Discovery Journal

Kevin T. – Aug 11, 2010

Scripture:

Jeremiah 7:22,23 For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices. But this is what I commanded them, saying, "Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you will be my people: and you will walk in all the way which I command you that it may be well with you."

Observation:

In the midst of a whole bunch of prophecy of rebuke and judgment, the Lord points out that the reason He delivered His people was not for the ritual and religion of sacrifices and offerings but for fellowship with Him and the benefit of walking in His ways. His anger with His people is rooted in their continual sabotage and dismantling of His plan to bless them and dwell with them, not with their failure to obey all the rules just right.

Application:

The more I read the Old Testament the more I recognize the Lord as an offended and cheated husband than a cranky dictator. He is the one going to great lengths to establish fellowship and blessing in my life, and I am the one working against it too often. Jesus, my advocate with the Father, turns away this wrath that Israel had to face, yet it doesn't change His heart. He is passionate for His eternity-long purpose of fellowship with us and our good. And He is wrathful toward the things that hinder this.

Prayer:

Lord, above all help me be aware of Your heart and Your intense desire for fellowship with me and for my good. Let me make my decisions according to this and live with this consciousness.