Jeremiah 7

Jeremiah 7:1

C. Jeremiah’s Ministry at the Temple-gate (Chaps. 7-10)

1. Judah’s Hypocritical Religion (Chap. 7)7:1-4 Chapter 7 has been called “The Temple Sermon.” The men of Judah thought they were safe because God would never allow the temple to be destroyed. Wrong! They were putting false confidence in the building rather than trusting the One who dwelt there. 7:5-15 Their true safety lay in thoroughly turning from sin and living righteously. They thought they could get away with their sins as long as they came to the temple and said “We are delivered.” Our Lord Himself, whose views of outward religion were like Jeremiah’s, used the prophet’s words in verse 11 about the temple being “a den of thieves,” when He cleansed His Father’s house (Mat_21:13; Mar_11:17; Luk_19:46). Because Judah had polluted and desecrated the temple, it would be destroyed just as the sanctuary in Shiloh had been. (The destruction of Shiloh is believed to have taken place during Judges or 1 Samuel.) 7:16-26 Jeremiah should not pray for . . . Judaheven then they were worshiping the queen of heaven and other gods . . . in the streets. The people might as well eat their offerings and sacrifices. What God desires is obedience, not rituals. Verse 22 must be read in the light of verse 23: sacrifice without commitment is worthless. 7:27-34 Because of Judah’s persistent refusal to receive correction, Jeremiah should lament. Because they polluted the temple and offered human sacrifices, they will be overtaken by a terrible slaughter and the land shall be left desolate.