told to prophecy to the people concerning the spiritual leaders of the day. They were telling the people all was okay when in fact from God's perspective it was not! The truth was compromised and it was disturbing the Father's heart and in His time he responds to bring correction. Through Jeremiah He states that the hurts of His people had been healed "slightly". 

Slightly (qalal, hebrew #7043) is used 82 times in the scriptures and means to curse or to make light of someone.  Websters define it as; in a superficial or light manner, easy, trifling having very little weight.

Jeremiah was referring to the way the spiritual leaders superficially tended to the deep wounds of the people. Sadly this same thing is happening today. People are being told what they want to hear rather than the truth. Mathew Henry says in his commentary on this passage, "The more we focus on the "fun", "pleasures" of life the more we make ourselves unfit to face the troubles of life. A day is coming when those careless and secure in sinful ways will be visited."

The strength of this word "slightly" is such that we curse someone when we make light of them or their life by relating superficially and overlooking the truth. Seeing the reality of the depth of an issue and ignoring it in ourselves or others brings a curse. By repentance and reformation we can prevent things coming to an extremity as it did in Jeremiah's time for those who had not been honest with themselves,  the people or with God. If the people had repented the Lord would not have needed to go to the extremes he did to bring restoration.

For fear of offense, rejection and losing relationship we hold back from going to the depths where the real hurt and pain reside and settle for a superficial healing which in the long run brings a curse. Jesus death was not for a superficial healing it was complete. Nothing more needs to be done so we can walk in the freedom he has purchased for us on the cross. It was complete and I want to be part of a process that sees it completed in my own life and every life I touch. What Jesus has done for me isn't lacking, it's my willingness to embrace the fullness of it.  

Jeremiah 6:30

"May we not be called rejected silver because the Lord has rejected me." 

Silver is rejected when it hasn't gone through the necessary process to make it pure. May we say with Isaiah 48:10, "See I have refined you as silver in the furnace of affliction." A completed work! There's a price to pay for this deep work and for wounds to healed more than "slightly". There's a price to pay to be a healer that is willing to go to the deep wounds. May our lives be straight arrows of truth. Uncompromised and willing to pay the price as Jesus has for us.