Tuesday - Jeremiah 7 - Amend Your Ways

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ROM the temple gate, Jeremiah cried out to the congregation for them to amend their ways (Jeremiah 7:3 & 5). Their future was dependent upon God's mercy, but God's mercy was dependent upon their willingness (or refusal) in relation to doing things God's way. The people of God were caught up in superstitions regarding the temple and certain sacrifices, but they were simply not obedient people. God wanted to see fidelity and holiness in them (Jeremiah 7:23). They were only interested in freedom, rituals and fulfilling their own pleasure (Jeremiah 7:24). What a strange theology they had, as is exemplified in Jeremiah 7:10, where it is recorded that they said, "We are delivered to do all these abominations?"

God had faithfully and frequently spoken to Israel about their wayward ways, but to no avail (Jeremiah 7:25-26). Here again, young Jeremiah was sent by God to invite them to change. His words also fell on deaf ears. As such, God promised that He would do in Jerusalem and Judah what He had already done in Ephraim. The end that Assyria had accomplished in the Northern Kingdom would be finished by Babylon in the Southern Kingdom. The strange and errant religious tone of the Jews was matched by an equally unexpected response from God. Jeremiah 7:16 records for us that God told Jeremiah not to pray for these Jews; at least not publicly, not at this time and not for their peace. He had determined that their irreverent response to Him demanded judgment. Their punishment was set. Everyone was guilty and everyone was going to have to pay.