The first half of Jeremiah 7 is all about cleaning up their act. In fact those are the very words God uses: “clean up your act – the way you live – the things you do”. This is a pretty direct command God gives, but the reason is more important – catch what God says here: “so I can make my home with you in this place”. Did you get that? God cannot dwell among evil or sin. He cannot live where life is being lived in a way inconsistent with His requirements. So what were the issues? The list here is pretty long……
- Lies
- Robbery
- Murder
- Sex with neighborhood wives
- Worship local gods
- Buy every novel religious commodity
- Exploit street people and orphans and widows
- Take advantage of innocent people
- Mistreat neighbors
- Use the temple as a front for other gods
This list is really long and shows the level that the people had fallen in their walk with God. Obedience had left the area. They were focused totally on self, did what they wanted, and ignored God completely. Jeremiah tells them this: “Take a trip down to the place that was once in Shiloh, where I met my people in the early days. Take a look at those ruins, what I did to it because of the evil ways of my people Israel”. God cares how we live. God notices when we sin. God will respond if we do not get it cleaned up.
Is it time for some spring cleaning in your life? Are there areas you have hidden away in a closet or dark corner that nobody else sees that certainly God does. Pornography? An illicit relationship? Mistreating people? Another god? We need to look carefully at how we are living and what needs to be cleaned up. God is not going to turn and look the other way. He can’t. Don’t be part of the ruins. Take action now to make it right.