God’s message of truth will, however, find its own way and momentum to reach and touch the heart of every person. For God is the Sovereign Lord of the universe, who uses various means to reach out to—and even admonish—His people. That is what happens in our reading today. 

God commanded the Prophet Jeremiah to once again proclaim His message to the people. Interestingly, God instructed him to stand at the gate of Jerusalem, specifically at the ‘gate of the common people’. Everyone passed through that gate. From the nobility right down to the common people. It was there that the Lord’s message had to be delivered. This time, the crux of the Lord’s message was a call to repent from the misinterpretation and misuse of the Sabbath. Imagine that the Sabbath, which God had emphasised so strongly as a form of reverence for Him, was instead being used to make a profit. They actually carried on trading when the Sabbath came. They were so afraid of losing momentum and their possessions that they dared to break His commandment. This reminds us of people in this day and age who are also undeterred in seeking profit by various means without the slightest regard for His existence. 

God therefore calls His people to return to Him, lest His judgement befall them. Thus, what we can do at this time is to evaluate and reflect on our daily lives. Is our life driven by a sense of fear and reverence for God, or is the pursuit of material wealth our sole guiding principle in this life? Indeed, God calls all His people to live in a true relationship and understanding with Him. Let us therefore direct our hearts wholly towards God.