Lucky Charms
Read Jeremiah 7:1–10:25
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1. The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said,
2. “Go to the entrance of the Lord’s Temple, and give this message to the people: ‘O Judah, listen to this message from the Lord! Listen to it, all of you who worship here!
3. This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: “‘Even now, if you quit your evil ways, I will let you stay in your own land.
4. But don’t be fooled by those who promise you safety simply because the Lord’s Temple is here. They chant, “The Lord’s Temple is here! The Lord’s Temple is here!”
5. But I will be merciful only if you stop your evil thoughts and deeds and start treating each other with justice;
6. only if you stop exploiting foreigners, orphans, and widows; only if you stop your murdering; and only if you stop harming yourselves by worshiping idols.’” Jeremiah 7:1-6
Many people believe that lucky charms will protect or help them. Some people carry a rabbit’s foot or wear a lucky hat, shirt, or tie. Many Christians have one of these charms, and many others have their own variations—a cross necklace, an angel pin, or maybe a way of praying that they think has special significance.
When it comes to lucky charms, the people of Judah were no different from people today. In this passage, Jeremiah exposes their misplaced dependence on one religious artifact. Unlike people’s lucky charms today, however, Judah’s charm wasn’t small enough to wear or carry. In this passage you will find proof that objects don’t bring luck to anyone.
The people who lived in Jerusalem depended on the ultimate good-luck charm: the Temple. They thought that as long as the Temple stood in Jerusalem they would have God’s favor and be protected from harm (Jeremiah 7:4, 10). Meanwhile, they lived sinful lives, oppressing aliens, widows, and orphans, and worshiping false gods (7:5-7). They had misplaced their faith—instead of trusting in God, they were trusting in the Temple.
True faith never involves superstitious belief in the power of an object. God wants us to respond personally to him and his will. Attending church, taking communion, teaching sunday school, singing in the choir, wearing a cross—these exercises grow out of our love for God; they don’t gain us his favor or protection.
