Jer7:1-11 Refuge of the Violent

# Refuge of the Violent
## Jeremiah 7:1-11

[Julian Böck](https://unsplash.com/photos/agS-BtrQZrs "caption")

>>>
+ theme: rebuilding the Lord's house
+ church more than **bldg**: 
  + **people**: families, indiv
+ in order to **rebuild**, must
  + know how it's **broken**

---

# What is the **illness** of the church?

>>>
+ preaching to **self**, too!
+ not only our church
+ Behold the Lamb

---

**Hear** the word of the Lord, 
all you men of Judah who 
enter these **gates** to **worship** the Lord.

[Jeremiah 7:2 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Old City of Jerusalem, Damascus Gate. Leila Maziz. © UNESCO, CC-BY-SA 3.0 IGO](http://whc.unesco.org/en/documents/108391 "caption")

>>>
+ audience
+ "my spouse / cousin / BIL 
  + needs to hear this"
+ don't **deflect**: this is for **us**
+ N. Isr. vs S. Jud.:

---

Have you seen what she did, 
that **faithless** one, Israel?

[Jeremiah 3:6 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Palm Springs, CA. Edwards Cisneros](https://unsplash.com/photos/jfU3_67YiwQ "caption")

>>>
+ **faithless**: astray for so long,
  + no longer cares to **know** God
+ don't **claim** to follow God

---

Yet for all this her **treacherous** sister Judah 
did not return to me with her **whole heart**, 
but in **pretense** ...

Faithless Israel has shown herself 
**more righteous** than treacherous Judah

[Jeremiah 3:10,11 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **unfaithful** / treach: 
  + **claims** to know, but in pretense
+ v12 **return**, faithless children, 
  + and be joined as one
+ cf Ez23 Oholah, Oholibah
+ Prev ch6:

---

For from the least to the greatest of them, 
everyone is **greedy** for unjust gain;

and from prophet to priest, 
everyone deals **falsely**.

[Jeremiah 6:13 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Ukraine. Paul Itkin](https://unsplash.com/photos/xCdFXXoZkJc "caption")

---

They have healed the **wound** 
of my people **lightly**, 
saying, ‘**Peace, peace**,’ when there is no peace.

[Jeremiah 6:14 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **easier** to preach comfort + peace
  + **selfishly**, more profitable to me
+ but **wound** deep in heart of church
  + to say it's fine is **disservice**

---

## Refuge of the Violent
1. Mantras [[v1-4]](# "ref")
1. Justice [[v5-7]](# "ref")
1. Safety [[v8-11]](# "ref")

>>>
+ mantra: repeated **phrase** to invoke
  + protect, blessing, comfort

---

**Amend** your **ways** and your **deeds**, 
and I will let you dwell in this place.

[Jeremiah 7:3 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Caleb George](https://unsplash.com/photos/URmkfvtK3Qw "caption")

>>>
+ amend: not **condemn**, destroy, 
  + not beyond hope
+ call to **action**: change, do better
+ ways: **road**, direction, end
+ deeds: **practice**, not just intent

---

Do not trust in these **deceptive** words:

‘This is the **temple** of the Lord, 
the temple of the Lord, 
the temple of the Lord.’

[Jeremiah 7:4 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ as though this **fact** in itself 
  + is sufficient to **justify** ourselves
  + **mantra** to shield from blame
+ but it's **decept**: will disappoint
+ **talisman**: cross necklace/tattoo
  + hold **Bible** for comfort
+ sinner's prayer, **baptised**, 
  + **volunteer** at church, offer
+ **call** self Chr, so
  + my **choices** are auto. right
+ "**lots** of Chr do this, must be ok"
+ community of **faith** => we trust e.o.
  + => heresy, **scams**, MLM
+ Jam2: "I believe in God"

---

You believe that **God is one**; you do well. 
Even the **demons** believe -- and shudder!

Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, 
that **faith** apart from **works** is useless?

