3rd Week of Lent : Thursday 16th March 2023

Jeremiah was a prophet called by God to bring God’s Word to a sinful Judah (the southern kingdom). He served faithfully as God’s prophet (c.627-586 B.C.) and reached out to Judah during the reign of the last five kings.

Today’s passage (Jer 7:23-28) speaks about God’s “orders,” which are to “listen to My voice” and to “follow right to the end the way that I mark out for you” (v 23). Did the people of Judah listen? In the passage, it is said of the people that they “did not listen … have not listened … will not listen” (vv 24, 26-28). Furthermore, they “did not pay attention … have not paid attention … refused to face Me … turned their backs on Me … will not take correction … followed the dictates of their own evil hearts, have grown stubborn … behaved worse than their ancestors” and were insincere (vv 24, 26-28).

Lent is a grace-filled time for us to look at our lives in the light of God’s tender and compassionate love. How are we like the people of Judah? Are we willing to follow God’s “orders” – to listen to God’s voice and to follow right to the end the way that God has marked out for us (v 23)? Is there some sense of unwillingness? What is its source?

What is the positive outcome of following God’s “orders”? God will be our God, we shall be God’s people, and we shall prosper (i.e. it may go well with us; v 23).

Lord, help us shake off all our sins and make ourselves a new heart and spirit (Ezekiel 18:31).