Sunday 13th September
Read Jeremiah 7:30-8:3
““The people of Judah have done evil in my eyes, declares the Lord. They have set up their detestable idols in the house that bears my Name and have defiled it. 31 They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to burn their sons and daughters in the fire – something I did not command, nor did it enter my mind. 32 So beware, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when people will no longer call it Topheth or the Valley of Ben Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter, for they will bury the dead in Topheth until there is no more room. 33 Then the carcasses of this people will become food for the birds and the wild animals, and there will be no one to frighten them away. 34 I will bring an end to the sounds of joy and gladness and to the voices of bride and bridegroom in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem, for the land will become desolate.
8 ‘“At that time, declares the Lord, the bones of the kings and officials of Judah, the bones of the priests and prophets, and the bones of the people of Jerusalem will be removed from their graves. 2 They will be exposed to the sun and the moon and all the stars of the heavens, which they have loved and served and which they have followed and consulted and worshipped. They will not be gathered up or buried, but will be like dung lying on the ground. 3 Wherever I banish them, all the survivors of this evil nation will prefer death to life, declares the Lord Almighty.”” (NIVUK)
A graceless, horrifying passage. The kind of passage sensitive souls would excise from their bibles. For this is nothing less than a picture of hell on earth. Justice placed up in bright neon lights warning people that the way they are walking ends in death. A death that is joyless (v34), sacrilegious (v33) and humbling (8v1).
It is also immensely just. For they will be treated just as they have treated others. The place where they sacrifice their own children (v31) will be the place where their bones are left to rot (v32). Their love of the heavenly deities (v30) will be requited as they rot in full view of the heavens (8v2). Their love of death will consume even the living (8v3).
It is a warning that Jesus repeated often. Sin never remains hidden in the alcoves and the consequences are always dire.
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32 ‘Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:28-33) (NIVUK)
