August 23, 2020

Behold, the truth is, the lying pen of the scribes has made of the law a falsehood (a mere code of ceremonial observances).  They shall be put to shame (dismayed) taken captive.  Behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD – therefore will I give their wives to others and their fields to those who gain possession of them – for everyone is given to covetousness – everyone does falsely….  and the things I have given them shall pass away from them [for I have appointed to them those who shall pass over them].

(Jeremiah 8:8b-10,13b)

…. Pretenders and hypocrites – these people [constantly] honor Me with their lips, but their hearts hold off and are far distant from Me.  In vain (fruitlessly and without profit) do they worship Me, ordering and teaching [to be obeyed] as doctrines the commandments and precepts of men.  You disregard and give up and ask to depart from you the commandment of God and cling to the tradition of men [keeping it carefully and faithfully]…. You have a fine way of rejecting (thus thwarting and nullifying and doing away with) the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition (your own human regulations)!  Thus you are nullifying and making void and of no effect [the authority of] the Word of God through your tradition, which you [in turn] hand on.  And many things of this kind are you doing.

(Mark 7:6b-9,13)

And the LORD said, “Forasmuch as this people draw near Me with their  mouth and honor Me with their lips but remove their hearts and minds far from Me; and their fear and reverence for Me are a commandment of men that is learned by repetition [without any thought as to the meaning].  Therefore, behold!  I will again do marvelous things with this people, marvelous and astonishing things and the wisdom of their wise men will perish, and the understanding of their discerning men will vanish and be hidden.”  (Isaiah 29:13-14)

See, this is the man who made not God his strength (his stronghold and high tower) but trusted in and confidently relied on the abundance of his riches, seeking refuge and security for himself through his wickedness.

But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I TRUST IN AND CONFIDENTLY RELY ON THE LOVING-KINDNESS AND THE MERCY OF GOD FOREVER AND EVER.  I WILL THANK YOU AND CONFIDE IN YOU FOREVER, BECAUSE YOU HAVE DONE IT [DELIVERED ME AND KEPT ME SAFE].  I WILL WAIT ON, HOPE IN AND EXPECT IN YOUR NAME, FOR IT IS GOOD, IN THE PRESENCE OF YOUR SAINTS (YOUR KIND AND PIOUS ONES).

(Psalm 52:7-9)