Jeremiah 7:2
Stand in the gate of the LORD’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD. Stand in the gate of the LORD’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD.
God directed Jeremiah to take his stand in the gate at the entrance of the house of the Lord and to proclaim the Lord's word openly to all of Judah as they came in through those gates to worship. The proclamation was a public warning and appeal to hear the word of the Lord, to give heed to His message, and to amend and reform ways and doings by living rightly. Mere worship, bodily presence at the temple, and confidence in the temple and its services could not take the place of right conduct nor secure God's protection while wrongdoing continued and the principles and duties He had given were disregarded.
Right conduct required executing justice between one another, defending the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, refusing to shed innocent blood, and ceasing to follow other gods. On that condition of thorough amendment, God would permit them to continue dwelling in the land He had given to their fathers.
The same warning reaches those entrusted with responsibility in God's work and set in positions of trust when they forget God's principles and the simplicity of His work, fail to depend on His wisdom and power, and neglect faithfulness, self-denial, and self-sacrifice. Going after their own desires, plans, and wisdom in selfish, self-directed labor instead of God's way, they stand in need of repentance and confession. It is also a warning concerning religious leaders whose ministry perverts the truth and does not guide souls toward salvation, urging heed to God's cautions and thorough spiritual reform.