JEREMIAH 7:1-15
MEMORY VERSE: JEREMIAH 7:23
Corporate worship is an important element of church life. But what about the rest of the week? How does the way we live the other days of the week reflect our worship on Sunday? While it is important that believers gather to worship, religious activity can never substitute for obedient living. The expressions of worship that God accepts are those that come from sincere and submissive hearts. Anything less is offensive to God.
(In PSG, p. 28)
God called Jeremiah to stand in the gate of the Lord’s house and preach to the people (7:1-15). Jeremiah warned God’s people not to trust in empty words but in faithful action. It did no good for them to proclaim God’s salvation in His house on holy days if they were just going to ignore Him the rest of the time. God warned that He would make Jerusalem just like Shiloh, a former Israelite worship center that had been destroyed.
The Lord also instructed Jeremiah not to pray for the people (7:16-20). He wanted His people to demonstrate faith through obedience, but they had not (7:21-26). The Lord denounced Judah’s wickedness and warned a great day of judgment and slaughter was coming (7:27–8:3).
The Lord lamented that His people continued to turn away (8:4-7). Judah’s leaders, who falsely promised peace, would experience His wrath (8:8-13). Jeremiah confessed his personal sorrow as He anticipated Judah’s coming exile (8:14-22). In fact, he actually wept over his people (9:1-22). The Lord promised even more mourning, as Judah’s cities would become desolate. Jeremiah wondered if anyone was wise enough to understand the reason for their calamity. Judah had many proud people, but Jeremiah urged them to boast in the Lord rather than in themselves (9:23-24). !~Jeremiah contrasted false gods with the one true God (10:1-16). People worshiped worthless idols while the Lord reigned as King of the nations. No idol could compare. Judah’s foolishness would end soon, though, because God would show Himself supreme over all.
Jeremiah experienced great mental anguish because the people did not listen to him (10:19-22). He asked the Lord to keep him faithful, even as God judged those nations that opposed Him (10:23-25).
EXPLORE THE TEXT
1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: 2 “Stand in the gate of the house of the LORD and there call out this word: ‘Hear the word of the LORD, all you people of Judah who enter through these gates to worship the LORD.’”
The chapter’s opening words the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD provide an important introduction. The message Jeremiah spoke came from God, not from himself. Some interpreters note the close parallels with Jeremiah 26, which is dated toward the beginning of evil King Jehoiakim’s reign (around 609 BC). Others believe the chapters describe similar but distinct events.
God instructed Jeremiah to stand in the gate of God’s house, the temple. Jerusalem lay close to Judah’s northern border, so most people who entered the temple area would have entered from the south. Consequently, many interpreters believe Jeremiah was standing at the temple’s southern entrance. The command call out this word indicates Jeremiah was to preach loudly and publicly. The prophet would invite all to hear the word of the LORD. The word translated hear implies obedience. Jeremiah would make sure everyone heard God’s words, but individuals were responsible to obey.
The rest of the verse identifies Jeremiah’s audience: anyone who came to worship the LORD. God’s concern extended to all His people, not merely the leaders. The Judeans had come through these gates to honor God, which normally would have been a good thing. However, God challenged them to understand and practice the true meaning of worship.
Believers should listen to God’s message, but we also must act on what He says as His Spirit guides us. God’s message may come through our worship in singing, corporate prayer, or preaching. Regardless, God wants us not only to hear His words but also to apply it to our lives for His glory.
(In PSG, p. 30)
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.”
Jeremiah’s opening words again stress Jeremiah’s messenger role, but they also emphasize one aspect of God’s character. The name LORD of Armies signifies God’s control of heavenly forces and His sovereign power over all creation. Interestingly, Jeremiah used the expression God of Israel rather than “God of Judah.” The Northern Kingdom of Israel had fallen to Assyria in 721 BC. However, the Bible tells us some people from the North turned back to God after Israel fell (2 Chron. 30:1-2), so Jeremiah could have included them by this designation.
God issued a challenge to correct your ways and your actions. The way the people lived did not match their professed faith, and God insisted that their behavior needed to change. If it did, He would allow you to live in this place. The people’s situation was not hopeless, but they needed to repent and submit themselves to God’s commands once again.
