Sunday 30th August
Read Jeremiah 5:26-31
“‘Among my people are the wicked
who lie in wait like men who snare birds
and like those who set traps to catch people.
27 Like cages full of birds,
their houses are full of deceit;
they have become rich and powerful
28 and have grown fat and sleek.
Their evil deeds have no limit;
they do not seek justice.
They do not promote the case of the fatherless;
they do not defend the just cause of the poor.
29 Should I not punish them for this?’
declares the Lord.
‘Should I not avenge myself
on such a nation as this?
30 ‘A horrible and shocking thing
has happened in the land:
31 the prophets prophesy lies,
the priests rule by their own authority,
and my people love it this way.
But what will you do in the end?” (NIVUK)
The full extent of sin is described. Fraud, deception, greed and corruption. Worse, being subject to these sins, there is no response from the people. Their hearts are completely dead in sin. Their false faith is revealed most in their lack of compassion for the poor and the orphaned. These are God’s people?
“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:26-27) (NIVUK)
