August 16
Read Jeremiah 7
Highlights In Today's Reading:
Judah, don't be fooled! Hear the Word of the Lord (7:2,4-5; 9:20,24) Disobedient children experience complete disaster as consequences of their sin. If the prophet of God is sorrowed (8:18-22), what do you think it does to the Heavenly Father's heart? God, forgive our disobedience and help us stay faithful to Your perfect will.
It was in the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah (26:1-2) that the Lord directed Jeremiah to stand near the court of the Lord's House where worshipers would enter from all the cities of Judah. This was during one of three major Feasts (Festivals) to which all Jewish males were required to come to Jerusalem.
On most occasions it was a joyful celebration. But this time Jeremiah pronounced a most severe and harsh accusation from the Lord: Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods . . . And come and stand before Me in this House . . . and say, we are delivered to do all these abominations? (7:9-11).
Although the Israelites maintained the required worship services of God, some also compromised and worshiped Jezebel's Baal and Egypt's queen of heaven. Others built the high places of Tophet . . . to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to Molech, the fire god (7:18,31; Lev. 18:21). The priests, prophets, and people would not tolerate condemnation by "narrow-minded" Jeremiah.
All the people took him, saying, thou shalt surely die (26:8). Jeremiah warned them that Shiloh — which had been the site of the Tabernacle for centuries — had been totally destroyed and that, unless they repented, the Lord declared Jerusalem and the Temple would also be destroyed as I have done to Shiloh (Jer. 7:14-15).
The people believed this was blasphemy. The Temple gave them a feeling of security that God, who had directed Solomon to build it and who had chosen Jerusalem as His City, would never allow them to be destroyed.
Therefore, Jeremiah was told three times by the Lord not to pray for them (7:16; 11:14; 14:11).
Centuries later, Jesus said of the worshipers in Jerusalem: This people . . . honoureth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me (Matt. 15:8). He also warned: Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven (Matt. 7:21).
Thought for Today:
Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a god as our God (Ps. 77:13).
Christ Revealed:
As the One who demanded a cleansed Temple (Jer. 7:1-11). Jesus cleansed the Temple and said: My House shall be called of all nations the House of Prayer (Mark 11:17).
Word Studies:
7:15 the whole seed of Ephraim = all the people of the Northern Kingdom; 7:33 fray = frighten; 9:7 melt them, and try them = refine them by testing with affliction; 10:22 noise of the bruit = sound of a rumor.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Bible Pathway Media Producer: Rick Hash • Government Official: Rep. Earl Blumenauer (OR) • Country: Antigua and Barbuda (64,000) in the Leeward Islands of the eastern Caribbean • Major languages: English and local dialects • Religious freedom • 83% Protestant; 11% Roman Catholic • Prayer Suggestion: Intercede for your nation and friends in prayer with fasting and a self-sacrificing spirit (Esth. 4:16).
Optional Reading: 2 Peter 1
Memory Verse for the Week:Matthew 10:32