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,’”
Do not trust deceitful words could also be rendered “stop trusting deceitful words.” The original Hebrew implies the people were already trusting falsehoods, and the prophet insisted it stop. The people’s repetitive chant about the temple of the LORD was technically correct. King Solomon had built the temple and God had chosen it as His dwelling place (1 Kings 9:3). But Jeremiah would explain how their words were deceitful words.
Jeremiah said that if the people would really transform their ways and actions, God would respond. The Hebrew wording stresses that Jeremiah was calling Judah to sincere, comprehensive change. Token lip service would not do. They also had to act justly toward one another. True justice came when people determined to treat one another as God prescribed. In a day when people were concerned only about themselves, Jeremiah called them to reflect on God’s desire for His people.
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.’”
God consistently demonstrates concern for the outcasts of society whose rights could be trampled. Here, He emphasized the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow. The term resident alien designates someone who lived temporarily in Judah. The law of Moses stressed fair and equitable treatment for such people (Ex. 23:9), but clearly Judah was not following this command.
The law also commanded fair treatment for those who had no father to represent them or to provide for them. Widows also could face injustice from people in power. Isaiah, who prophesied a century before Jeremiah, chastised God’s people for the same sins (Isa. 1:17,23).
Jeremiah’s next stipulation—no longer shed innocent blood—implies that those in authority were putting others to death simply because they could get away with it. Jerusalem was Judah’s capital and should have furnished an example of justice for the rest of the country. Instead, it was better known for violence and injustice.
Finally, Jeremiah warned the people that they should not follow other gods. The first commandment told Israel to worship God alone (Ex. 20:3), but they were compromising their worship by also serving other gods. God made it clear that such idolatry would harm the nation.
In contrast, if the people chose to submit to God, He would allow you to live in the promised land, the inheritance He had given their ancestors long ago and forever. God had delivered His people from centuries of slavery in Egypt (Ex. 12:40-42). He had led them to the land He had promised to Abraham (Josh. 21:43-45). Nevertheless, God’s promise required obedience, and disaster would come if the people turned away from Him to other gods (Lev. 26:14-39; Deut. 28:15-68).
8 “‘But look, you keep trusting in deceitful words that cannot help.’”
Jeremiah’s challenge about trusting in deceitful words echoed his earlier warning (v. 4). Indeed, the people were worshiping at the temple, but their worshipful words as they approached the temple simply did not match their actions away from the temple. In some ways, the temple itself had become an idol. Judah’s words and actions revealed that the people were trusting in the building more than they were trusting in God.
Believers should demonstrate faithfulness to God by showing love to others. One way we do this is by recognizing each person’s value as an individual made in the image of God. We should not serve others because we expect something in return. Jesus urged His followers to serve without expectation of reward or reciprocation (Luke 14:12-14).
(In PSG, p. 33)
9 “‘Do you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known?’”
Jeremiah continued to condemn the people’s sin. The words translated steal, murder, adultery, and swear falsely are the same words that appear in the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:13-16). Apparently these practices were rampant in Judah. The people were taking property and lives, violating marriage covenants, and providing false testimony.
To burn incense to Baal meant worshiping a Canaanite fertility deity. The book of Judges recounts how God’s people often bowed to Baal (Judg. 2:13; 3:7). Then, under Israel’s wicked rulers King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, Baal worship in the Northern Kingdom reached its apex. During those days, God sent Elijah to demonstrate God’s power over Baal (1 Kings 18:20-40).
Jeremiah’s words regarding gods that you have not known further stressed their lack of allegiance to the Lord. God had used the special word known to describe His relationship with His people (Amos 3:2). The people should have known only a personal relationship with the Lord, but they also went after other deities instead.
10 “‘Then do you come and stand before me in this house that bears my name and say, “We are rescued, so we can continue doing all these detestable acts”?’”
God expressed frustration with His people. They would stand before me in this house. They rightly were worshiping at the place He had chosen to place His name. Nevertheless, He knew the corruption that filled their hearts and how they lived away from the temple.
Translators differ on how to render the words we are rescued, so we can continue doing all these detestable acts. Some translations (like the CSB) suggest the entire statement belongs to the people, while others attribute only part of the sentence to them. The Hebrew original is ambiguous, but either rendering captures the same sense. The people thought coming to the temple was enough to guarantee God’s blessing, even if they lived wickedly the rest of the time. The word translated detestable acts describes all despicable actions related to this hypocrisy (Lev. 18:26,29,30).
