Message Notes

YAG 11th RETREAT
Session #4
Friday, 28 May 2010
Theme: “CALL TO ME”

A. HARD WORD FROM THE LORD

Stand in the gate of the LORD’S house, and there proclaim this word…

Jeremiah 7:2

1. Audience

a) Judah
b) Worshippers            Jeremiah 7:2

2. Addressing Vital Issues

a) Amendment of lifestyle            Jeremiah 7:3, 5-6
b) False trust in the Temple            Jeremiah 7:4, 8
c) False worship            Jeremiah 7:9-11

i) Mistaken sense of worship            Jeremiah 7:2
ii) Focus on temple            Jeremiah 7:4, 8
iii) Focus on offerings/sacrifices            Jeremiah 7:21-22

d) Idolatrous worship of the people (contemporaneous)

i) Worship of the “queen of heaven”            Jeremiah 7:18
ii) Other gods            Jeremiah 8:18

e) Warning of destruction of the temple            Jeremiah 7:14-15
f) Following own wicked counsel            Jeremiah 7:24
g) Disobedience (of a worse kind)            Jeremiah 7:26-27
h) Truth has perished            Jeremiah 7:28c
i) Set up abominations in God’s house            Jeremiah 7:30 Cf. 2 Kings 16 King Ahaz
j) Atrocious practice of burning children to please idols            Jeremiah 7:31
k) Perpetual backsliding            Jeremiah 8:5

i) Holding fast to deceit            Jeremiah 8:5c
ii) Refused to return            Jeremiah 8:5d
iii) No repentance            Jeremiah 8:6
iv) No discernment of the judgment of the Lord            Jeremiah 8:7
v) Claim of wisdom            Jeremiah 8:8

l) Rejection of God’s word highlighted again            Jeremiah 8:9

3. Special Word to Jeremiah

a) With reference to Intercession (End of “normal or standard ways of praying”)

Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry of prayer for them, nor make
intercession to Me; for I will not hear you.

Jeremiah 7:16

b) With reference to Lamentation (New focus)

Cut off your hair and cast it away and take up a lamentation on the desolate heights; for
the LORD has rejected and forsaken the generation of His wrath

Jeremiah 7:29

B. SORROW OF JEREMIAH

1. Change of Approach

a) God’s word is heeded            (Jeremiah 7:16)
b) Previous approach in prayer to be set aside
c) Understanding why prayer alone would not be enough!
d) A new approach must be seriously considered
e) Jeremiah must discover how his ministry can be improved or risk total failure

2. Solemn Appeal to the nation

a) To assemble and sit in silence before the Lord            Jeremiah 8:14
b) Admission of sin against the Lord            Jeremiah 8:14f
c) Reasoning with the people            Jeremiah 8:15-16

i) No peace
ii) Signs of impending disaster            Jeremiah 8:16

3. Expression of deep personal sorrow

a) Heart faint            Jeremiah 8:18
b) No salvation            Jeremiah 8:20
c) Deep hurt            Jeremiah 8:21
d) Fighting despair            Jeremiah 8:22
e) Tears            Jeremiah 9:1-2

4. The Lord weeps for His people too

a) Thought of having to punish His people            Jeremiah 9:7-11
b) Thought of the pride of the people            Jeremiah 13:17
c) Jesus weeps over Jerusalem on the day of His Triumphal Entry            Luke 19:41