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They Have No Shame Today’s Treasure: “Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush” (Jeremiah 6:15a). The first verses in the Book of Daniel tell us that the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah and some of the articles from the temple of God into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. We are told that King Nebuchadnezzar carried off these sacred articles and placed them in the treasure house of the temple of his god. Picture some of the sacred articles of the earthly “house” of God displayed in a pagan temple. Imagine the faces of the Jewish people as they helplessly watched the crude manhandling of holy vessels. Please hear the next statement with volume: Tragically, their own disrespect and misuse of the holy structure had unknowingly opened the doors of the temple to the enemy in the years preceding the siege. Since the reign of Solomon, a smattering of faithful kings served in intervals among many unfaithful rulers. One of God’s most serious charges against His people was the abuse of His temple. Jeremiah described the condition of God’s people just before Judah was taken captive by Babylon. “Both prophet and priest are godless; even in my temple I find their wickedness” (Jer. 23:11). We are rightly shocked when we learn that terribly inappropriate activities took place within the walls of sacred or revered institutions. Last year I had the privilege of visiting the White House and touring the Oval Office again. Of course, a gold cord was draped across the doorway so that we could view the room only from the hall. As my eyes scanned the regal room and settled on the stately desk, I was awestruck by the importance of what takes place within those walls. Then I remembered some of the allegations that have been issued in history against several individuals for misconduct in that very room. If you are familiar with my testimony, I think you know I’m not naïve. I have heinous sin in my past, but I would have been scared to death to exercise my sinfulness in certain places. Someone might retort, “A sin is a sin no matter where it takes place.” Indeed it is. But when leaders who know better flaunt sin in sacred places of divine trust, guilt heaps upon guilt. I stood in the hall outside the Oval Office, considered the trust Americans place in their heads of State, and thought, “How could anyone have so little respect?” Now switch the scene from the White House to the holy temple in Jerusalem that had first been sanctified and filled by the very glory of God. Jeremiah 6:13-15 says, “‘From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. “Peace, peace,” they say, when there is no peace. Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; they will be brought down when I punish them,’ says the LORD.” Imagine the offense that ascended before His throne as His own priests and prophets at the very least misled, deceived, and used the people for selfish gain. Beloved, let’s never grow so accustomed to decaying morals and standards of our culture that we “do not even know how to blush.” Things are happening around us that ought to make us blush. Things are broadcast from our television sets that ought to turn our faces crimson. Let’s not get used to it. Let’s allow it to have a godly affect on us. Lord, thank You for the warning in Your Word not to become comfortable with wickedness. If I have lost my ability to be shocked and to blush, please restore me. Allow me to feel embarrassed by the things I do and see that offend You. Let that embarrassment motivate me to change. I pray not to take advantage of the patience and mercy You’ve shown me so far. In the name of Jesus my Redeemer, Amen. Adapted from Daniel, by Beth Moore, pages 15-16. Nashville: LifeWay Press, 2006. Used by permission.
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