11 “‘Has this house, which bears my name, become a den of robbers in your view? Yes, I too have seen it. This is the LORD’s declaration.’”
Has this house . . . become a den of robbers . . . ? highlights Judah’s spiritual failure. God had chosen to place His name on the temple so people could worship Him there. However, the people’s wickedness, even around the temple itself, had made it like a den of robbers. Centuries later, Jesus also accused religious leaders of turning God’s house into a den of robbers (Matt. 21:13). God’s words yes, I too have seen it emphasize God’s personal witness of Judah’s evil; He had seen it all! His declaration, which appears often in Jeremiah (1:8,15,19; 2:3,9,12), again emphasized that Jeremiah’s words came directly from God.
Believers must confront their sin instead of excusing it. The apostle Paul wrote that living under God’s grace does not mean we have license to live however we please (Rom. 6:1-2). Rather, grace frees us from slavery to sin so we can know the freedom of following His commands (Rom. 6:15-23).
(In PSG, p. 34)
12 “‘But return to my place that was at Shiloh, where I made my name dwell at first. See what I did to it because of the evil of my people Israel.’”
God provided the people a sobering object lesson by referring to Shiloh. An ancient worship center, Shiloh lay well north of Jerusalem in the territory of Ephraim. In Canaan, Israel set the tabernacle at Shiloh (Josh. 18:1). Later, the priest Eli and his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, brought shame to Shiloh (1 Sam. 2:12-36), though the prophet Samuel also served there.
Archaeological evidence suggests that after the Philistines defeated Israel and captured the ark of the covenant (1 Sam. 4:1-11), they destroyed Shiloh around 1050 BC. Jeremiah issued God’s challenge: See what I did to it. Shiloh had been Israel’s worship center, but God destroyed it because of His people’s evil ways. He would do the same to Jerusalem.
13 “‘Now, because you have done all these things—this is the LORD’s declaration—and because I have spoken to you time and time again but you wouldn’t listen, and I have called to you, but you wouldn’t answer,’”
God’s conclusion was coming, but the people were sure not to like it. The words because you have done all these things drove home the point that God indeed had witnessed all the evil Jeremiah had described. Further, God had repeatedly spoken, but the people wouldn’t listen and wouldn’t answer His call.
He had given His people the law and other Scripture. He had sent prophets (2 Kings 17:13-14). He had called to them over and over, but they had chosen to ignore Him and His messengers.
God continues to call people today. He calls us through the Scriptures, but He also speaks through faithful pastors and Bible study leaders. He also works through the counsel of Christian friends. God has given us every opportunity to follow Him. But He also has given us a choice.
14 “‘what I did to Shiloh I will do to the house that bears my name, the house in which you trust, the place that I gave you and your ancestors.’”
The Lord announced His sad conclusion: What He had done to Shiloh more than four centuries earlier, He would do to His house and to His people. God referred to the temple as the house in which you trust—a statement that highlighted the people’s problem. They trusted in a building made by their ancestors, not in the God who gave that building its meaning and purpose.
During Jeremiah’s day, the people embraced some dangerous lies to their own peril. They trusted in the temple and believed God would bless them regardless of how they lived. They trusted their priests to provide the right sacrifices, and in King David’s descendants sitting on their throne nearby. But God wanted more than lip service; He wanted their hearts and lives. True followers of God embrace His commands.
15 “‘I will banish you from my presence, just as I banished all of your brothers, all the descendants of Ephraim.’”
God further warned that He would banish the people from His presence. The word translated banish implies a forceful flinging. Elsewhere it describes a lion savagely throwing its victim to the ground (1 Kings 13:24-25). The comparison to Ephraim recalled the judgment of not only Shiloh, but also the entire Northern Kingdom, which was sometimes called Ephraim (Isa. 7:2; Hos. 11:3,8). Jerusalem stood in danger of experiencing the same judgment.
God’s Word makes it clear that we should gather regularly with other believers (Heb. 10:24-25), but He also wants us to worship Him with our lives the rest of the week. Paul challenged the Romans to offer their bodies as living sacrifices to God (Rom. 12:1). People who attend church but live their own way the rest of the week fall short of God’s righteous expectation. True worship is reflected in our commitment to godly living.
