Do You Not See What They Are Doing?

"Do you not see what they are doing

in the towns of Judah

and in the streets of Jerusalem?

The children gather wood,

the fathers light the fire,

and the women knead the dough

and make cakes of bread for the Queen of Heaven.

They pour out drink offerings to other gods

to provoke Me to anger.

But am I the one they are provoking?

declares the Lord.

Are they not rather harming themselves,

to their own shame?

. . . when I brought your forefathers out of Egypt

and spoke to them,

I did not just give them commands

about burnt offerings and sacrifice,

but I gave them this command:

Obey Me, and I will be your God

and you will be My people.

Walk in all the ways I command you,

that it may go well with you.

But they did not listen or pay attention;

instead, they followed

the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts.

They went backward and not forward."

(Jeremiah 7:17-20,22-24)