Live Above Board
Jeremiah 7:1?10:25
Big picture: King Josiah had done some good. He restored the temple and removed idols from the land, and then foolishly got himself killed in a way God told him not to get in. He’s dead, and King Jehoiakim is ruling and leads Judah back to her old ways. The people of Judah seems to think that if they carried out their traditions and rituals they would be OK, no matter how they behaved. Their hearts were not given over to the Lord. It is in this environment that God sends Jeremiah to the temple to deliver His message.
The first six chapters are filled with warnings about coming judgment. The warnings are woven with opportunities for repentance. Hope is there. As time goes on and the Lord continues to give instructions to the prophet, opportunities for repentance decline.
At the beginning of chapter 7 through 8:3, Jeremiah is told to go to the temple gate and deliver a sermon. It would not be a sermon you would want to hear from your new preacher to get you to like him.
He said that all the outward things (externals) that the nation of Israel thought were necessary to their religion would soon be destroyed – the ark, the temple, the sacrificial system, even the nation itself would be destroyed.
What would be left? The living God and the remnant who knew God through a relationship, not ritual. Later, they would return, but not until the lesson was learned: ritual will not save you.
Later, Haggai and Zechariah would encourage the nation of Israel to rebuild the temple because it was important to their worship. The time had not come for the old covenant to end, but it would.
The response to the sermon (8:4?10:25): The big question in this section is why did the people of God not turn back to Him? Jeremiah says they showed a great lack of wisdom. When you and I are sensible about everyday things, but not about the eternal, we lack wisdom. We are foolish also because of the lack of wisdom. They swallowed the lies of the false prophets, and as a result of their refusal to repent, judgment would come
In chapter 9, it appears that the chosen people assumed they could sin and it was OK just because they were Israel. They continued in sin because they did not choose wisely. Being God’s chosen or covenant people was no escape from judgment or knowing what God was up to.
Lastly, Jeremiah tells how stupid the idols are. Then he prays to God about the judgment he sees coming. He prays for mercy.
At the end of this sermon, Jeremiah was seized and condemned to die (Jeremiah 26). Judah did not like his sermon.
Application:
– Antioch, Barnabas witnessed the grace of God at work. That happens where relationship with God is more important than ritual. Would a lost person see grace at work in your church?
– Is the emphasis in your fellowship more about preferences or about biblical principles? Are the times of worship, certain programs, where you sit, your style of music (all preferences) more important than the presence of God?
– Are we one way during church time and another way outside the building?
– Would your church be under blessing or judgment now?
Barker– Lessons by Ron Barker, evangelism and prayer strategist for the evangelization and missions team of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Barker also taught evangelism at Southwestern Seminary.