(In PSG, p. 35)
The Christian and Social Order
We should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the abused, the aged, the helpless, and the sick. (See Ex. 22:21-22; Jas. 1:27.)
Use a concordance and/or Bible dictionary to learn more about a feature of Israel’s religious life.
Use a concordance to find references to Shiloh in Scripture and read about it in a Bible dictionary. Note key people and events associated with the place. Note your findings about Shiloh’s role and importance in Israel’s history. How does what you learned help you better understand the severity of the warning in Jeremiah 7:12?
Invite a volunteer to read aloud Jeremiah 7:1-2,
while the group listens for where and how God told Jeremiah to deliver His message.
1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: 2 “Stand in the gate of the house of the LORD and there call out this word: ‘Hear the word of the LORD, all you people of Judah who enter through these gates to worship the LORD.’”
Jeremiah delivered God’s message for all the people to hear.
It was not meant to be just a casual hearing,
but careful listening followed by godly actions.
Read aloud Jeremiah 7:3-8,
as the group listens for 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.’”
Call for adults to name the two demands God made of the people in verses 4-5.
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.
Remind the group that even good things can create problems when viewed with an improper perspective.
Write this heading on the board:
Course Correction Needed.
Call attention to God’s command
that the people “correct your ways and your actions” in verse 5.
Direct the group to search verses 5-8
and name aloud the “corrections” God wanted the people to make.
List these on the board under the heading.
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.
Invite a volunteer to read aloud Jeremiah 7:9-11,
while the group listens for the specific commands that God gave the people about their sin.
9 “‘Do you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known?’”
10 “‘Then do you come and stand before me in this house that bears my name and say, “We are rescued, so we can continue doing all these detestable acts”?’”
11 “‘Has this house, which bears my name, become a den of robbers in your view? Yes, I too have seen it. This is the LORD’s declaration.’”
The people were breaking God’s commands.
Despite their sin, they still came to the temple and presented themselves to God.
They wrongly thought that keeping the temple rituals freed them to live sinful lives.
Believers must confront their sin instead of excusing it.
The apostle Paul wrote that living under God’s grace
does not mean we have license to live however we please
(Rom. 6:1-2).
Maybe the people thought their sin had gone unnoticed.
God’s words to His people show that He had seen their “detestable acts.”
Direct the group to read Jeremiah 7:12-15,
guiding them to note the warning given about the consequences the people would face if they refused to return to God.
12 “‘But return to my place that was at Shiloh, where I made my name dwell at first. See what I did to it because of the evil of my people Israel.’”
13 “‘Now, because you have done all these things—this is the LORD’s declaration—and because I have spoken to you time and time again but you wouldn’t listen, and I have called to you, but you wouldn’t answer,’”
14 “‘what I did to Shiloh I will do to the house that bears my name, the house in which you trust, the place that I gave you and your ancestors.’”
15 “‘I will banish you from my presence, just as I banished all of your brothers, all the descendants of Ephraim.’”
Discuss the significance of Shiloh
and the defeat that happened there.
Direct attention to Pack Item 3 (Poster: Key Events at Shiloh)
to share additional information.
The warnings given in God’s Word are there for our benefit.
Situations may change over time,
but His expectations for His people never do.
Guide adults to discuss the Apply the Text questions on page 31.
Make a list of ideas on the board and
challenge the group to demonstrate concern for one another through these ideas.
Remind them that true accountability is grounded in love.
Encourage the group to take time this coming week to reflect on
the Apply the Text questions on page 35.
Remind learners that true worship includes obedient action.
As you evaluate particular ways to worship God more fully this week,
ask Him to help you identify ways that you can obey Him completely.
Reinforce the study by evaluating the ways you can connect godly living with true worship in your daily activities. Share your thoughts with the group and encourage them to do the same.
##
SESSION 3
JEREMIAH 7:1-15
MEMORY VERSE: JEREMIAH 7:23
Corporate worship is an important element of church life. But what about the rest of the week? How does the way we live the other days of the week reflect our worship on Sunday? While it is important that believers gather to worship, religious activity can never substitute for obedient living. The expressions of worship that God accepts are those that come from sincere and submissive hearts. Anything less is offensive to God.
