Personal • Jeremiah 7:1-15
By Don Schuman
The Word of the Lord that Jeremiah proclaimed in chapter two reminded the people of the Exodus through the wilderness into the Promised Land. This lesson from chapter seven continues to point back to the book of Exodus and Mount Sinai, where the Lord wrote the Ten Commandments on stone tablets.
These commandments, personally inscribed in stone by the finger of God, were a unique and priceless treasure from God to commemorate His covenant with the people. Tragically, the people in Jeremiah’s generation willfully disregarded both true worship of the Lord and the true Word of the Lord.
Listen (Jeremiah 7:1-2). The Lord gave Jeremiah specific instructions regarding His message. The first word was a call to hear the Word of the Lord.
One of the most essential aspects of true worship is to hear the Word of the Lord. Hearing is more important than being heard. Hearing in worship uses the mind and heart as well as the ears.
Hearing the Word is how we develop our faith (Romans 10:17). Sadly, the multitude at the Temple did not come to the Temple to hear the Word of the Lord through the Lord’s prophet, Jeremiah. Nor did they heed other prophets.
The Lord told Ezekiel that the people had ears to hear but hear not: for they are a rebellious house (Ezekiel 12:2).
Correct (Jeremiah 7:3-8). Another important aspect of true worship is to come with clean hands and a pure heart (Psalm 24:3-4). Spiritual cleansing by confession and repentance should be before worship, before the invitation, and before the conclusion of the service.
The Lord called for the people of Israel to correct their mistreatment of others and themselves before coming to the Temple. The specific sins of the nation listed in these verses were: (1) the mistreatment of the resident alien, the fatherless, and widows; (2) shedding innocent blood (which probably was part of their idolatry — Jeremiah 32:35); and (3) following idolatry.
The end of verse six says, “to your hurt.” Sin is self-destructive as it causes pain. Some sins lead to physical and mental illnesses in addition to spiritual breakdown. Ultimately, the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
The people didn’t listen to the Word of the Lord through Jeremiah because they didn’t want to change their ways. People today who are in bondage to sin do not hear the Scriptures because it would mean changing their ways.
Israel also had a false sense of security in the Temple because the glory of the Lord inhabited the Holy of Holies. Later, Ezekiel saw the glory depart from the Temple and destruction came upon both the Temple and the city of Jerusalem itself.
Trusting that our name is on a church roll or being baptized for salvation is not the same as trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ. True hope is in Jesus, the Christ.
Stop (Jermiah 7:9-11). A third aspect of true worship is walking in the ways of the Lord throughout the week. True worship of Him calls for followshipas well as fellowship.
The Lord confronted the people for their disregard for the commandments of God by theft, murder, adultery, lying (numbers six through nine of the Ten Commandments), and having other gods before the Lord (numbers one, two, and therefore number four of the Ten Commandments).
The Temple worshippers in their false worship believed they could live detestably during the week but because they were delivered (“saved”), their actions would have no consequences.
Do some religious people have that same attitude today?
Repeated (Jeremiah 7:12-15). The Lord concludes His declaration to these false worshippers by inviting them to go visit Shiloh, where the Tabernacle once was but had become desolate because of the corruption that replaced true worship. If they thought the Temple would prevent disaster upon them, they should look over the area of Shiloh.
What a lesson in true worship of the Lord! Although corporate worship is essential, true worship is based not on a particular building but within the spirit and heart.
A Samaritan woman encountered Jesus, according to John chapter four, and discussed places of worship. The Samaritans had this mountain and the Jews had Jerusalem, but Jesus explained that the day had come when true worshippers will worship God the Father in Spirit and truth.
Today, believers in Christ Jesus are the Temple of God in whom dwells the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 3:16). Therefore, true worship today exalts God our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit to the glory of God the Father.
Schuman is pastor of Temple Church, Myrtle.
