Jeremiah 17:19-27 - Keep the Sabbath holy

17:19-22

Oh, we have enormous problems with the Sabbath, not understanding it at all. We tend to be at one extreme or the other. On one extreme are Sabbatarians who will allow virtually nothing on the Sabbath, though there few in this camp these days. On the other are those who ignore it all together, except that we go to church on Sundays. The Sabbath was not just about obeying rules, though that is what the Pharisees had reduced it to, as was evidenced by the conflicts with Jesus over the Sabbath (and also showed that the strict sabbatarian approach is not the right one). But then we have verse like these (which are far from unique in the Old Testament) that mean that virtually ignoring the Sabbath is not the right approach either. There must be more to it! The Sabbath was a reminder of our complete dependence upon God. We are to work, and it matters, but our fruitfulness is ultimately dependent upon God. The good news is that we are free to take a break, are even commanded to do so! Instead, we have a habit of being workaholics. The day also looked forward to the day of salvation. The people of Judah had lost all connection with any of this.

17:23-27

Typically, the people of Judah ignored all this. Yet God gives them another chance. If they repent and change their ways God will bless the people and the city. God’s commands bring blessing, they are for His glory and for our good. However, if they did not repent (as they would not), then the judgement would come in the form of unquenchable fire, the Babylonian invasion. This invasion is one which could have been prevented at any moment by the repentance of the people! Likewise, “deathbed conversions” are allowable! Though it is far better to do it sooner, rather than later!