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this one thing

Jeremiah 17:19-27 (JDV)

Jeremiah 17:19 This is what Yahveh said to me, “Go and stand at the People’s Gate, through which the kings of Judah enter and leave, as well as at all the gates of Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 17:20 Announce to them, ‘Hear the word of Yahveh, kings of Judah, all Judah, and all the residents of Jerusalem who enter through these gates.

Jeremiah 17:21 This is what Yahveh says: Watch yourselves; do not pick up a load and bring it in through Jerusalem’s gates on the Sabbath day.

Jeremiah 17:22 Do not carry a load out of your houses on the Sabbath day or do any work, but keep the Sabbath day sacred, just as I commanded your fathers.

Jeremiah 17:23 They wouldn’t listen or pay attention but became obstinate, not listening or accepting discipline.

Jeremiah 17:24 ” ‘However, if you listen to me – this is what Yahveh declares – and do not bring loads through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but keep the Sabbath day sacred and do no work on it,

Jeremiah 17:25 kings and princes will enter through the gates of this city. They will sit on the throne of David; they will ride in chariots and on horses with their officials, the men of Judah, and the residents of Jerusalem. This city will be inhabited permanently.

Jeremiah 17:26 Then people will come from the cities of Judah and from the area around Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin and from the Judean foothills, from the hill country and from the Negev bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and frankincense, and thank offerings to the house of Yahveh.

Jeremiah 17:27 But if you do not listen to me by keeping the Sabbath day sacred by not carrying a load while entering the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, I will set fire to its gates, and it will consume the citadels of Jerusalem and not be extinguished.'”

this one thing

Of all the Commandments the Lord had given the Israelites through Moses, he only picked one. Sabbath observance was the easiest of the commandments to comply with, and the choice to obey it would be immediately visibly evident.

Jeremiah was to stand at the gates and demand just this one bit of obedience, just this one sign of repentance. If the people of Jerusalem were not willing to change just this one thing, then the gates and everything in them – and everyone in them – were doomed to destruction.

Under the new covenant with Christ there are some things he tells us to do to show our repentance and commitment to him. Just pick one, and do it. Show the Lord that he means something to you.

Lord, give us the wisdom to demonstrate our faith.