(In PSG, p. 28)
God called Jeremiah to stand in the gate of the Lord’s house and preach to the people (7:1-15). Jeremiah warned God’s people not to trust in empty words but in faithful action. It did no good for them to proclaim God’s salvation in His house on holy days if they were just going to ignore Him the rest of the time. God warned that He would make Jerusalem just like Shiloh, a former Israelite worship center that had been destroyed.
The Lord also instructed Jeremiah not to pray for the people (7:16-20). He wanted His people to demonstrate faith through obedience, but they had not (7:21-26). The Lord denounced Judah’s wickedness and warned a great day of judgment and slaughter was coming (7:27–8:3).
The Lord lamented that His people continued to turn away (8:4-7). Judah’s leaders, who falsely promised peace, would experience His wrath (8:8-13). Jeremiah confessed his personal sorrow as He anticipated Judah’s coming exile (8:14-22). In fact, he actually wept over his people (9:1-22). The Lord promised even more mourning, as Judah’s cities would become desolate. Jeremiah wondered if anyone was wise enough to understand the reason for their calamity. Judah had many proud people, but Jeremiah urged them to boast in the Lord rather than in themselves (9:23-24). !~Jeremiah contrasted false gods with the one true God (10:1-16). People worshiped worthless idols while the Lord reigned as King of the nations. No idol could compare. Judah’s foolishness would end soon, though, because God would show Himself supreme over all.
Jeremiah experienced great mental anguish because the people did not listen to him (10:19-22). He asked the Lord to keep him faithful, even as God judged those nations that opposed Him (10:23-25).
EXPLORE THE TEXT
1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: 2 “Stand in the gate of the house of the LORD and there call out this word: ‘Hear the word of the LORD, all you people of Judah who enter through these gates to worship the LORD.’”
The chapter’s opening words the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD provide an important introduction. The message Jeremiah spoke came from God, not from himself. Some interpreters note the close parallels with Jeremiah 26, which is dated toward the beginning of evil King Jehoiakim’s reign (around 609 BC). Others believe the chapters describe similar but distinct events.
God instructed Jeremiah to stand in the gate of God’s house, the temple. Jerusalem lay close to Judah’s northern border, so most people who entered the temple area would have entered from the south. Consequently, many interpreters believe Jeremiah was standing at the temple’s southern entrance. The command call out this word indicates Jeremiah was to preach loudly and publicly. The prophet would invite all to hear the word of the LORD. The word translated hear implies obedience. Jeremiah would make sure everyone heard God’s words, but individuals were responsible to obey.
The rest of the verse identifies Jeremiah’s audience: anyone who came to worship the LORD. God’s concern extended to all His people, not merely the leaders. The Judeans had come through these gates to honor God, which normally would have been a good thing. However, God challenged them to understand and practice the true meaning of worship.
Believers should listen to God’s message, but we also must act on what He says as His Spirit guides us. God’s message may come through our worship in singing, corporate prayer, or preaching. Regardless, God wants us not only to hear His words but also to apply it to our lives for His glory.
(In PSG, p. 30)
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.”
Jeremiah’s opening words again stress Jeremiah’s messenger role, but they also emphasize one aspect of God’s character. The name LORD of Armies signifies God’s control of heavenly forces and His sovereign power over all creation. Interestingly, Jeremiah used the expression God of Israel rather than “God of Judah.” The Northern Kingdom of Israel had fallen to Assyria in 721 BC. However, the Bible tells us some people from the North turned back to God after Israel fell (2 Chron. 30:1-2), so Jeremiah could have included them by this designation.
God issued a challenge to correct your ways and your actions. The way the people lived did not match their professed faith, and God insisted that their behavior needed to change. If it did, He would allow you to live in this place. The people’s situation was not hopeless, but they needed to repent and submit themselves to God’s commands once again.
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,’”
Do not trust deceitful words could also be rendered “stop trusting deceitful words.” The original Hebrew implies the people were already trusting falsehoods, and the prophet insisted it stop. The people’s repetitive chant about the temple of the LORD was technically correct. King Solomon had built the temple and God had chosen it as His dwelling place (1 Kings 9:3). But Jeremiah would explain how their words were deceitful words.
Jeremiah said that if the people would really transform their ways and actions, God would respond. The Hebrew wording stresses that Jeremiah was calling Judah to sincere, comprehensive change. Token lip service would not do. They also had to act justly toward one another. True justice came when people determined to treat one another as God prescribed. In a day when people were concerned only about themselves, Jeremiah called them to reflect on God’s desire for His people.
