Wednesday 9th September
Read Jeremiah 7:12-15
“‘“Go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for my Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of my people Israel. 13 While you were doing all these things, declares the Lord, I spoke to you again and again, but you did not listen; I called you, but you did not answer. 14 Therefore, what I did to Shiloh I will now do to the house that bears my Name, the temple you trust in, the place I gave to you and your ancestors. 15 I will thrust you from my presence, just as I did all your fellow Israelites, the people of Ephraim.”” (NIVUK)
Their true faith is reflected in their constant cry, ‘‘This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!’” (v4). Jeremiah now brutally bursts that bubble by pointing back to a moment in history they may have conveniently forgotten. He asks them to go and visit Shiloh.
Shiloh would no longer be a tourist destination. It was a ruin. The tabernacle was first placed there, housing the ark of the covenant and signalling God’s presence. It was the centre of Israelite worship during the time of the judges. However the people were just as fickle and godless then. The people suffered from the same delusion they are afflicted with now. They believed God was obligated to protect places and objects dear to Him. They confronted the Philistines with the ark believing it would ensure victory (cf 1 Samuel 4-6) and were sorely found out. Shiloh, the ark, even the line of priests responsible were all taken and destroyed. Shiloh is the perfect witness to the foolishness of their thinking. God called them again and again, but they did not answer (v13).
“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:19-20) (NIVUK)
