Jeremiah 7:16 “As for you, do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer for them, and do not intercede with me, for I will not hear you.”

This verse is God talking to the prophet. God has been pointing out the evil of the people to explain why they will be taken away. This verse is a great lesson to those who believe that God is so good that He will forgive everyone in the last moment. Moses prayed, Abraham interceded and others prayed for God to intervene but the people, like those in Noah’s day, have gone too far. This illustrates that mankind can go too far in insulting and disobeying God.

Earlier in the chapter God points out their sins. It is a long list and includes theft, murder, adultery, false testimony, worshiping idols, mistreating orphans and widows and strangers. He sums that behavior up by accusing them of coming to the temple and saying we are saved. The point is too plain to miss. The guilty will be punished. It has always been that way and nothing has changed except the coming of the Messiah. Even the coming of the Messiah was only for those who confessed their sins and changed their lifestyle, obeying the words given by the Messiah.

Later in the chapter God explains what they should have done but didn’t. “But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’” (7:23)

Task for Today:  Those people did not obey but followed their own way. If you wish to avoid their fate then the way is clear. Listen to the Word of God and obey His commands. Jesus said, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved.” Naturally, that includes the idea of 1 John 1:7, 9. You can be like Judah or you can be like the New Testament Christians. Do not fall for the idea that God will save you regardless.