[James 2:19-20 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Yes, salv. by **faith**, not earn works
  + But what **is** faith that saves?
+ Not just thinking, intellec. **assent**
  + but faith that moves to **action**
+ Jam e.g.: Abraham offering **Isaac**
  + **Rahab** sheltering spies

---

# Do I trust in any **talismans** or **mantras**?

>>>
+ **object**: bible, church bldg
+ **word** I repeat to garner favour w/God
+ "temple of Lord" -- "it's the church!"
  + run by church: hence must be ok
  + serving church: pleasing to God
+ how **do** I know if I'm pleasing God?

---

## Refuge of the Violent
1. Mantras [[v1-4]](# "ref")
1. **Justice** [[v5-7]](# "ref")
1. Safety [[v8-11]](# "ref")

>>>
+ **positive**: what **action** to take
+ “For if you truly **amend**
  + your ways and your deeds,

---

if you truly execute **justice** one with another,

if you do not **oppress** the sojourner, 
the fatherless, or the widow,

or shed **innocent blood** in this place,

and if you do not go after **other gods** 
to your own harm,

[Jeremiah 7:5-6 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Alex Jones](https://unsplash.com/photos/p0W9Q9gei4g "caption")

>>>
+ justice: btwn man + **nbr** / friend
  + seek equity among **peers**
+ oppression: abuse of **power** over vuln
  + sojour: **refugee**, new immig
  + fatherless: orphan, 
    + w/o healthy **father** fig
  + widow: **destitute**, dependent
+ bloodshed: harm those did **no wrong**
+ other **gods**: defying God by
  + following after other **idols**
+ Is58 **worship**: fasting, Sabbath
  + should consist of:

---

“Is not this the **fast** that I choose:

to loose the bonds of **wickedness**, 
to undo the straps of the **yoke**,

to let the **oppressed** go free, 
and to **break** every yoke?

[Isaiah 58:6 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ bring **freedom** + **rescue** to those
  + **oppressed** by injustice
+ **compassion** to the needy
  + **healing** to the hurting
+ what church should **look** like!
+ reflects our **rl** w/God 
  + later in same ch in Jer:

---

I did **not** speak to your fathers 
or command them 
concerning burnt **offerings** and sacrifices.

[Jeremiah 7:22 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Mika Matin. TN, US](https://unsplash.com/photos/MMylZHPsO2I "caption")

>>>
+ Being Chr does not consist in
  + attend **church**, volun., sing

---

But this command I gave them:

‘**Obey** my voice, and I will be your **God**, 
and you shall be my **people**.

And **walk** in all the way that I command you, 
that it may be **well** with you.’

[Jeremiah 7:23 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **Obey** God's commands
  + **rl** God -- people
  + **walk**: daily habits, decisions
+ not just **claiming** the promises
  + given to children of God
+ but **doing** the will of the Father
  + Jesus' **parable** in Mt 21:

---

What do you think? A man had **two sons**.

And he went to the first and said, 
‘Son, **go and work** in the vineyard today.’

And he answered, ‘**I will not**,’ but 
afterward he changed his mind and **went**.

[Matthew 21:28-29](# "ref")
[Seth Schwiet](https://unsplash.com/photos/qVb-K2mFtDU "caption")

>>>
+ in **word**: refused
+ in **deed**: obeyed

---

And he went to the other son and said the same. 
And he answered, ‘**I go**, sir,’ but did **not go**.

Which of the two did the **will** of his father?”

[Matthew 21:30-31](# "ref")

>>>
+ in **word**: agreed
  + in **deed**: disobeyed
+ talk is **cheap**:
  + not about our **promises** to God
+ but our **actions**
  + as we read earlier:

---

if you truly execute **justice** one with another,

if you do not **oppress** the sojourner, 
the fatherless, or the widow,

or shed **innocent blood** in this place,

and if you do not go after **other gods** 
to your own harm,

[Jeremiah 7:5-6 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ do not commit **injustice** against:
+ **nbr**, vuln, those who didn't wrong us
+ **God**: by put trust in anything else
+ Hope of **promise**: if we truly do so,

---

then I will let you **dwell** in this place, 
in the land that I gave of old 
to your fathers forever.

