Jeremiah 7:18

"Don’t you see what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?"

Key Reflection

In Jeremiah 7:18, the prophet addresses a profound concern about the religious practices of his contemporaries. The original audience would have recognized the reference to the worship practices in the cities and streets of Judah, particularly noting that they continued to engage in idolatrous rituals despite the covenant God had made with them at Mount Sinai. This verse highlights the hypocrisy and deviation from true faith, as the people were maintaining outward religious observances while ignoring the core commandments of God's law.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Children ... fathers ... women -All members of the family take part in this idolatry. Cakes -Probably very similar to those offered at Athens to Artemis. To the queen of heaven -A Persian and Assyrian deity, who was supposed to symbolize a quality possessed by moonlight of giving to nature its receptive power, as the sun represented its quickening power. The moon thus became generally the symbol of female productiveness, and was worshipped as such at Babylon. Disgraceful usages to which every woman was obliged once to submit formed part of her worship.

More from Jeremiah 7

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