Getting In the Word: Jeremiah Chapter 7

GETTING INTO THE WORD: The weeping prophet Jeremiah wasn't weeping and wailing for no reason, or shall I say, without reason. This major prophet prophesied 600 years before the birth of Christ in Judah, the southern part of the divided kingdom prior to and during Babylonian captivity.  The books of Jeremiah and Lamentations both bear his name. When Jeremiah saw the depravity of his people, he cried. He cried for them, and he cried to them over and over again to change their wicked ways. In verse 3, the Lord told him to tell the people, "Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place." Don't you hear Jeremiah crying aloud today?

In Jeremiah chapter 7, we find Jeremiah preaching at a strategic position at the temple entrance. The Lord sent him there to warn the people to reform. The people, though, weren't havin' it. They thought since they had the temple and the Lord was with them they could do whatever they wanted as long as they went to church and gave their sacrifices. 9 “‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury,[a burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, 10 and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe”—safe to do all these detestable things? 11 Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord."

In verse 12, Jeremiah told the people to go to Shiloh. God's temple was once there, but He destroyed it. God told the people through the prophet, don't think I won't destroy your temple, too,  “‘Go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for my Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of my people Israel. 13 While you were doing all these things, declares the Lord, I spoke to you again and again, but you did not listen; I called you, but you did not answer.14 Therefore, what I did to Shiloh I will now do to the house that bears my Name, the temple you trust in, the place I gave to you and your ancestors. 15 I will thrust you from my presence, just as I did all your fellow Israelites, the people of Ephraim.’

Newsflash! It ain't about the building. It ain't about superficial religiosity. It's about a geniuine covenant relationship with almighty God. We can't do whatever we want -- disobey, disrespect, dishonor, the Lord and expect to receive His blessings. It ain't gonna happen... not then, not now! Jesus saves!