Jeremiah 7:23

“But this thing commanded I them, saying, etc.] This was the sum and substance of what was then commanded, even obedience to the moral law; this was the main and principal thing enjoined, and to which the promise was annexed: obey my voice: the word of the Lord, his commands, the precepts of the decalogue; obedience to which was preferable to the sacrifices of the ceremonial law; (see <091522>1 Samuel 15:22), wherefore it follows: and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people; the meaning is, that while they were obedient to him, he would protect them from their enemies, and continue them in their privileges and blessings, which he had bestowed upon them as his peculiar people: and walk…”

“(Exo 15:26; Exo 19:5).”

“Obey ... - These words are not found verbatim in the Pentateuch, but are a sum mary of its principles. Sacrifice is never the final cause of the covenant, but always obedience (Exodus 19:5-6; Leviticus 11:45. Compare Exodus 20:0; Deuteronomy 11:0, in which the moral object of the Mosaic dispensation is most clearly taught). In connection with Jeremiah’s argument, notice that Amos 5:25 (taken in conjunction with Joshua 5:2-7) proves that the ceremonial law was not observed during the 40 years’ wandering in the wilderness. A thing so long in abeyance in the very time of its founder, could not be of primary importance. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Obey: Jer 11:4, Jer 11:7; Exo 15:26, Exo 19:5, Exo 19:6; Lev 26:3-12; Deu 5:29, Deu 5:33, Deu 6:3, Deu 11:27, Deu 13:4; Deu 30:2, Deu 30:8, Deu 30:20; Rom 16:26; Co2 10:5; Heb 5:9 and I: Jer 31:33 that it: Jer 42:6; Deu 4:10, Deu 5:16, Deu 5:33 Jeremiah 7:24”