[Jeremiah 7:7 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ temple: **dwelling** of God
  + where we go to be **close** to Him
+ but God doesn't dwell in a **building**
  + rather, God estab **home** for us:
+ 2Sam7 **David** wants to build temple:

---

Go and tell my servant David, 
'Thus says the Lord: 
Would you build me a **house** to dwell in?' ...

[2 Samuel 7:5 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Dan Edwards](https://unsplash.com/photos/cgPxN5Y27pA "caption")

---

I took you from the **pasture**, 
from following the sheep ...

the Lord declares to you that 
the Lord will make you a **house**

[2 Samuel 7:8,11 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ not that God **needs** money / volun
  + or else he'll be **homeless**
+ Similarly in Ac17, Paul speaking to
  + non-Jews in Athens:

---

The God who made the **world** and everything 
in it, being Lord of **heaven and earth**, 
does not live in **temples** made by man ...

having determined allotted **periods** 
and the boundaries of their **dwelling** place, 
that they should **seek God**

[Acts 17:24,26 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Łukasz Łada](https://unsplash.com/photos/q7z-AUlHPaw "caption")

>>>
+ **We** need Him! 
  + set **times** + **places**
  + that we might **turn** to Him
+ **Raised** us from sin / death,
  + gave **right** to be **sons** / dau
+ after Christ the **firstborn**
  + and fulfillment of **prophecy**
+ God extends this promise of **home**
  + only if **amend** our ways + deeds:

---

# Have I wronged my **neighbour**, the **vulnerable**, the **innocent**, or **God**?

>>>
+ don't **deflect**, but examine self
+ not too late to **change**
+ promise of a lasting **home**

---

## Refuge of the Violent
1. Mantras [[v1-4]](# "ref")
1. Justice [[v5-7]](# "ref")
1. **Safety** [[v8-11]](# "ref")

>>>
+ house of God should be **refuge**
+ but not to continue to **sin**
+ house of **prayer** for all who
  + desire to **follow** Chr

---

“Behold, you trust in deceptive words 
to no avail.

Will you **steal**, **murder**, commit **adultery**, 
swear **falsely**, make offerings to **Baal**, and 
go after **other gods** that you have not known,

[Jeremiah 7:8-9 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Luis Quintero](https://unsplash.com/photos/ibWxfQOePt4 "caption")

>>>
+ 6 of 10 commandments
  + our actions **outside** church
+ "I'm not a **murderer**" --
  + but Sermon on Mount, Mt5:

---

But I say to you that everyone who is **angry** 
with his brother will be liable to **judgment** ...

Everyone who looks at a woman 
with **lustful intent** has already 
committed **adultery** with her in his heart

[Matthew 5:22,28 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ God **sees** the heart
+ if we think God **forgives** us so that
  + we can go back to **sin** again,
+ we are sorely **mistaken**!
______
+ Follow **behind** gods of other nations
  + "other nations have **their** gods"
  + "I want to **follow** those, too"
+ bring in whole **family**: v18 later

---

The **children** gather wood, 
the **fathers** kindle fire, 
and the **women** knead dough, 
to make cakes for the queen of heaven.

And they pour out drink offerings to other gods, 
to **provoke** me to anger

[Jeremiah 7:18 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Piha Beach, NZ. Tim Marshall](https://unsplash.com/photos/Wa-gS5R58gA "caption")

>>>
+ doesn't **harm** God, only **own** shame
+ emulate **world**
+ where to **turn** for salvation
  + when in **trouble**, frustr, stress?
+ trust in money, **smarts**, cxn/guanxi
  + **self-right**: pride in deeds
  + force / **coercion** / yelling
+ those become our **idols**
+ v9 list of inf: "(you plan) to steal.."

