What Jeremiah has to say about obedience

Happy Friday!

Today, we’re concluding our October series by looking at a major prophet from the Old Testament, Jeremiah.

In Jeremiah 7:21-26, we see God again, but here, He is speaking to Jeremiah, instructing him on what to say to the Israelites, who, as we continue to see, have rebelled against God: 

“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. For when I brought your forefathers out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, but I gave them this command: Obey me and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you. But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward. From the time your forefathers left Egypt until now, day after day, again and again, I sent you my servants and the prophets. But they did not listen to me or pay attention. They were stiff-necked and did more evil than their forefathers.”

God uses strong language here and yet, even though He knew the people would reject Him and turn away from Him, He still sends Jeremiah because our God is consistent in His faithfulness. We clearly see our answer again—God desires obedience over sacrifice or religious rituals. With obedience, God promises to be our God and we, His people.  

What about the passage in Jeremiah stood out to you? Have you enjoyed the series on obedience versus sacrifice? I hope so. Thanks for being here, and thanks for your encouragement and support.