Jeremiah 7:6
if you no longer oppress the foreigner and the fatherless and the widow, and if you no longer shed innocent blood in this place or follow other gods to your own harm,
if you no longer oppress
The Hebrew word for "oppress" is "עָשַׁק" (ashaq), which conveys the idea of exploiting or taking advantage of someone. In the historical context of ancient Israel, oppression was a significant issue, as the powerful often exploited the vulnerable. This phrase calls for a cessation of unjust practices, urging the people to align with God's justice and mercy. It is a call to repentance and transformation, emphasizing the importance of treating others with fairness and compassion.

the foreigner
The term "foreigner" refers to "גֵּר" (ger) in Hebrew, meaning a sojourner or a resident alien. In ancient Israel, foreigners were often marginalized and lacked the same rights as native-born Israelites. God's command to care for the foreigner reflects His inclusive love and justice, reminding the Israelites of their own history as foreigners in Egypt. This highlights the biblical principle of hospitality and the call to extend God's love beyond ethnic and national boundaries.

the fatherless
The "fatherless" or "יָתוֹם" (yathom) in Hebrew, represents orphans who were particularly vulnerable in ancient society. Without a father to provide and protect, orphans were at risk of poverty and exploitation. God's concern for the fatherless is a recurring theme in Scripture, underscoring His role as a defender of the weak and a Father to the fatherless. This phrase calls believers to reflect God's heart by caring for those who cannot care for themselves.

or the widow
The Hebrew word for "widow" is "אַלְמָנָה" (almanah), referring to women who have lost their husbands and, consequently, their primary source of economic support. Widows were often left destitute and vulnerable. God's command to protect widows is a testament to His compassion and justice, urging His people to uphold the dignity and rights of those who are marginalized. This reflects the biblical mandate to care for the vulnerable and uphold justice.

and if you no longer shed innocent blood
"Shed innocent blood" is a phrase that denotes the act of murder or causing harm to those who are guiltless. The Hebrew word "שָׁפַךְ" (shaphak) means to pour out or spill, often used in the context of bloodshed. This command underscores the sanctity of life, a core biblical principle. It calls for the protection of the innocent and a commitment to justice, reflecting God's abhorrence of violence and His desire for peace and righteousness.

in this place
"This place" refers to the temple in Jerusalem, a sacred space where God's presence dwelt among His people. The temple was meant to be a place of worship and justice, not violence or idolatry. This phrase serves as a reminder of the holiness required in God's presence and the need for His people to live righteously. It calls believers to honor God's dwelling with purity and reverence.

or follow other gods
The phrase "follow other gods" highlights the sin of idolatry, which was a persistent issue for Israel. The Hebrew word "אַחֵר" (acher) means "other" or "foreign," indicating gods that are not the one true God. Idolatry is a betrayal of the covenant relationship with God, leading to spiritual adultery. This command warns against the allure of false gods and calls for exclusive devotion to Yahweh, the God of Israel.

to your own harm
The phrase "to your own harm" indicates the self-destructive nature of sin, particularly idolatry and injustice. The Hebrew word "רָעָה" (ra'ah) means "evil" or "harm," suggesting that turning away from God leads to negative consequences. This serves as a warning that disobedience to God's commands results in personal and communal suffering. It is a call to recognize the blessings of obedience and the dangers of straying from God's path.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. His ministry was marked by calls for repentance and warnings of impending judgment due to the people's unfaithfulness.

2. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing imminent judgment due to its idolatry and social injustices. Jeremiah's messages were primarily directed towards the people of Judah.

3. The Temple
The place where Jeremiah delivered this message, emphasizing the importance of true worship and justice over mere ritualistic practices.

4. The Foreigner, the Fatherless, and the Widow
Represent vulnerable groups in society that God commands His people to protect and care for, highlighting His concern for justice and mercy.

5. Idolatry
The worship of other gods, which was a significant issue in Judah, leading to moral and social decay.
Teaching Points
Justice and Compassion
God calls His people to act justly and show compassion to the vulnerable, reflecting His character and heart for justice.

