Led Astray by Worthless and Wicked Ways – Rev Bruce’s Blog

Behold, you trust in deceptive words to no avail. – Jeremiah 7:8 (ESV)

Calling All Who Worship the Lord

Chapter 7 kicks off with Jeremiah being challenged by the word of the Lord to call out to “all you men of Judah who enter the gates of to worship the Lord” (v. 2, ESV). Why would such a challenge seem necessary at this point in the Book of Jeremiah? Idolatry has these people are twisted up in unforgiving knots of confusion. In fact, God points out that Judah and Jerusalem have gotten the false ideas and notions of faith and religion through rituals like burnt offerings and sacrifices (vv. 8-11, 16-17, 21-26)

God Gets No Love for His Offer of Unfailing Love

Imagine that someone who has been faithful to you time and time again, only to have you slip away with another lover. Picture the level of disgust that the person should have built up for your unfaithful response to their unfailing love. They offer you their entire heart and all of the love that they have to give to you no matter what. Yet, you continue to repeat the same pattern.

God repeatedly extends an offer to His people to dwell in peace with Him. His offer in verses 4-7 is believed to be of less value than the “deceptive words” that they trust in dearly. God also states that his persistent and repeated offers remain without any response (v. 13). In addition, God describes that wicked ways of the people and their failure to listen, answer or even accept His offer in verses 27- 29.

Repeatedly, God has shared His love with Israel and Judah by extending His offer of restoration to them. The practice of changing one’s ways and obeying God’s voice are keys to a responsive relationship with God (vv.21-23).

After such foul treatment, when do you expect God to pull away and just say He can’t do it anymore?

Tune in WEDNESDAY at 9 AM PST for Live @ Lunch Bible Study as we continue with Week 7