Jeremiah 7:1-34
Q.1. To where was Jeremiah to deliver God’s message? Was there any hope? How far had the nation drifted? How was Judah approaching God’s house? What warning did Jeremiah give? – (Jer.7:1-15)
God commanded Jeremiah to preach in the entrance of the gates of the temple (Jer.7:2). He was told in advance that the people would not listen to him (Jer.7:27). Nevertheless, the prophet faithfully proclaimed the words of the Lord – the exhortations, promises, and denunciations (Jer.7:3-26). The Lord promised – 3 Amend your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place … 7 the place that I gave to your fathers forever and ever. Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that I may dwell with you (Jer.7:3, 7, 23). God demanded a return to godly living – 5 For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly practice justice between a man and his neighbour, 6 if you do not oppress the alien, the orphan, or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, nor walk after other gods to your own ruin (Jer.7:5-6). Their religion had deteriorated into a sham, and their actions included stealing, murder, adultery, broken vows, and idolatry (Jer.7:4, 8-10). Jesus would ask the same question generations later, as God did then – Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of robbers in your sight (Jer.7:11 c.f. Mt.21:13; Lk.19:46). He accused the nation of trusting in a building, rather than the God it represented (Jer.9:14). He advised them to look at the devastation at Shiloh. This had been the place of the first tabernacle that was desecrated by Eli and his sons. The people should remember that God had destroyed it forever (Jer.7:12-15).
Q.2. Why was Jeremiah told to stop interceding for Judah? What did God require? How had Israel treated God throughout their history? How had Judah insulted God? What would He do? – (Jer.7:16-34)
Because Judah had stopped taking any notice of God’s warnings, Jeremiah was told that neither his nor the people’s intercession would be answered (Jer.7:16). Their false sacrifices and insulting conduct had made God angry (Jer.7:17-20). God reminded them that true religion had never been about going through the motions of sacrifices, but that He desired His people to – ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.’ (Jer.7:23). Down through the generations, Israel did not heed God’s voice (Jer.7:24-26). Consequently, His patience had run out, for – the Lord has rejected and forsaken ‘the generation of His wrath’ (Jer.7:29). He asked if Jeremiah had observed the worst defilement possible being perpetrated in Judah – burning their sons and daughters in the fire, which I did not command … (Jer.7:31 c.f. 2 Chron.33:3-6). The valley of burning would be known as the valley of slaughter where – 33 The dead bodies of this people will be food for the birds of the sky and for the beasts of the earth; and no one will frighten them away. 34 Then I will make to cease from the cities of Judah and from the streets of Jerusalem the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride; for the land will become a ruin (Jer.7:33-34). This corresponds with God’s judgment at the end of the Great Tribulation (Rev.14:19-20; 18:21-24; 19:17-18).