Jeremiah 7:21-28 - Homiletics

Declension.

Jeremiah endeavors to rouse a sense of guilt in his hearers by pointing to the sad downward course of their history when this is regarded in the light of Divine requirements and inducements to follow them.

I. THE DIVINE REQUIREMENTS . These were not for the offering of mere formal sacrifices, but for obedience to God in heart and conduct ( 1 Samuel 15:22 ). Men need to be repeatedly reminded of this fact, because there is a common tendency to separate religion from morality, to believe that God is pleased with the performance of Church services by those whose lives are spent in sin and selfishness, and that the devotions of the sanctuary atone for the wickedness of daily life. Jeremiah and the prophets generally teach

II. THE INDUCEMENTS TO FULFILL THESE REQUIREMENTS .

1. A clear statement of them. Jeremiah was not the first to reveal them. They were well known and easily understood.

2. Rewards promised for obedience. It would be "well with" the people if they walked in all the ways that God commanded them. Disobedience led to the Captivity. Obedience is the only condition on which we can enjoy liberty.

3. Repeated warnings . (Verse 25.) By all forms in which the Divine voice reaches us God is continually reminding us of his will and urging us to obedience.

III. THE CAUSES OF DECLENSION .

1. Inattention . "They hearkened not." People are too preoccupied by worldly concerns to give the requisite thought to higher interests.

2. Self-will . "They walked in the counsels and stubbornness of their evil heart." Men disobey through the conceit of superior knowledge and through the obstinacy of selfish aims.

IV. THE CHARACTER OF DECLENSION .

1. Departure from God . Israel turned "the back and not the face" to God. In disobeying the will of God we necessarily cease to walk with God, lose the light of his presence, become godless.

2. A constant deterioration of morals . The contemporaries of Jeremiah "did worse than their fathers." Progress is the natural order. But, left to itself, the leaven of wickedness will spread as surely as the seed of goodness would grow if that were allowed free development.

V. THE CONSEQUENCES OF DECLENSION .

1. Hardening against the reception of truth . (Verse 27.) The people have reduced themselves to such a condition that they cannot receive the prophet's message.

2. Inability to profit by correction . "This is a nation that … receiveth not correction" (verse 28).

3. Destruction of the value of religious services . The burnt offering should express the dedication of the worshipper. But as it does nothing of the kind, it is worthless, and may as well serve as flesh for a common meal (verse 21). Religion, which should be the inspiration of morality, is dead and powerless in the hands of people of corrupt lives. The noblest exercise of humanity is thus reduced to a nullity.