Series:   Jeremiah / Lamentations for Beginners
‹ 4 of 9 ›

Temple Sermon and the People'S Rejection

By: Mike Mazzalongo     Posted: July, 2025
This lesson focuses on Jeremiah's bold rebuke of those who thought that the physical presence of the Temple in Jerusalem would protest them despite Jeremiah's warnings of God's imminent punishment due to their disobedience.
Sources

Primary Biblical Sources (NASB 1995)

  1. The False Security of the Temple
    • Judah's misplaced trust in the temple – Jeremiah 7:1-15
    • The covenant reminder and Judah's persistent disobedience – Jeremiah 11:1-17
    • God's refusal to hear their prayers – Jeremiah 11:14
  2. God's Warning Against Religious Hypocrisy
    • Idolatry in the temple – Jeremiah 7:30-34
    • Judah's refusal to repent – Jeremiah 8:4-17
    • The drought as a sign of judgment – Jeremiah 14:1-22
  3. Judgment on Judah's Idolatry
    • The foolishness of trusting idols vs. the sovereignty of God – Jeremiah 10:1-16
    • The certainty of judgment – Jeremiah 15:1-21, 16:1-13
  4. Jeremiah's Struggles and God's Encouragement
    • Jeremiah's complaint about the wicked prospering – Jeremiah 12:1-6
    • God's lesson on trusting Him – Jeremiah 17:5-10
  5. God's Silence as Judgment
    • God refusing to listen – Jeremiah 11:14, Isaiah 59:2, Proverbs 28:9
    • The dangers of rejecting truth – 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, Hebrews 10:26-27

Historical and Theological Sources

  1. Merrill, Eugene H., Mark F. Rooker, and Michael A. Grisanti. The World and the Word: An Introduction to the Old Testament. B&H Academic, 2011.
    • Contextual analysis of the Temple Sermon and its implications in Judah's history.
  2. Walton, John H., Victor H. Matthews, and Mark W. Chavalas. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament. InterVarsity Press, 2000.
    • Cultural background on idolatry in Judah, temple worship, and covenant violations.
  3. Thompson, J.A. The Book of Jeremiah (The New International Commentary on the Old Testament). Eerdmans, 1980.
    • Exposition on Jeremiah's call, struggles, and the Temple Sermon.
  4. Smith, Gary V. Interpreting the Prophetic Books: An Exegetical Handbook. Kregel Academic, 2014.
    • Guidance on prophetic themes and structure in Jeremiah's warnings.
  5. Longman III, Tremper. Jeremiah, Lamentations (The New International Biblical Commentary). Hendrickson, 2008.
  • Analysis of Jeremiah's struggles, divine judgment, and false security in religion.
  1. Harrison, R.K. Introduction to the Old Testament. Eerdmans, 1979.
  • Theological insights on prophetic intercession, divine patience, and judgment.

Additional Study Aids and Word Studies

  1. Botterweck, G. Johannes, and Helmer Ringgren, eds. Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament. Eerdmans, 1974.
  • Hebrew word studies on "shuv" (repentance), "avon" (iniquity), and "shama" (listen/hear), related to God's rejection of Judah's prayers.
  1. Richards, Lawrence O. The Teacher's Commentary. Cook Communications, 2002.
  • Practical application of Jeremiah's warnings for today's believers.
Back to top ↑