Scripture: Jeremiah 7: 1-11
This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Stand at the gate of the Lord’s house and there proclaim this message:
“‘Hear the word of the Lord, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the Lord. This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. Do not trust in deceptive words and say, “This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!” If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your ancestors for ever and ever. But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless.
“‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe”—safe to do all these detestable things? Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching!” declares the Lord.
Consider:
In Jeremiah, God delivers a rather hard message for the people (and the message isn’t any easier for us to swallow today if we’re being honest.) Change your heart, not just your habits…
The people believed that simply being in God’s house guaranteed God’s favor. They worshipped, prayed, and declared, “This is the temple of the Lord,” but as soon as they said amen and left, injustice, oppression, and disobedience continued unchecked. After all, the easy part is saying the words…but God doesn’t seem interested in our words alone.
God’s message is loud and clear, to the point God SPELLS IT OUT for folks: 1. deal with each other justly, 2. do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow and 3. do not shed innocent blood in this place, 4. do not follow other gods to your own harm. There is no mincing of words here.
God makes it clear: True devotion requires transformation. God’s presence is not meant to excuse our behavior but to reshape it.
This passage reminds us that responding to God’s call always involves change. We cannot claim God’s call on our lives while still clinging to habits, attitudes, or actions that contradict that call. Our faith must move from the sanctuary into daily living, from words into actions.
God’s call is an invitation to both see differently and do differently, if we are truly willing to risk real faith.
Respond:
Our world has so many opportunities to feel overwhelmed, too small to help, etc. And yet our call is clear…action is necessary when following God’s call. BUT action doesn’t have to be huge or earth shaking, it just needs to come from a call to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly. Find ONE actionable moment today to do God’s will…is it checking in on a neighbor who isn’t always friendly? Is it calling your representative on an issue that has weighed on your mind? Is it picking up trash you find on your daily walk? One thing today, that’s a great place to start…
Pray:
Lord, help us not to hide behind religious appearances. Give us hearts willing to change, lives that reflect Your justice and love, and the courage to obey Your call fully. Amen.
