Jeremiah 7:1-15

Jeremiah 7:1-15

[1] The word  that came to Jeremiah  from the LORD,  saying,  [2] Stand  in the gate  of the LORD'S  house,  and proclaim  there this word,  and say,  Hear  the word  of the LORD,  all ye of Judah,  that enter in  at these gates  to worship  the LORD.  [3] Thus saith  the LORD  of hosts,  the God  of Israel,  Amend  your ways  and your doings,  and I will cause you to dwell  in this place.  [4] Trust  ye not in lying  words,  saying,  The temple  of the LORD,  The temple  of the LORD,  The temple  of the LORD,  are these. [5] For if ye throughly  your ways  and your doings;  if ye throughly  judgment  between a man  and his neighbour;  [6] If ye oppress  not the stranger,  the fatherless,  and the widow,  and shed  not innocent  blood  in this place,  after  other  gods  to your hurt:  [7] Then will I cause you to dwell  in this place,  in the land  that I gave  to your fathers,  for  ever  [8] Behold, ye trust  in lying  words,  that cannot profit.  [9] Will ye steal,  murder,  and commit adultery,  and swear  falsely,  and burn incense  unto Baal,  and walk  after  other  gods  whom ye know  [10] And come  and stand  before  me in this house,  which is called  by my name,  and say,  We are delivered  to do  all these abominations?  [11] Is this house,  which is called  by my name,  become a den  of robbers  in your eyes?  Behold, even I have seen  it, saith  [12] ye now unto my place  which was in Shiloh,  where I set  my name  at the first,  and see  what I did  to it for  the wickedness  of my people  Israel.  [13] And now, because ye have done  all these works,  saith  the LORD,  and I spake  unto you, rising up early  and speaking,  but ye heard  not; and I called  you, but ye answered  [14] Therefore will I do  unto this house,  which is called  by my name,  wherein ye trust,  and unto the place  which I gave  to you and to your fathers,  as I have done  to Shiloh.  [15] And I will cast you out  of my sight,  as I have cast out  all your brethren,  even the whole seed  of Ephraim. 

What does Jeremiah 7:1-15 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

This message demonstrates a structure that is quite typical of many others in the Book of Jeremiah (cf. Jeremiah 11:1-17; Jeremiah 17:19-27; Jeremiah 34:8-22). First there is an explanation of Yahweh"s will (word, law; Jeremiah 7:1-7), then a description of Israel"s departure from it ( Jeremiah 7:8-12), and then an announcement of divine judgment ( Jeremiah 7:13-15). A similar message, or the same message in abbreviated form, appears later in the book ( Jeremiah 26:1-6). [1]