SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 7
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
But am I the one they are provoking? declares the LORD. Are they not rather harming themselves, to their own shame? [Jeremiah 7:19]
This chapter highlights WHY God is angry: they still think God loves and protects them because of their precious temple, but they follow the immoral and violent ways of idol worship – including child sacrifice!
Their behaviour is certainly provoking God, but more than that they are harming themselves.
This is what sinful behaviour does, it damages the person doing it.
We may think that our sinful choices are liberating or enjoyable, but they actually increase our bondage and our misery.
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!” Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. [Matthew 27:24-26]
When I think of what the Jews say here in this passage, and the subsequent history of the Jews, I wonder whether they may regret their words.
(Apparently Mel Gibson was accused of anti-semitism for including these words in his movie about Christ).
I do not think that God has been cruelly or maliciously treating the Jews through history because of their role in crucifying Christ.
But I do think that actions have consequences, and everyone who rejects God’s way (whether in the Law of OT Jews or in Jesus for us today) will experience all the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ of the way they do choose.
We are responsible for our choices, and if we choose to go against the grain of God’s will, we will get splinters.
Pilate could not so easily wash his hands of his guilt, just as the Jews in Jeremiah’s day could not wash their guilt away by trusting in the temple (deceptive words).
We also cannot wash our own hands of our guilt, we need to reach out to God.
Our response to God and Jesus will have consequences, in either direction.
If we reject Him, don’t think that we are just provoking or rejecting Him, we are actually provoking and rejecting ourselves.
God does not need to punish us; sin is its own punishment!
PRAYER:
Lord, when I think of the ways that I go against Your will, I can see how they are their own punishment. Help me to accept responsibility for my actions, and turn to You for hope and help.
We are to act justly, practice mercy and walk humbly before our God. Him and Him only we must serve . He is the I AM!
But somehow we have convinced ourselves that we are His special people and that God will forgive us because He selected us as His. However, we are not safe! It is what’s on the inside that counts and that comes to expression on the outside. Our knowing becomes our doing. And we can not run in and out of His shelter whenever we want relief from our sins. He will not stand for it!
Choices have consequences. Sin will find us out. We can not white wash them by running in and out of God’s presence. Religion of convenience. God desires our all in all. I need to follow my calling – serve Him wholeheartedly today and forever.
Whole-hearted thanksgiving to Thee I will bring
In praise of Thy marvelous deeds I will sing;
In Thee I will joy and exultingly cry,
Thy Name I will praise, O Jehovah, Most High.
Refrain
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice!
O come to Jehovah, declare ye His fame,
And give Him all honor, for just is His Na