True Worship
Worship is not just about rituals but involves living a life that honors God through justice and righteousness.

Consequences of Idolatry
Idolatry leads to moral decay and social injustice, and God warns of the consequences of turning away from Him.

Repentance and Reform
Genuine repentance involves turning away from sin and making tangible changes in how we treat others, especially the marginalized.

God's Heart for the Vulnerable
God's concern for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow is a recurring theme, calling believers to reflect His love and justice in their communities.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Jeremiah 7:6 challenge our understanding of what it means to worship God truly?

2. In what ways can we apply the call to protect and care for the vulnerable in our modern context?

3. How does the theme of justice in Jeremiah 7:6 connect with the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament?

4. What are some modern forms of idolatry that can lead us away from God's commands for justice and compassion?

5. How can we as a church community ensure that we are not just performing religious rituals but are actively living out God's call to justice and mercy?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 22:21-24
This passage emphasizes God's command to not mistreat or oppress foreigners, widows, and orphans, showing a consistent biblical theme of justice and care for the vulnerable.

Deuteronomy 10:18-19
Highlights God's love for the foreigner and commands His people to love them as well, reinforcing the call to justice and compassion.

Isaiah 1:17
Calls for learning to do good, seeking justice, and correcting oppression, which aligns with Jeremiah's message of reform and righteousness.

James 1:27
Describes pure religion as caring for orphans and widows, connecting the Old Testament call for justice with New Testament teachings.
Boldness in PreachingEdward Irving.Jeremiah 7:1-7
Religion, the Best Security to Church and StateE. Gibson, D. D.Jeremiah 7:1-7
The Character Required in Those the Would Worship GodH. G. Salter.Jeremiah 7:1-7
The Folly of Trusting in External PrivilegesChristian ObserverJeremiah 7:1-7
The Doom of the TempleD. Young Jeremiah 7:1-14
The Relations of Righteousness and ReligionS. Conway Jeremiah 7:1-34
Who Shall Dwell in the House of the Lord?A.F. Muir Jeremiah 7:4-7
Strange Church-GoersS. Conway Jeremiah 7:5-16
People
Ben, Jeremiah
Places
Egypt, Jerusalem, Shiloh, Topheth, Valley of Hinnom, Valley of Slaughter, Zion
Topics
Alien, Blood, Causing, Child, Cruel, Damage, Death, Evil, Fatherless, Follow, Foreigner, Gods, Harm, Hurt, Innocent, Oppress, Orphan, Ruin, Shed, Sojourner, Strange, Stranger, Upright, Walk, Widow, Yourselves
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 7:6

     7530   foreigners
     8791   oppression, nature of

Jeremiah 7:1-11

     7756   preaching, content

Jeremiah 7:2-7

     7545   outsiders

Jeremiah 7:2-8

     8278   innocence, teaching on

Jeremiah 7:2-11

     5943   self-deception

Jeremiah 7:5-7

     1075   God, justice of
     5730   orphans

Jeremiah 7:5-8

     5361   justice, human

Library
An Earnest Warning About Lukewarmness
I should judge that the church at Laodicea was once in a very fervent and healthy condition. Paul wrote a letter to it which did not claim inspiration, and therefore its loss does not render the Scriptures incomplete, for Paul may have written scores of other letters besides. Paul also mentions the church at Laodicea in his letter to the church at Colosse; he was, therefore, well acquainted with it, and as he does not utter a word of censure with regard to it, we may infer that the church was at
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 20: 1874

The Sinner Stripped of his Vain Pleas.
1, 2. The vanity of those pleas which sinners may secretly confide in, is so apparent that they will be ashamed at last to mention them before God.--3. Such as, that they descended from pious us parents.--4. That they had attended to the speculative part of religion.--5. That they had entertained sound notion..--6, 7. That they had expressed a zealous regard to religion, and attended the outward forms of worship with those they apprehended the purest churches.--8. That they had been free from gross
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

