There, he said to them among other things, “You have filled this place with the blood of innocents.” By “the blood of innocents” he was referring to the sacrifices of infants that they made to false gods. He said to them, “Therefore behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, that this place shall no more be called Tophet or the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter.” [2] By the way, Tophet is a reference to the drums that they would play to drown out the cries of the babies as they burned to death in the fires.
The Valley of Slaughter is where their enemies, the Babylonians, set up camp before attacking and destroying the city.
Jeremiah took a flask and shattered it on the ground before the elders and priests as a sign to them of how their lives were about to be shattered and destroyed. “Thus, I will do to this place, says the Lord, and to its inhabitants, and make this city like Tophet.” [3]
As they had burned their infants to idols their bodies would be burned by fire. This burning is echoed in the ovens of the concentration camps of Germany during the 1940’s. But before we wave a finger at the Jews or the Germans, let us consider that another race is being slaughtered under our noses during the 21st Century. About 3,700 per day or 1.37 million per year in the USA! About 115,000 per day or 42 million per year globally. The race consists of babies from the human race.
So, Lord’s Word to those elders and priests in Tophet is relevant for us today.
After speaking to the elders and priests, the Lord led Jeremiah to stand in the court of the Lord’s house and proclaim to all the people doom because they had stiffened their necks so as not to listen to what He had to say. [4]
During New Testament times, the Apostle Peter warned people that God spared not angels who sinned. He sent them to hell. God spared not the ancient world. He sent the flood. God spared not Sodom and Gomorrah. He sent the fire. He wrote, “The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority.” “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” [5]
People, we need wisdom. We need God’s grace to help us repent. The Lord says, “Scoffers set a city aflame, but wise men turn away wrath.” The Lord says, “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but happy is he who keeps the Law.” [6] “Lord, please restore righteousness among us!”
“It is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance.” [7] “Lord, please be kind to us in this regard. Bring us to repentance! Bring us to our knees! We don’t want our nation to suffer the same consequences of sin as Jeremiah’s people did.”
What does the Lord do, when we repent? He forgives us. He renews in us a clean heart and a right spirit. He helps us to pray for people. He moves the mountains that we place in His hands. He brings us together. We enjoy togetherness again. Love, joy and peace flow! Innovation happens! Blessings flow! Praise the Lord!
God’s intentions for us our good. “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” [8] God has enough for everyone. We just need to trust Him. He will build us and help us to grow.
[1] Jeremiah 19:1-3
[2] Jeremiah 19:4, 6
[3] Jeremiah 19:10-12
[4] Jeremiah 19:15
[5] 2 Peter 2:4-6, 9-10; 3:9
[6] Proverbs 29:8, 18
[7] Romans 2:4
[8] 1 Timothy 2:3-4
[2] Jeremiah 19:4, 6
[3] Jeremiah 19:10-12
[4] Jeremiah 19:15
[5] 2 Peter 2:4-6, 9-10; 3:9
[6] Proverbs 29:8, 18
[7] Romans 2:4
[8] 1 Timothy 2:3-4
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