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.’”
God consistently demonstrates concern for the outcasts of society whose rights could be trampled. Here, He emphasized the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow. The term resident alien designates someone who lived temporarily in Judah. The law of Moses stressed fair and equitable treatment for such people (Ex. 23:9), but clearly Judah was not following this command.
The law also commanded fair treatment for those who had no father to represent them or to provide for them. Widows also could face injustice from people in power. Isaiah, who prophesied a century before Jeremiah, chastised God’s people for the same sins (Isa. 1:17,23).
Jeremiah’s next stipulation—no longer shed innocent blood—implies that those in authority were putting others to death simply because they could get away with it. Jerusalem was Judah’s capital and should have furnished an example of justice for the rest of the country. Instead, it was better known for violence and injustice.
Finally, Jeremiah warned the people that they should not follow other gods. The first commandment told Israel to worship God alone (Ex. 20:3), but they were compromising their worship by also serving other gods. God made it clear that such idolatry would harm the nation.
In contrast, if the people chose to submit to God, He would allow you to live in the promised land, the inheritance He had given their ancestors long ago and forever. God had delivered His people from centuries of slavery in Egypt (Ex. 12:40-42). He had led them to the land He had promised to Abraham (Josh. 21:43-45). Nevertheless, God’s promise required obedience, and disaster would come if the people turned away from Him to other gods (Lev. 26:14-39; Deut. 28:15-68).
8 “‘But look, you keep trusting in deceitful words that cannot help.’”
Jeremiah’s challenge about trusting in deceitful words echoed his earlier warning (v. 4). Indeed, the people were worshiping at the temple, but their worshipful words as they approached the temple simply did not match their actions away from the temple. In some ways, the temple itself had become an idol. Judah’s words and actions revealed that the people were trusting in the building more than they were trusting in God.
Believers should demonstrate faithfulness to God by showing love to others. One way we do this is by recognizing each person’s value as an individual made in the image of God. We should not serve others because we expect something in return. Jesus urged His followers to serve without expectation of reward or reciprocation (Luke 14:12-14).
(In PSG, p. 33)
9 “‘Do you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known?’”
Jeremiah continued to condemn the people’s sin. The words translated steal, murder, adultery, and swear falsely are the same words that appear in the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:13-16). Apparently these practices were rampant in Judah. The people were taking property and lives, violating marriage covenants, and providing false testimony.
To burn incense to Baal meant worshiping a Canaanite fertility deity. The book of Judges recounts how God’s people often bowed to Baal (Judg. 2:13; 3:7). Then, under Israel’s wicked rulers King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, Baal worship in the Northern Kingdom reached its apex. During those days, God sent Elijah to demonstrate God’s power over Baal (1 Kings 18:20-40).
Jeremiah’s words regarding gods that you have not known further stressed their lack of allegiance to the Lord. God had used the special word known to describe His relationship with His people (Amos 3:2). The people should have known only a personal relationship with the Lord, but they also went after other deities instead.
10 “‘Then do you come and stand before me in this house that bears my name and say, “We are rescued, so we can continue doing all these detestable acts”?’”
God expressed frustration with His people. They would stand before me in this house. They rightly were worshiping at the place He had chosen to place His name. Nevertheless, He knew the corruption that filled their hearts and how they lived away from the temple.
Translators differ on how to render the words we are rescued, so we can continue doing all these detestable acts. Some translations (like the CSB) suggest the entire statement belongs to the people, while others attribute only part of the sentence to them. The Hebrew original is ambiguous, but either rendering captures the same sense. The people thought coming to the temple was enough to guarantee God’s blessing, even if they lived wickedly the rest of the time. The word translated detestable acts describes all despicable actions related to this hypocrisy (Lev. 18:26,29,30).
11 “‘Has this house, which bears my name, become a den of robbers in your view? Yes, I too have seen it. This is the LORD’s declaration.’”
Has this house . . . become a den of robbers . . . ? highlights Judah’s spiritual failure. God had chosen to place His name on the temple so people could worship Him there. However, the people’s wickedness, even around the temple itself, had made it like a den of robbers. Centuries later, Jesus also accused religious leaders of turning God’s house into a den of robbers (Matt. 21:13). God’s words yes, I too have seen it emphasize God’s personal witness of Judah’s evil; He had seen it all! His declaration, which appears often in Jeremiah (1:8,15,19; 2:3,9,12), again emphasized that Jeremiah’s words came directly from God.
