Jeremiah 7-9
Original Post:  August 16, 2014

Yesterday I began memorizing 6:16, where it talks about "standing at the gate".   Today Jeremiah identifies the gate as the gate to the temple.   In essence he seems to be saying "while you are standing at the entrance to the temple, ask about the old way....that's the right way."    The temple is now filled with detestable idols, and most of them are new (recent).   The "old way" would be the book of the Law.
I think that chapter 7 is the clearest and most plain language I have read to date that explains why God is punishing the people.    As we have been reading, we have heard the reason again and again.   The same message repeated over and over and over.    That's because God is reluctant to bring such a horrible punishment on the people, but He must because of their blatant false worship.   If He allows this to continue, all generations would be lost.   As it will happen, some of the people are shocked back to their senses, and the rest of us have the account of what happens to people who participate in false worship.

The other key thing that I want to mention today is genuine worship.   It seems the people have been going to the temple and praying to God, and asking God for help, and saying in the presence of others how wonderful God is.   They have been kind to one another in public, and have put on appearances...but they are not genuine.   Once they are out of the public eye, they cheat, lie and oppress.   They do not obey what God has commanded them (7:6).

The warning to us is very plain.   We cannot come to church and pray and sing and listen to the sermon and then go home and act badly.   We have no greater understanding of God than the way we behave when no one else is looking.    Have you been kind to the people who are less fortunate than yourself?   Have you charged more than should?   Have you in any way taken advantage of others?   A genuine christian will not do such things, or at the very least, will repent of them having done them.    Have you accepted that there is one God, and only one?   Accepting the idea that there are other gods is foolish and dangerous for a christian.    Learn the lesson that the people of Israel paid dearly to learn.    Be genuine.

On another note:   Chapter 9 gives us a glimpse of why Jeremiah is called the "weeping prophet".    He laments at length, shaves off all his hair (as a captive would be forced to do) and stands in barren places crying.   It would have seemed very out of place  while the enemy was far away, and no one was attacking the city...but in a few short years (maybe less) his actions would be clearly prophetic, and a stark glimpse of what the future held for the rebellious.

Sadly, the people would not listen.   The priests, the scribes, the leaders all lied and deceived and guided the people to their doom.    Their hearts were so hardened that they could not recognize or react to the Word of God when they heard it.

We have the Word of God with us today.   Are you allowing it to change your life?    When God speaks, (even through His Word) are you able to recognize it and make the necessary changes?

We all have room to grow...let's pray that God will continue to open our eyes, give us discernment and wisdom.  Let's also confess Him as Lord over all, and pray that He would grant us the honor of worshiping Him in humility and honesty.    Let's pray for our nation, our communities, and our homes and children.

We are in need, and we stand on the precipice.

PR