July 15, 2025 - Jeremiah 7-8

Again, right at the beginning of my reading, a short phrase stands out to me:  “Stand in the gate . . . and proclaim there this word” (7:2).  One man standing!  I remember Dr. Mohler’s sermon when being installed as president of Southern; it was entitled “Don't just do something, stand there!”  The importance of making a stand!  What about the well-known Martin Luther quote, when he was commanded to recant all that he had taught?  “Here I stand.  I can do no other.” 

How difficult it was for Jeremiah to stand and to preach such judgment.  His natural temperament seemed to be that of a shy, retreating young man.  Yet, here he was, standing in the most public and trafficked place in all the nation, the gate of the temple . . . the lonely prophet, with no one supporting him, and preaching a message no one wanted to hear!  What a contrast with others who spoke to the people:  “. . . from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely. They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, 'Peace, peace,' when there is no peace” (8:10).  The people’s leaders and prophets and priests told them lies.  Jeremiah told them the truth.  And he did this for forty years!  That’s faithfulness.  That’s perseverance.  That’s a model for us to follow.  We have such good news to proclaim!

On Jordan's bank the Baptist’s cry

announces that the Lord is nigh.

Awake and harken, for he brings

glad tidings of the King of kings!

Then cleansed be every life from sin:

make straight the way for God within,

and let us all our hearts prepare

for Christ to come and enter there.   -- Charles Coffin (1837)