Believers must confront their sin instead of excusing it. The apostle Paul wrote that living under God’s grace does not mean we have license to live however we please (Rom. 6:1-2). Rather, grace frees us from slavery to sin so we can know the freedom of following His commands (Rom. 6:15-23).
(In PSG, p. 34)
12 “‘But return to my place that was at Shiloh, where I made my name dwell at first. See what I did to it because of the evil of my people Israel.’”
God provided the people a sobering object lesson by referring to Shiloh. An ancient worship center, Shiloh lay well north of Jerusalem in the territory of Ephraim. In Canaan, Israel set the tabernacle at Shiloh (Josh. 18:1). Later, the priest Eli and his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, brought shame to Shiloh (1 Sam. 2:12-36), though the prophet Samuel also served there.
Archaeological evidence suggests that after the Philistines defeated Israel and captured the ark of the covenant (1 Sam. 4:1-11), they destroyed Shiloh around 1050 BC. Jeremiah issued God’s challenge: See what I did to it. Shiloh had been Israel’s worship center, but God destroyed it because of His people’s evil ways. He would do the same to Jerusalem.
13 “‘Now, because you have done all these things—this is the LORD’s declaration—and because I have spoken to you time and time again but you wouldn’t listen, and I have called to you, but you wouldn’t answer,’”
God’s conclusion was coming, but the people were sure not to like it. The words because you have done all these things drove home the point that God indeed had witnessed all the evil Jeremiah had described. Further, God had repeatedly spoken, but the people wouldn’t listen and wouldn’t answer His call.
He had given His people the law and other Scripture. He had sent prophets (2 Kings 17:13-14). He had called to them over and over, but they had chosen to ignore Him and His messengers.
God continues to call people today. He calls us through the Scriptures, but He also speaks through faithful pastors and Bible study leaders. He also works through the counsel of Christian friends. God has given us every opportunity to follow Him. But He also has given us a choice.
14 “‘what I did to Shiloh I will do to the house that bears my name, the house in which you trust, the place that I gave you and your ancestors.’”
The Lord announced His sad conclusion: What He had done to Shiloh more than four centuries earlier, He would do to His house and to His people. God referred to the temple as the house in which you trust—a statement that highlighted the people’s problem. They trusted in a building made by their ancestors, not in the God who gave that building its meaning and purpose.
During Jeremiah’s day, the people embraced some dangerous lies to their own peril. They trusted in the temple and believed God would bless them regardless of how they lived. They trusted their priests to provide the right sacrifices, and in King David’s descendants sitting on their throne nearby. But God wanted more than lip service; He wanted their hearts and lives. True followers of God embrace His commands.
15 “‘I will banish you from my presence, just as I banished all of your brothers, all the descendants of Ephraim.’”
God further warned that He would banish the people from His presence. The word translated banish implies a forceful flinging. Elsewhere it describes a lion savagely throwing its victim to the ground (1 Kings 13:24-25). The comparison to Ephraim recalled the judgment of not only Shiloh, but also the entire Northern Kingdom, which was sometimes called Ephraim (Isa. 7:2; Hos. 11:3,8). Jerusalem stood in danger of experiencing the same judgment.
God’s Word makes it clear that we should gather regularly with other believers (Heb. 10:24-25), but He also wants us to worship Him with our lives the rest of the week. Paul challenged the Romans to offer their bodies as living sacrifices to God (Rom. 12:1). People who attend church but live their own way the rest of the week fall short of God’s righteous expectation. True worship is reflected in our commitment to godly living.
(In PSG, p. 35)
The Christian and Social Order
We should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the abused, the aged, the helpless, and the sick. (See Ex. 22:21-22; Jas. 1:27.)
Use a concordance and/or Bible dictionary to learn more about a feature of Israel’s religious life.
Use a concordance to find references to Shiloh in Scripture and read about it in a Bible dictionary. Note key people and events associated with the place. Note your findings about Shiloh’s role and importance in Israel’s history. How does what you learned help you better understand the severity of the warning in Jeremiah 7:12?