Obedience

O. T. #1742  "Obedience"
July 27, 2020
Jeremiah 7-Part 2
But this thing commanded I them saying, Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be My people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. (verse 23)

LET IT GLOW

Aren't we as parents happiest when our children obey us out of a loving heart instead of fearing the consequences? God is the same way.

What was God requiring of Judah and His people in verse 23?

• Obey His voice, then He would be their God and they would be His people.
• Do everything God says and all will be well with them.

The word obey in the Hebrew language, means hear intelligently; give ear; proclaim; tell; report; regard)

Obedience was what God wanted from His children. It was an internal obedience from the heart.

Joshua told his people  to meditate on the law, speak about it, and observe it all, for then they would be prosperous and have good success. (Joshua 1:8)

Samuel told his people, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. (1 Sam. 15:22-23)

Jesus said, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Matthew 9:13)

So, the question is, Are we doing obeying what God tells us, and are we doing what God says in His Word?

Later in this book, the LORD says, Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:12-13)


LET IT GROW

Did the people of Judah have the right priorities? After all, they were making sacrifices and burnt offerings unto the God. However, they were empty ritualism in contrast with the obedience God demands. their offerings had lost the sacred significance they were intended to have. Jeremiah told the people they might as eat their burnt offerings. (It was due to their offerings also being made to the Queen of heaven, fertility goddess, Ashtoreth, who was worshiped in Assyria and Babylon. It involved sexual immorality.)

It isn't the sacrifices God wants; He desires our obedience and promises that He will be our God and we will be His people. (Life Application Study Bible)

When our heart is right with God, then it is because we love Him that we give sacrifices and offerings unto Him. Then He will accept them. It takes the right intent.

Is there something you have yet done that God has told you to do?
Are our offerings given out of ritual or a loving heart?

LET IT GO

Jesus is waiting.
God so loved the world.