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Become accountable in worship The prophet, Jeremiah, ministered to the southern kingdom - the kingdom of Judah - for the last 40 years of its existence. His faithfulness in delivering the divine message did not bring him popularity in that nation. He suffered many things - physically and emotionally - as he carried out his divine assignment. Yet, he was faithful. He wrote that "The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, 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." Jeremiah 7:1,2. Thus, this particular message was directed to the "worshippers," who considered themselves to be faithful is carrying out the Old Testament law. The divine perspective of their worship was not measured by any human standard, but against the purpose and intent of the law. The call was stated in a direct way - "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place." Jeremiah 7:3. Many prophecies had warned these people of their removal from the promised land, if they continued to reject the call to repentance - change of heart and mind. The words that the people wanted to hear were messages of comfort and complacency. The prophet warned, "Trust ye not in lying words, saying, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, are these." Jeremiah 7:4. Their chanting of magical phrases did not transform rebellion into obedience. The conditions for their remaining in this place were specific. Jeremiah 7:5- 7. The prophet minced no words, as he delivered the divine message. "Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit." Jeremiah 7:8. He presented some questions that needed to be addressed. "Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not: and come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, we are delivered to do all these abominations." Jeremiah 7:8,9. This place of worship - the meeting between God and those whom he had chosen - had become little more than a place of gathering. The worshippers seemed to have little or no regard for the one whom they should be worshipping. "Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes?" Jeremiah 7:11a. How might this question be answered in our day? Have we forgotten the purpose of gathering in our places of worship? Have we reduced these sacred places to centers of social congregating, in order to discuss the latest current events, and to promote some kind of social agenda? It is important to remember that our purpose is not hidden from the heavenly father - the creator of the universe. "Behold, even I have seen it, saith the Lord." Jeremiah 7:11b. One of the lessons that we learn from history is that "we do not learn lessons from history." Jeremiah turned the thoughts of the people to the history of worship in the land of Canaan. Shiloh was the place of worship during the time of the judges. "But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel." Jeremiah 7:12. The prophet maintained that this place of worship was destroyed because of the wickedness of the chosen nation. 1 Samuel 4:1-22. The underlying thought is that the same fate awaited the rebellious people to whom this faithful prophet ministered. He made this declaration in a direct way. "And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the Lord, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not; therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh." Jeremiah 7:13,14. These people seemed to think that there was something magic about the building that is called the temple. The materials were seen as sacred, with no concern for the worship of God, who had accepted the structure as a place which represented his name, as character, authority, majesty, and might. When we read of the building of this temple, it is evident that common materials were used, and they only became sacred when the presence of God was made manifest at the time of the dedication. 1 Kings 8:62-66. It is important - even in our day - that we do not forget the purpose of our meeting to worship. Yes, we are to recognize the sacredness of the meeting places. Yet, we are not to revere the place with no regard for the one who is to be worshipped. The northern kingdom - the kingdom of Israel - is represented by the tribe of Ephraim. By the time of the ministry of Jeremiah, these rebellious people had been carried into captivity, as the result of their national sin. The warning was given to the southern kingdom by Jeremiah. "And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of Ephraim." Jeremiah 7:15. The words of the prophet were not accepted by the kings that heard this message. We read of one of the last of the kings of this southern kingdom - "Jehoikim was 20 and five years old when he began to reign...and he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done." 2 Kings 23:36,37. This man had an 11 year reign. But, finally, all was lost to the Babylonians - in spite of warnings. 2 Kings 25:4-7.
It is important for all people to remember that we are accountable to God. Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Timothy 5:21. Have you accepted the divine plan of salvation?
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