Jeremiah 9

Evidently there were professional wailers in Israel who would lament over a target issue. The Lord instructed Jeremiah to gather the skillful wailing women to focus on the apparent sin issues of the day. As they wailed, it stirred a similar emotional response in the hearers. Point; there was evidence of repentance that could be seen and heard.

Obviously, the goal of repentance is to turn away from sin and strike a new, righteous direction in life. Here we consider an appropriate emotional, visible and audible response to accompany the heart’s change in direction. It must have been a good thing or else the LORD would not have requested it.

When disciplining children, it is necessary to elicit an emotional response from them … a breaking with evidence of tears and visible remorse. Then you know you’re getting through. They will press in and love and respect you for it.