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Read: Jeremiah 7:6-7
Listen: Jeremiah 7

If you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other Gods to your own harm… Jeremiah 7:6

The Israelites are guilty of more than just idol worship. They also mistreat the most powerless and vulnerable in their society. Jeremiah points out that their love for God correlates to their love for others. God holds the poor and powerless close to his heart. Israel’s worship of counterfeit gods causes them to lose sight of God’s most beloved. This grieves God. He cannot turn a blind eye to this injustice.

When we try to satisfy our longings through counterfeit gods, we lose our ability to love others well. If we worship money and wealth, we strangle generosity. If we seek intimacy through pornography, we begin to see people as objects. If we spend our lives posting online for likes, we become judgmental and envious of others. Jesus commanded us to love God and love others (Matthew 22:34-40). They are connected like two links in a chain. When we love God well, we begin to see people through God’s eyes. We see their talents, beauty and worth. God wants our compassion for others to reflect his compassion for us. As we grow to treasure God, we grow to treasure people.

TODAY: Focus your heart on the two greatest commandments (Matthew 22:34-40). Repeat this simple prayer as you interact with others throughout your day: “Lord, help me love you with all I am and love others as you do. Amen.”

JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:

Read Jeremiah 4-5. Highlight anything that points to Jesus.