Session 3 | Jeremiah 7:1-15
how God described the way genuine obedience to Him should be reflected in how we treat others.
3 “This is what the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says:
Correct your ways and your actions, and I will allow you
to live in this place.”4 “‘Do not trust deceitful words, chanting,
“This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD.”
5 Instead, if you really correct your ways and your actions,
if you act justly toward one another,’”6 “‘If you no longer oppress the resident alien,
the fatherless, and the widow
and no longer shed innocent blood in this place
or follow other gods, bringing harm on yourselves.
7 I will allow you to live in this place,
the land I gave to your ancestors long ago and forever.’”8 “‘But look, you keep trusting in deceitful words
that cannot help.’”
the two demands God made of the people in verses 4-5.
Correct your ways and your actions
Note that the temple had become something of an idol to the people.
They were trusting the place
instead of trusting the Person who gave the place meaning and purpose.
even good things can create problems
when viewed with an improper perspective.
Course Correction Needed.
Call attention to God’s command
that the people “correct your ways and your actions” in verse 5.
search verses 5-8
and name aloud tche “corrections” God wanted the people to make.
Note that God cares about how people treat one another.
State that no matter how clearly God laid out what He expected of the people,
they continued refusing to listen to His prophet.
They thought they could enjoy the blessings of their relationship with the Lord
without accepting the expectations and responsibilities that came with it.