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Jeremiah 7:1-29, 8:4-7

Jeremiah 7:1-29, 8:4-7

Do not trust in these deceptive words: ‘This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord.’ – Jeremiah 7:4

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The Israelites who had strayed from God received the words of the Lord through the prophet Jeremiah. The Lord called on them to amend their ways, for the promises of the covenant belong only to those who diligently obey God’s word (Deuteronomy 7:12-15). God’s promise to them was that He would cause them to dwell in the promised land. He admonished them, not to trust in the deceptive words of those false prophets who were declaring, ‘This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!’” (v4)

This “temple sermon” condemns the people for trusting in deceptive words (v4). At that time, the people believed that the temple was holy, the temple of the living God, and therefore an absolute guarantee of Jerusalem’s safety from enemies. The hearts of the Israelites had strayed from God, but they placed great importance on religious rituals and festivals.

Beneath their seemingly pious exterior, God saw their true spiritual condition. They relied on false and useless words, they stole, murdered, committed adultery, swore falsely, burned incense to Baal, and followed gods they did not know. Yet they also went to the temple called by God’s name, worshipped before God, and said, “We are delivered!…” (v8). They treated God’s temple as a “den of robbers” (v11).

Reading these verses, we might be surprised: How could God’s people have fallen to such a state? How could they dare to offend this holy and righteous God so boldly? While worshipping false gods, they also dared to “worship” the God who searches the hearts of men? The temple had become an idol, taking the place that God should have held in their hearts. They did not respond to the Lord’s call. (v13)

The Israelites disregarded God’s words and did what He detested; so much so that God told the prophet not to pray for the people anymore. What God desired was for the Israelites to obey His words (v23), but they were a people who did not heed instruction; they had lost their integrity (v28). When a person falls, it is natural to rise up again, but God’s people were stubborn and rebellious, and “no man relents of his evil.”(8:6) Migratory birds know when to migrate, but God’s people do not even know the rules of the Lord (8:7). God’s statutes guide His people toward truth and light, but even a little disobedience to God’s word, over time, leads to a dreadful outcome. We must take heed!

Reflection:
Do we know what God requires of us? Can we make a new start in diligently obeying God’s word?

Prayer:
Abba Father, thank You for giving us Your word to guide us on the path of life. Please help us to desire You more deeply and to heed Your words earnestly. In the victorious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen!

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