“TRUST AND OBEY; FOR THERE’S NO OTHER WAY”

 

In Jeremiah 7 we find God instructing the prophet Jeremiah to proclaim a message to Judah. BACKGROUND: The kingdom of Judah consisted of the two tribes, Judah and Benjamin, which remained loyal to the rule of David, Solomon, and Rehoboam.  Following the division of the twelve tribes into two kingdoms, Israel, the northern kingdom followed Jeroboam and was taken into captivity by Assyria for punishment of their disobedience. Judah, the southern kingdom remained for some 120 years longer, before being punished for the same reasons, and with the same fate, at the hands of Babylonia.

The similarities among these two physical nations of God’s people, which resulted in their punishment, also exist among God’s people today. The Lord’s apostles warned Christians against practicing idolatry, self-righteousness, stubbornness, and hypocrisy. Nevertheless, these sins were committed. They are natural fruits, of what Jeremiah called “lying words” (cf. chapter 7:8). Lying words were just that: lies. The lies failed to warn and condemn the sinful living of God’s people. This was seen from what Jeremiah said to another prophet, Hananiah, in chapter 28:15: “Jehovah hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.” Several others were guilty of “lying words”:

PASHHUR – “…all that dwell in thy house shall go into captivity; and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and there shalt thou be buried, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied falsely.” – 20:6

SHEMAIAH – “…prophesied…and I sent him not, and he hath caused you to trust in a lie...” – 29:31

PROPHETS – “...Thy prophets have seen for thee false and foolish visions; and they have not uncovered thine iniquity…but have seen for thee false oracles...” – Lamentations 2:14

As a result, the people assembled regularly to offer sacrifices to God while doing the same to other gods. This, of course, revealed their hypocrisy. God’s message through Jeremiah was to condemn this, calling upon the people to repent and serve God alone. 

Ezekiel had a similar message. “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own heart, Hear ye the word of Jehovah: Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing.” (Ezekiel 13:2-3). “Because with lies ye have grieved the heart of the righteous…and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, and be saved alive…” (Ezekiel 13:22). “And her prophets…divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, when Jehovah hath not spoken..” (Ezekiel 22:28).

HOW did they "trust" in lying words (Jeremiah 7:8)? It was not through faith alone, or by a prayer, for we are told how they trusted from Jeremiah 7:9-10. God revealed the specifics of their hypocrisy when He said: "Will you steal, murder, and commit adultery and swear falsely, and offer sacrifices to Baal and walk after other gods that you have not known, then come and stand before Me in this house, which is called by My name, and say, ‘We are delivered!’—that you may do all these abominations?"

Then in verse 13, God stated, "And now, because ye have done all these 'WORKS'...". This word refers to their disobedience. Other words found in various translations are: evil things, sinning, wicked things, and sins. As there can be works that classify as disobedience (cf. Ephesians 5:11), there can be works that classify as obedience (cf. John 6:29; James 2:21-24). Trust is done through belief and acting in accordance with your belief. If your belief is in lying words, your obedience to lies will be disobedience to God. If your belief is in the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11), your obedience will be rewarded.

Jeremiah was told: "Therefore, PRAY NOT thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me; for I will not hear thee." (Jeremiah 7:16).

False teaching is characterized by one dominant aspect. It downplays commands and obedience. Jesus died for "the world (John 3:16), yet is the author of salvation TO THOSE THAT OBEY (Hebrews 5:9). You obey Jesus by obeying His commands (2 John 1:9-11). Conversely, truth will stress both God’s commands and man’s obedience. This is what separates truth from error. Trust and obey are the principles upon which salvation has always been purposed. We see this from another prophet, Isaiah.

THE CONDITIONS: Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds; cease to do evil...

THEN: Learn to do good; seek justice; correct oppression...

IF YOU ARE WILLING AND OBEDIENT...though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow... (Isaiah 1:16-19).

Read the entire chapter of Jeremiah 7 to see the similarities between Jeremiah's day and our day. Truly, there is nothing new under the sun.