Jeremiah 7 Introduction
In Jeremiah 7, the idolatrous people of Judah fooled themselves into believing they were safe because God’s Temple was in Jerusalem. Similarly, many American believe that as long as there are Christians in America, they are safe from invasion, defeat, and judgment.
Key Word / Phrase: “Amend your ways,” v 3.
Key Verse: “Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit,” v. 8.
The Sermon at the Temple Gate
A. Amend your ways, v. 3
Temple attendance gave them false security that God would not judge them and have His temple destroyed.
The indictment: vv. 9-10
The presumption: as long as I go to church and ask forgiveness, I can do whatever I feel like.
B. Real repentance is rewarded with forgiveness, vv. 5-7.
C. Den of thieves: the people made the Temple a den (a gathering and hiding place) of thieves. Thieves operate in secret. God told them He sees their wickedness and they cannot hide secret sins.
D. Gal_6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
E. The illustration of Shiloh, vv. 12-15.
- Shiloh was the religious center of Israel for 400 years.
- In Jeremiah’s day, Shiloh was an abandoned ruin.
- God warns that Jerusalem is headed for the same fate.
The Price of Provoking the Lord
A. God tells Jeremiah not to pray for this people, v. 16.
B. The Queen of Heaven was the Babylonian Ishtar and the Canaanite goddess Asherah, introduced by Manasseh, 2 Kgs 21.3ff.
- Jerusalem families worshipped together.
- Children gathered wood.
- Fathers kindled a fire.
- Women kneaded dough to bake cakes for the Queen of Heaven.
C. Provacation of God results in His furious judgment, v. 20.
D. Disobedience and sacrifice, vv. 21-26.
- Burnt offerings were reserved for God only.
- Since the people only offered offerings out of custom, they might as well eat them as well as the meal offerings.
- Instead of sacrifices, God commanded: “Obey My voice.”
- The people followed the dictates of their own thoughts, rather than the Word of God.
The Prophet at the Gate
A. Jeremiah will preach, but none will repent, v. 27.
B. The evil influence of idolatry
- People rely on their thoughts about what is right and wrong
- People will not obey the Word of God
- People refuse to be corrected
- Truth perishes and people trust lies.
C. Cut off your hair and cast it away–>refers to the Nazirite’s hair, showing that one is separated unto God.
D. Topheth means “fireplace.”
E. Valley of the Son of Hinnom, it was a garbage dump with continual smoldering fires.
F. God never commanded human or child sacrifice.
G. The Valley of Slaughter will be where the dead bodies of the Jews will be cast after an invasion.
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