The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
The word coming to Jeremiah from the Lord opens a message he was to proclaim at the gate of the Lord's house to the worshipers of Judah entering there. It was a warning not to trust in the temple and other outward religious advantages as a protection while life departed from God's ways. No outward privilege could take the place of purity of character and obedience. What was required was to amend conduct, to practice justice, and to cease oppression and idolatry.
The same word rebukes unfaithfulness in men placed in important positions of trust whose ministry and influence are not faithful or saving. They had forgotten the simplicity of the work, ignored the principles God had laid down, failed to maintain self-denial and self-sacrifice, and indulged selfishness. With heart and soul they did not rely upon divine wisdom and power, but walked after the imagination of their own hearts and followed their own judgment and ideas instead. It calls for heed to divine cautions and warnings and for change where human judgment has displaced them. The humbling of the heart before God in repentance and confession is required, with still greater changes, lest those often reproved who still choose to work in their own way come under further judgment.
The word coming to Jeremiah from the Lord opens a message he was to proclaim at the gate of the Lord's house to the worshipers of Judah entering there. It was a warning not to trust in the temple and other outward religious advantages as a protection while life departed from God's ways. No outward privilege could take the place of purity of character and obedience. What was required was to amend conduct, to practice justice, and to cease oppression and idolatry.
The same word rebukes unfaithfulness in men placed in important positions of trust whose ministry and influence are not faithful or saving. They had forgotten the simplicity of the work, ignored the principles God had laid down, failed to maintain self-denial and self-sacrifice, and indulged selfishness. With heart and soul they did not rely upon divine wisdom and power, but walked after the imagination of their own hearts and followed their own judgment and ideas instead. It calls for heed to divine cautions and warnings and for change where human judgment has displaced them. The humbling of the heart before God in repentance and confession is required, with still greater changes, lest those often reproved who still choose to work in their own way come under further judgment.