10.22.2015 Old Testament: Jer 7.16–19

To read the Bible in a year, read Jeremiah 7–8 on October 22, In the year of our Lord 2015

By Don Ruhl

What could possibly move the loving God of heaven to tell a prophet not to pray for God’s people? He said to Jeremiah the prophet,

“Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them, nor make intercession to Me; for I will not hear you. Do you not see what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? The children gather wood, the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead dough, to make cakes for the queen of heaven; and they pour out drink offerings to other gods, that they may provoke Me to anger. Do they provoke Me to anger?” says the Lord. “Do they not provoke themselves, to the shame of their own faces?” (Jeremiah 7.16–19). 

They did not want to hear what the Lord had to say, why should He listen to them? They did not want anything to do with the God of heaven, but they wanted the queen of heaven. Therefore, the God of Israel turned them over to what they desired.