The Barren Heart

Aim: To have fertile hearts, in which the seed of God's Word flourishes.

Doctrine: Sin leaves my soul sterile and lifeless. Sin opposes the very principle of life and the Prince of life.

Exegesis: Relational sorrows of the barren heart: familial life (vv. 1-4), societal life (vv. 5-9), and covenantal life (vv. 10-13) are hurt by sin.

Further application: How to accord my heart with the new (Christ) life: break it up with repentance, and earnestly desire the seed of God's word.

Key verses: vv. 1-2 ''The word of the LORD also came to me, saying, 'You shall not take a wife, nor shall you have sons or daughters in this place.'''