THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 7-8
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Among the ruins of ancient Ephesus, Turkey, are these larger than usual stone ossuaries, which were used to house people’s skeletal remains. “Bones” are mentioned five times in the first verse of Jeremiah 8.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Jeremiah 7:23
But this is what I commanded them, saying, “Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.”
Jeremiah 7 begins what is known as the “Temple Sermon.” God’s instructions to Jeremiah were that he was to stand at the gate of the Temple and deliver this message as the throngs of people were entering for worship. The people of Judah were still very religious outwardly, but Jeremiah’s message was that they were hypocritical. Several times Jeremiah made the point that “They did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward” (7:24). They practiced what is called “syncretism,” the amalgamation of what otherwise would be two or more distinct religions. In their case, it was an attempt to worship the God of Israel and also the god Molech. Some of them, including King Jehoiakim, who turned away from the reforms of his father, Josiah, had reverted to the practices of his grandfather, Mannaseh (2 Kings 21:3-6).
Chapter 8 predicts the coming judgment as a result of their syncretism. Their bones will bleach in the sun. There’s an old hymn which captures the essence of faithfulness to the One and only true God: “Trust and Obey!” Here’s a musical rendition of this foundational truth! (click here).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God of Israel, through Your Son and my Saviour, I pray for the grace of obedience to You, and to the worship of You and You alone! The Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed in Jeremiah’s day, rebuilt by Ezra and Herod, and then destroyed again. Your temple in this age is my body, and may I keep my body pure and in good shape for You, Lord, and may You alone live in my innermost thoughts, attitudes, intentions and actions. Amen!!! (1 Corinthians 6:12-20).
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
My experiences with people practicing syncretism are many. The most common being church Sunday morning and then a variety of practices common to eastern religions during the week. The most dramatic example happened in the summer of 1976. I was in Winnipeg staying in the home of the pro football player Larry Kerychuk when the phone rang. The local Roman Catholic priest was looking for a Holy Spirit-filled minister to accompany him on an exorcism. I agreed, but conditional on the content of the priest’s testimony of his personal journey with Christ. I heard a miraculous story of the power of the Holy Spirit transforming his life. We showed up at a home of recent immigrants from Brazil, where manifestations were reported (we didn’t see any) of objects moving around the rooms mysteriously without human help. We discovered that back in Brazil the husband and father had been in the practice of attending Mass Sunday mornings and voodoo ceremonies Sunday evenings. We discerned that these spirits were not filling the house but the man. He wanted to be free of these, and we took authority in Jesus’ Name, cast out these evil spirits, and he was set free. The whole family received Jesus by faith as Saviour and Lord! The last report is that never again did this occult manifestation occur.
Yours for bringing men, women, boys and girls into genuine experiences in a saving relationship with Jesus!
David
P.S. If you want a blow-by-blow account of the various destructions of Jerusalem, I recommend a book I’m currently reading by Desmond Seward called, “Jerusalem’s Traitor: Josephus, Masada, and the Fall of Judea” (here is a listing for it on Amazon.com).
Thanks again, dear Lord God, for Your Word and Your faithful servants. Help all Your children to be faithful to You and to the specific work You have for each one. In Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen
The end of chapter eight seems so sad to me, the Lord is suffering because of the sin of His people.
Sometimes I wonder have we human beings learned anything…. but then I remember the cross on which Jesus hung for sinners like me and I feel renewed encouragement and determination to cling to Jesus, and to pray for our hurting and broken world.
Thank you to everyone who posts, you don’t know how uplifting that is….I pray Rob’s prayers along with you all, and am so encouraged when I read and pray Beverlee’s prayers and comments, and listen to the music she posts…..and so many more of you that do as well…. God Bless you all today!
Amen
Thank you!
And Amen.
Ditto for your second paragraph Anne. I couldn’t have said it better. I dont always respond to comments but I sure do read them. What an encouragement you all are.
Amen to your prayer Rob.
May Father God bless you all today and everyday.
Amen
The days with Bob McDougall where great days. When I visited the broadcast, he led the prayer time after & ministered to people. My cousin was visiting me when I turned 100 Huntley Street on. She was amazed and asked me “what kind of church is that?” I was able to explain it to her. She was really impressed. Praying for God to draw multitudes of people to Himself, in Jesus Name. Amen.
I so enjoy your amazing history with Crossroads and your Christian experiences. Thank you.
Praise the Lord for He is good. The first verse (part of) that lodged in my heart as a new believer was …”be ye thankful”. (Colossians 3:15). Thank you Rob for the prayers that you post. Thank you all for the kind words and suggestions yesterday, I am so uplifted. May each of you feel Gods blessing today.
Amen
Thank you all for your comments, I prayed David’s prayer and sang along with that beautiful rendition of Trust and Obey., it is one of my favourites. So simple and yet so powerful.
Such a blessing to have this opportunity each day to read God’s Word. Thank you Maine’s family for continuing to post it. David’s words are still with although he is in Heaven.
God bless and protect each one today in Jesus name. Amen. Eleanor M.
Amen
Praying for you and your husband’s health and well- being.
Also, Nan- prayers for your health and safety in Florida.
My16 days of Isolation ( and 9 other family members) is over and gradually feeling much better!
Thank you Laur. There a few in our park that has a three day virus, my husband included. He is feeling much better now, but sinuses are full. Starting to let loose today. I’m taking an elderberry gummie. Supposed to help with colds, flu and immune system. We are on our second day of rain. But not at the moment. Everyone is staying indoors.
Thank you all who read this and say a little prayer for our well being. It’s so good to turn on iPad and be able to join in our blog.
Thank you, God, you are great.