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Jeremiah 8 · Grade 5

The Harvest Is Past

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Read and Think

Jeremiah 8 continues the warnings of the temple sermon. The chapter opens with grim pictures of judgment, including bones taken from graves and spread before the sun and moon the people had worshiped. Then God asked why his people would not do the most natural thing. People who fall get up, and those who turn away come back. God observed that no one turned back. No one repents of his wickedness, saying, What have I done?

God compared his people to migrating birds. The stork in the sky knows her appointed times, but his people did not know Yahweh's law. Some claimed wisdom because they had the law, but the false pen of the scribes had turned it into a lie. Again prophets and priests healed the people's hurt slightly, saying Peace, peace, when there is no peace.

The chapter ends with one of Jeremiah's laments. The harvest is past. The summer has ended, and we are not saved. Jeremiah said that for the hurt of the daughter of his people he was hurt. Gilead was known for its balm, so he asked, Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? The question is a cry of grief that healing was near, yet the people had not received it.

Show What You Know

  1. What natural thing did the people fail to do?

  2. What did the birds teach?

  3. What had the scribes done to the law?

  4. What does the balm in Gilead question express?

Crossword

3124

Across

  1. Is there no balm in ____.
  2. The ____ has ended, and we are not saved.

Down

  1. Is there no ____ in Gilead.
  2. The ____ is past.
  3. The ____ in the sky knows her appointed times.

Think About It

  1. Knowing a rule and following it are different. How can someone have God's word yet not really know it?

  2. The harvest is past is a picture of a missed chance. How can we respond to God while there is time?

Memory Verse

“Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then isn’t the health of the daughter of my people recovered?”

Jeremiah 8:22 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for healing hurting people. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • How can we keep good rhythms with God?
  • How can we comfort others who are hurting?
  • What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.