In Jeremiah 7, we read some challenging words that God sent Israel through Jeremiah. Israel had been relying on the physical presence of God’s temple as a means of salvation, while themselves committing all sorts of acts. God’s house had “become a den of robbers”, a place where people “trust in deceptive words”. Israel had refused to hear God’s prophets, “when I spoke to you persistently you did not listen, and when I called you, you did not answer”. As a result, God would cast Israel out of his sight. He specifically told Jeremiah, “do not pray for this people … and do not intercede with me”.
God had given Israel a command when bringing them out of Egypt, “Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people … but they did not obey or incline their ear”. Yet in this sad state, God still offered Israel hope. “For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds … then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers forever.”
This same offer of hope extends to us. In Acts 3, Peter told the people “repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out”. If we follow this advice, listening to God, answering when He calls, then we too can inherit the land promised to Israel’s fathers forever.