Jeremiah 7:4

Trust ye not. Evidently the false prophets maintained that God would never allow the Temple, His dwelling place, to fall into profane hands; that the presence of that Temple in Jerusalem would serve as a kind of charm to protect the city and its inhabitants (see on Micah 3:11). Similarly today many church members trust in external church connections for salvation. They are more ready for outward religious activities than for the inner preparation of the heart.

Temple of the Lord. This phrase, repeated three times, expressed the pride that the people felt in the greatness of the religious institution represented by the Temple. It was a kind of superstitious attachment.

These. The Temple buildings were among the most beautiful structures ever reared. We may imagine the prophet pointing to these buildings as he repeated these words (see Matt. 24:1). But impressive edifices are a poor substitute for genuine heart devotion. Ritual and ceremony of themselves cannot atone for sin. Increase of facilities and numbers should be accompanied by a corresponding increase in fervent piety.