The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1935-10-17
Lesson for October 20
THE MESSAGE OF JEREMIAH

LESSON TEXT-Jeremiah 7:1-26.
GOLDEN TEXT-Obey my voice, and
1 will be your God, and We shall be
my people. jeremiah 1928.
PRIMARY TOPIC-What jeremiah
Said.
JUNIOR ToP1c-Jeremiah's Stirring
Message.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR
TOPIC-Doing What God Commands.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT
ToPIC-The Will of God for Our Times.
The prophet stood in the gate of
the temple in order that the multi
tudes might hear him. The occasion
was the coming together of the people
from all over the country to attend
feast. From this place Of prominence
Jeremiah called the people to obedi-
ence.
|. What God Requires wv. ID.
1. Amend your ways ". 81. This
means that their course of living
should be reformed by exchanging bad
deeds for good ones On the basis Of
this change God would permit them to
remain In their city and country. Fail
ure to comply with this demand would
eventuate in their expulsion.
2 Personal experience ". A.. The
people regarded the temple as charm
against evil, Irrespective Of the con-
dition Of their hearts. without heart
experience, the most sacred Institution
and ordinances are valueless. Trust
ing in religious forms while lacking a
vital experience is the height of folly.
3. Social justice ". 81. The proof
of their having reformed was the exc
cution Of justice between man and his
neighbor. The evidence of ones be-
ing in touch with God is his fair deal
ing with his fellow men.
4. Not to Cypress the helpless ".
g.. The stranger would likely be ig-
norant of the laws Of the land. The
widows and orphans would usually be
imposed upon. Protection and defense
of the weak is sure sign of goodness.
5. Not walk after other gods ". g..
The worship of idols and conformity
70 heather customs go hand in hand.
True morality is determined by the
individuals attitude toward God.
II. Some Solemn Warnings wv. S-15).
l. The teachings of false prophets
(vv SID. These false prophets
taught the people that attention to
ceremony and observance Of religious
form exempted them from strict at
tention to morals. Those who needed
the words of the lying prophets did not
hesitate to steal. murder, commit adul-
terry, swear falsely. and practice idol
airy. They would even come into the
Lords house and claim freedom to
practice such denominations. The sa
cred temple itself. filed with such wor-
shippers, would be den Of robbers.
2. BY the destruction Of Shiloh wv.
1910. God caused his tabernacle to
be set up in Shiloh, but in ELS time
he gave it into the hands of the Philis
tines because of the dolatry of the
people Cps. rs COY. The prophet
declared that God would do even so
with the temple, the city and the whole
country. This he had already done
with Israel and the northern kingdom
III. The Hopeless Condition Of the
People wv. 1920.
Their propensity to do evil was so
strong that all efforts at reclamation
were futile.
l. Pray not for them w. 16). There
is such a thing as SHINING unto death,
in which case prayer Is useless ". 16;
CT. John $40.
2. Entire families devoted their en-
ergies to that which provoked Gods
anger wv. 17-19). This was done by
young and old, men and women. They
did 1t with the definite purpose to pro-
woke Gods anger. The prophet as
sured them that the outcome Of such
conduct would be their utter confusion.
~. Judgment Sure to Fall ". 20).
Because the people poured out their
offerings to idols. the furious anger
and wrath of God would be poured out
upon men, beasts, trees and the fruit
of the ground. How this has been full
filled the history of the Jews makes
clear.
v. Obedience to God Better than
Sacrifice wv. 21-26).
The prophet appealed to history to
show that God requires heart service
rather than the observance Of relig-
ious forms. Blessings came to Israel
through obedience, while cursings fol-
lowed disobedience On condition of
obedience to his requirements God
promised to own them as his people
and to bless them.