When Religion Becomes an Idol

Jeremiah 7:1–4 (ESV) The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: 2 “Stand in the gate of the LORD’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all you men of Judah who enter these gates to worship the LORD. 3 Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Amend your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place. 4 Do not trust in these deceptive words: ‘This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD.’

In Jeremiah's day the phrase, "This is the temple of the Lord" had become a boast. They believed that just because they had the temple, they were safe. They believed nothing could come against them as long as that temple stood. How wrong they were. 

How often we can consider our religious practices and buildings and products a sign that we are blessed by God and doing right when really we are guilty of empty worship, sinful habits, and vain self-seeking idolatry. 

What was Israel up to? Jeremiah stipulates:

Jeremiah 7:5–7 (ESV) “For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly execute justice one with another, 6 if you do not oppress the sojourner, the fatherless, or the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own harm, 7 then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers forever.

God is not concerned with what we perform in the eyes of the world as a religious presentation. God is concerned with what we do that blesses others and shares His love and grace. We are to care for those who need it. We are to protect the innocent, love the stranger, and show concern for those marginalized by death or disaster. 

Jeremiah 7:9–10 (ESV) Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, make offerings to Baal, and go after other gods that you have not known, 10 and then come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, ‘We are delivered!’—only to go on doing all these abominations?

You cannot put on a religious show and then go on sinning without bringing eventual judgment. 

Then the Lord calls them to remember the past.

Jeremiah 7:12 (ESV) Go now to my place that was in Shiloh, where I made my name dwell at first, and see what I did to it because of the evil of my people Israel.

Shiloh was where the tabernacle stood and Eli's sons acted wickedly in the administration of the offerings and service concerning the sacrifices. They took the best for themselves and fornicated with the women. 

Jeremiah 7:21–23 (ESV) Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices, and eat the flesh. 22 For in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I did not speak to your fathers or command them concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices. 23 But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’

In the laws concerning Israel's offerings, only the burnt offering was totally dedicated to the Lord. But here the Lord considers the offering useless so they may as well eat it all for themselves. Then he reminds them once again that empty religious practices in the life of a believer without conviction of sin and proper action toward others is not just sin, it will rob them of the community and joy they were created and ordered to have. 

These are hard words but so necessary. The modern church is confused about walking with the Lord. They want to feel good but not do good. They want to look good but not act right. God is looking for His people to show the world what true faith is and is not. 

Let the Church learn from Jeremiah and do as he reveals.