Jeremiah 7:1-20 (Evening Prayer)

If we allow this passage to speak plainly, as it has been for so for many Jews and Christians through the centuries, it is a most unusual message indeed. It flies in the face of all the latest church growth theories.

Here Jeremiah was told to stand at the temple's gate and start preaching (Jer 7:2). Imagine being greeted by a preaching preacher rather than a smiling usher. We are more accustomed to being given time to get adjusted, sing some songs, sit down and then, the preacher takes the pulpit.

The message is confusing as well. "Do not trust in these deceptive words: ‘This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord,” the prophet is told to proclaim. Every church I have been has signs, roadways, many welcoming ushers to assure visitors that “this is the church of the Lord.” Here Jeremiah was almost told to say, “Wrong place. Wrong place. Don’t come in!"

The message is demanding as well. Sort out your life before you come in. Don’t come hoping that by being in God’s House, your unreformed life can be excused. Worship is no replacement for obedience.

The people came to the right place and used the right words. But their lives were not right (Jer 7:9).