This is laid down in Ver. 23 - obedience to God. It is the teaching of the entire Bible, of our Lord, the prophets, his apostles. The gospel is for this - to secure it more perfectly; and the sacrifices of the ancient Law were for the same reason. But men have ever rebelled against this. They were doing so in Jeremiah's time. They sought to make their sacrifices and burnt offerings a substitute for the obedience God commanded. Hence, as Hezekiah was compelled to destroy the venerable relic, the brazen serpent, which, intended as an aid to faith, had become the object of faith, so now Jeremiah was compelled to speak slightingly of the appointed sacrifices and worship of the temple for the very same reason. Ver. 21: he mocks at their repeated sacrifices, and (Ver. 22) declares that at first God never desired or commanded any such things - only that they should obey his voice, He implies that they were afterwards given but as safeguards and helps to their obedience, which, without them, could not be secured. That obedience (Ver. 23) he emphasizes as the one thing needful - the only thing for which God cared, but which they had persistently and, what was worse (Ver. 26), increasingly refused. So that now (Ver. 27) they were fixed in their disobedience, and no words, however divinely authorized, however earnestly urged, would have effect, and there was nothing left but to declare (Ver. 28) their utterly abandoned character and condition. And the like conduct is seen still. Men still are ever attempting to evade the Divine rule of life. By reliance on sacraments, profession of religion, adherence to orthodox creeds, resting in feelings and periods of religious excitement when their emotional nature has been deeply stirred, - in almost anything rather than in that God faith in whom is shown only by obedience to his will. And the habit of this grows, and its results, as of old, become worse and worse, and all exhortation and warning fall on deaf ears and hardened hearts, and men still become as those who "obey not the voice," etc. Ever. 28). Let us remember that this is the subtle temptation of all ages, all Churches, and all people; and let us pray that God would write upon our hearts the sure truth that the one only evidence of our having so "named the name of Christ" as to be "in him" is our "departing from iniquity." - C.

I. ILLUSTRATIONS OF GOING BACKWARD IN REGARD TO RELIGION.

1. From Jewish history. Compare best days of Solomon, when temple was dedicated, with these when jeremiah preached at gate. National mind darkened, conscience enfeebled, heart hardened.

2. Churches. Galatia (Galatians 3:1-3; Galatians 5:7, 8), Ephesus (Revelation 2:4), Sardis (Revelation 3:1).

3. Individual life.(1) Brought up in Christian home; back into thoughtlessness, dissipation, infidelity.(2) Awakened by power of truth, and gained a place in household of faith; go backward and "make shipwreck of faith and a good conscience."(3) Trod noblest heights of Christian service; back to stagnation and ease.

II. CAUSES OF THIS GOING BACKWARD.

1. Negatively.(1) God never causes a human being to go backward from what is pure and good and true.(2) Nor must the charge be laid at the door of men or of Satan.

2. Positively.(1) The primary cause must be sought in man himself, his inclination to the things which are behind. Spiritual feebleness.(2) The secondary causes are temptations; the lusts, pleasures, and gains he desires to enjoy.(3) His weakness in yielding results from neglect of the means of strength, the Word of God, prayer, means of instruction and grace.

III. CONSEQUENCES OF GOING BACKWARD.

1. Displeasure of God.

2. Such as turn back are liable to sink into lowest depths of irreligion.

3. Experience of deepest remorse and reproach of conscience.Conclusion —

1. Stand fast in the Lord.

2. Despair not, but return.

(R. Ann.)