---

Will you **steal**, **murder**, commit **adultery**, 
swear **falsely**, make offerings to **Baal**, and 
go after **other gods** that you have not known,

[Jeremiah 7:8-9 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **murder** (hate)
+ **adultery** (lust in heart)
+ **lie** (assert auth don't have)
+ make **sacrifices** + **follow** after
  + the **idols** of the world
  + and cause **kids** to do same

---

and then come and **stand before me** 
in this house, which is called by **my name**,

and say, ‘We are **delivered**!’ -- 
only to go on doing all these **abominations**?

[Jeremiah 7:10 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ deliv: rescue, safe, **escape** punish
  + "Praise God, I **got away** with it!"
+ Skill of **false** apologies:
  + "sorry you **feel** hurt"
  + "sorry I got **caught**"
  + "sorry 3x -- **happy** now?"
+ **Min** I can do to avoid punishment
+ Don't forget **whose** house this is:

---

Has this house, which is called by **my name**, 
become a **den of robbers** in your eyes?

Behold, I myself have **seen** it, 
declares the Lord.

[Jeremiah 7:11 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Iswanto Arif](https://unsplash.com/photos/KXtMGheovdw "caption")

>>>
+ den: **cave**, hideout, refuge
  + robbers: **violent**, breakout
  + safe **haven** for the violent
+ "temple of Lord" 3x: "this is **church** 
  + **martial** breakdown never here
  + or rebellious children, or depr/MH
  + or addic to porn or prescrip drugs
  + or fin embezz, or child abuse
+ refuse to ack, **cover-up**,
  + "forgive + move on"
+ **eyes** / sight: we perceive incorr
  + fulfil **oblig** to God
  + despite **harm** we've caused
+ God sees **secret**, takes seriously:

---

When I spoke to you **persistently** 
you did not listen, 
and when I **called** you, you did not answer,

[Jeremiah 7:13 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Thailand.  Dominik QN](https://unsplash.com/photos/9gGQvhC4PEY "caption")

---

therefore I will do to the **house** that is 
called by my name, and in which you **trust**,

and to the place that I gave 
to you and to your fathers, as I did to **Shiloh**.

[Jeremiah 7:14 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ persist: **rise early** to speak / call
+ but if not responsive, **deflect**:
+ Shiloh, Jeru, -- and our **church**!
  + not just bldg, but **org**
+ But Jesus, **cleansing** temple, Is56:

---

“And the **foreigners** who **join** themselves 
to the Lord, to minister to him,

to **love** the name of the Lord, 
and to be his **servants**,

everyone who keeps the **Sabbath** 
and does not profane it, 
and holds fast my **covenant** —

[Isaiah 56:6 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Ben White](https://unsplash.com/photos/bEbqpPeHEM4 "caption")

---

these I will bring to my **holy mountain**, 
and make them joyful in my **house of prayer**;

for **my house** shall be called 
a house of prayer for **all peoples**.”

[Isaiah 56:7 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ all **nations**:
  + not just countries / ethn / lang
+ but **Gentiles** (vs Jew):
  + not **heard** Word of God
  + never **tried** to worship God before
+ but now wish to **follow** Him:
  + **join**, love, serve
  + cling to **covenant**
+ God Himself will estab **home**
  + a joyful house of **prayer**

---

# **Who** is our church **safe** for?

>>>
+ Where we seek grace + **protect** when
  + we steal, hate, lust, lie,
  + chase after idols of world?
+ thus **unsafe** for those we hurt?
+ or will it be safe + welcoming space
  + for those who want to follow Chr
  + from all walks of life?

---

>>>
+ reveal to us **labels** we trust in
 + membership, mantras, talismans
+ obey you, truly seek **justice** twrd
 + nbr, vuln, not wronged us
 + put **trust** in You alone
+ church be **unsafe** for us when we
 + return to You only in **pretense**
+ when **unrepent** from our
 + **violence** / coercion that harms
+ make it your house of **prayer**,
 + welc all who desire to **follow** You
___________________________________________