1. Jeremiah 6-7
1. “I am filled prophecies of the wrath of God…Pour it out on the
children in the street and on the gathering of youths, for men and
women alike will be caught up in it, the elders with the aged.” Jeremiah
6:11
Principally, this verse shows that all people in a society that declines will
be affected. But the sages see something in that also teaches us about
the cause of decline as well. Do you see it?
(The idea that the children are found in the street suggests that the
parents have allowed them to roam on the street rather than to be in
school or study hall or home. We even see an image of older children,
with their own secrets, as in gangs. The responsibility is both for men
2. and women, suggesting mothers and fathers, and those who repent, but
may have lost, the traditions, that is, the elders.)
2. “Were they ashamed that they committed abominations? They have
no shame at all.” 6:15
Why is the absence of shame a sign of most serious problems in
society?
(With shame, a people have a greater capacity to see, acknowledge, and
return from wrongdoing, with atonement, repair, and making a new
course. Without it, the inclination to remain in a state of dishonesty and
wrongdoing is far stronger.)
3. “If you truly do justice between man and his fellow; do not oppress
stranger, orphan, and widow; do not shed innocent blood in this place;
3. and do not go after gods of others, to your own harm - then I will
cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your
forefathers, forever and ever.” 7:5-7
Additional mention of concern is made about those who “steal, murder,
and commit adultery, and swear falsely.” 7:9
Here we get the most direct indictment of the society from God. What is
it, fundamentally?
(The society Jeremiah is critiquing is not committed to the primacy and
practice of justice, but must be in order to retain the promise. This is
really justice for all, not at the expense of anyone. The weak are
mentioned explicitly not to say that they should receive favorable
treatment at the expense of others, but rather that since they’re weak
and easier for others to exploit, special care must be taken to assure
that they are, with others, treated justly.
Following the ritual practices while failing to fulfill the requirements of
justice seems particularly noxious to God.
4. Do you have thoughts about these issues in our society?
(Discussion)
4. Note the reference to practices in the streets of Judah that bother
God: “The sons gather wood, the fathers kindle the fire, and the women
knead dough - in honor of the queen of heaven to pour out libations to
the gods of others.” 7:17-18
Knowing that the physical activities of gathering wood, handling flame,
and kneading the dough were tasks engaged in by Abraham’s family,
the ancestors of these people, why do you believe this behavior in the
streets was especially offensive?
5. (It’s as if the people remember the activities of forebears of their
tradition and have turned cherished practices to idolatrous ways. They
are either venerating the customs on their own and thinking the action
is all that’s required (irrespective of the principles of the ancestors who
first did them), or simply exporting these ways to the worship of alien
ways and purposes.
Can you think of ways people do similarly in our own times?
(Discussion)
5. The people do not listen to God or His true prophets and they do
“not accept rebuke.” “Faith is lost; it is detached from their speech.”
7:27-28
Several questions arise. First, what does it mean that - broadly - people
no longer listen to true prophets and won’t accept rebuke from them?
6. Second, what is meant by the conclusion that faith is lost?
Finally, what happens when faith is detached from speech?
Do we see parallels in our own society?
(People who once had true principles and values that they knew and
embraced have now largely abandoned them. Plus, they will not take
seriously criticism for having done so. They either don’t agree that
they’ve lost the way or don’t want to be told they have. In any event,
they have no intention of changing back.
They have lost the commitment to these core values and either pretend
through meaningless rituals or mere words that they are still committed
or have simply slipped away. Either way, they have lost true faith in
them.
Their speech reveals this loss of faith, again, either through insincere
words about a faith that is no longer true (lip service) or the absence
altogether of words of faith. Radak. Once true words disappear, faith
will, too, over time.
7. Daas Sofrim suggests, however, on a hopeful note, that what is lost can
be found.
(Discussion)