The Life of Mr. Hugh Binning.
There being a great demand for the several books that are printed under Mr. Binning's name, it was judged proper to undertake a new and correct impression of them in one volume. This being done, the publishers were much concerned to have the life of such an useful and eminent minister of Christ written, in justice to his memory, and his great services in the work of the gospel, that it might go along with this impression. We living now at so great distance from the time wherein he made a figure in
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Valley of Hinnom.
A great part of the valley of Kedron was called also the 'Valley of Hinnom.' Jeremiah, going forth into the valley of Hinnom, went out by the gate "Hacharsith, the Sun-gate," Jeremiah 19:2; that is, the Rabbins and others being interpreters, 'by the East-gate.' For thence was the beginning of the valley of Hinnom, which, after some space, bending itself westward, ran out along the south side of the city. There is no need to repeat those very many things, which are related of this place in the Old
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The Knowledge that God Is, Combined with the Knowledge that He is to be Worshipped.
John iv. 24.--"God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." There are two common notions engraven on the hearts of all men by nature,--that God is, and that he must be worshipped, and these two live and die together, they are clear, or blotted together. According as the apprehension of God is clear, and distinct, and more deeply engraven on the soul, so is this notion of man's duty of worshipping God clear and imprinted on the soul, and whenever the actions
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Everlasting Covenant of the Spirit
"They shall be My people, and l will be their God. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from Me."--JER. xxxii. 38, 40. "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants

Whether a Vow Should Always be About a Better Good?
Objection 1: It would seem that a vow need not be always about a better good. A greater good is one that pertains to supererogation. But vows are not only about matters of supererogation, but also about matters of salvation: thus in Baptism men vow to renounce the devil and his pomps, and to keep the faith, as a gloss observes on Ps. 75:12, "Vow ye, and pay to the Lord your God"; and Jacob vowed (Gn. 28:21) that the Lord should be his God. Now this above all is necessary for salvation. Therefore
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of Alexander the Great to the Accession of Herod
The political connection of the Grecian world, and, with it, the conflict with Hellenism, may be said to have connected with the victorious progress of Alexander the Great through the then known world (333 b.c.). [6326] It was not only that his destruction of the Persian empire put an end to the easy and peaceful allegiance which Judæa had owned to it for about two centuries, but that the establishment of such a vast Hellenic empire. as was the aim of Alexander, introduced a new element into
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Obedience
Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments.' Deut 27: 9, 10. What is the duty which God requireth of man? Obedience to his revealed will. It is not enough to hear God's voice, but we must obey. Obedience is a part of the honour we owe to God. If then I be a Father, where is my honour?' Mal 1: 6. Obedience carries in it the life-blood of religion. Obey the voice of the Lord
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Christian Worship,
PART I In the early days of the Gospel, while the Christians were generally poor, and when they were obliged to meet in fear of the heathen, their worship was held in private houses and sometimes in burial-places under-ground. But after a time buildings were expressly set apart for worship. It has been mentioned that in the years of quiet, between the death of Valerian and the last persecution (A D. 261-303) these churches were built much more handsomely than before, and were furnished with gold
J. C. Roberston—Sketches of Church History, from AD 33 to the Reformation

Some General Uses from this Useful Truth, that Christ is the Truth.
Having thus cleared up this truth, we should come to speak of the way of believers making use of him as the truth, in several cases wherein they will stand in need of him as the truth. But ere we come to the particulars, we shall first propose some general uses of this useful point. First. This point of truth serveth to discover unto us, the woful condition of such as are strangers to Christ the truth; and oh, if it were believed! For, 1. They are not yet delivered from that dreadful plague of
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

