Friday 11th September
Read Jeremiah 7:21-26
“‘“This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: go ahead, add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices and eat the meat yourselves! 22 For when I brought your ancestors out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, 23 but I gave them this command: obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you. 24 But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backwards and not forwards. 25 From the time your ancestors left Egypt until now, day after day, again and again I sent you my servants the prophets. 26 But they did not listen to me or pay attention. They were stiff-necked and did more evil than their ancestors.”” (NIVUK)
Some maintain that Jeremiah is opposed to the sacrificial system. The repeated refrains that God will pay no attention to them echo through his sermons. These lines are particularly shocking (v21). The burnt offering was the most important offering, to be eaten by the priests. They are held in such disdain by God that He invites them to simply throw them on a barbie and enjoy themselves – they are so focussed on themselves they may as well eat the lot!
Jeremiah is not opposed to the sacrificial system at all. He is opposed to its use as a cover for continued sin. He reminds them that when they were called out of Egypt, the first thing they were presented with at Sinai was the ten words they were to obey. He declared His commitment to them and called them to obedience – and only then gave them the sacrificial system to maintain that relationship. However, the people have reversed the order. They offer sacrifices in place of an obedient relationship.
Obedience remains at the heart of the Christian faith also. “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” (1 John 2:3-6) (NIVUK)
Stubborn and stiff-necked, or pliant and obedient? Holiness and truth demands obedience.
