Jeremiah 7

“Amend your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place” (v3). Through Jeremiah, God told the Israelites that they could only stay in their land if they changed their ways. “If you do not oppress the sojourner, the fatherless, or the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place …then I will let you dwell in this place” (v7). Without the willingness to change their behavior, their sacrifices and worship were pointless (v22-23). Not even the beautiful sacred Temple could save them (v4).

“Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people” (v23). More than outward worship, God desires us to obey Him from the heart.