First Ministry in Judæa --John's Second Testimony.
(Judæa and Ænon.) ^D John III. 22-36. ^d 22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judæa [That is, he left Jerusalem, the capital of Judæa, and went into the rural districts thereof. We find him there again in John xi. and Luke xiii.-xviii. He gained disciples there, but of them we know but few, such as Mary, Martha, Lazarus, Simeon, and Judas Iscariot]; and there he tarried with them [It is not stated how long he tarried, but it may have been from
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Barren Fig-Tree. Temple Cleansed.
(Road from Bethany and Jerusalem. Monday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXI. 18, 19, 12, 13; ^B Mark XI. 12-18; ^C Luke XIX. 45-48. ^b 12 And ^a 18 Now ^b on the morrow [on the Monday following the triumphal entry], ^a in the morning ^b when they were come out from Bethany, ^a as he returned to the city [Jerusalem], he hungered. [Breakfast with the Jews came late in the forenoon, and these closing days of our Lord's ministry were full of activity that did not have time to tarry at Bethany for it. Our
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Concerning the Ministry.
Concerning the Ministry. As by the light or gift of God all true knowledge in things spiritual is received and revealed, so by the same, as it is manifested and received in the heart, by the strength and power thereof, every true minister of the gospel is ordained, prepared, and supplied in the work of the ministry; and by the leading, moving, and drawing hereof ought every evangelist and Christian pastor to be led and ordered in his labour and work of the gospel, both as to the place where, as to
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

The Scriptures Reveal Eternal Life through Jesus Christ
John v. 39--"Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me." Eph. ii. 20--"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets." As in darkness there is need of a lantern without and the light of the eyes within--for neither can we see in darkness without some lamp though we have never so good eyes, nor yet see without eyes, though in never so clear a sunshine--so there is absolute need for the guiding of our feet in the dangerous
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"To what Purpose is the Multitude of Your Sacrifices unto Me? Saith the Lord,"
Isaiah i. 11.--"To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord," &c. This is the word he calls them to hear and a strange word. Isaiah asks, What mean your sacrifices? God will not have them. I think the people would say in their own hearts, What means the prophet? What would the Lord be at? Do we anything but what he commanded us? Is he angry at us for obeying him? What means this word? Is he not repealing the statute and ordinance he had made in Israel? If he had reproved
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"All Our Righteousnesses are as Filthy Rags, and we all do Fade as a Leaf, and Our Iniquities, Like the Wind, have Taken us Away. "
Isaiah lxiv. 6, 7.--"All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Not only are the direct breaches of the command uncleanness, and men originally and actually unclean, but even our holy actions, our commanded duties. Take a man's civility, religion, and all his universal inherent righteousness,--all are filthy rags. And here the church confesseth nothing but what God accuseth her of, Isa. lxvi. 8, and chap. i. ver.
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Covenanting a Duty.
The exercise of Covenanting with God is enjoined by Him as the Supreme Moral Governor of all. That his Covenant should be acceded to, by men in every age and condition, is ordained as a law, sanctioned by his high authority,--recorded in his law of perpetual moral obligation on men, as a statute decreed by him, and in virtue of his underived sovereignty, promulgated by his command. "He hath commanded his covenant for ever."[171] The exercise is inculcated according to the will of God, as King and
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Motives to Holy Mourning
Let me exhort Christians to holy mourning. I now persuade to such a mourning as will prepare the soul for blessedness. Oh that our hearts were spiritual limbecs, distilling the water of holy tears! Christ's doves weep. They that escape shall be like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity' (Ezekiel 7:16). There are several divine motives to holy mourning: 1 Tears cannot be put to a better use. If you weep for outward losses, you lose your tears. It is like a shower
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Letter ii (A. D. 1126) to the Monk Adam
To the Monk Adam [3] 1. If you remain yet in that spirit of charity which I either knew or believed to be with you formerly, you would certainly feel the condemnation with which charity must regard the scandal which you have given to the weak. For charity would not offend charity, nor scorn when it feels itself offended. For it cannot deny itself, nor be divided against itself. Its function is rather to draw together things divided; and it is far from dividing those that are joined. Now, if that
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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