Jeremiah 22:15-17

We need to remember that the simplicity of the Gospel allows anyone who sincerely seeks  to know God success....all people, especially the poor and needy, are His and when we hurt them we are hurting Him. To know God is to know them.

God blesses the works of our hands only if they are gotten through just means but ill gotten gain brings spiritual death to those who acquire it.

Israel perished because of its lack of knowledge of God. Knowledge of God here is related to concern for the poor and needy.

Jehoiakim did not follow in the footsteps of Josiah. covetousness … shedding innocent blood … practicing oppression and violence: This triad of sins characterizing the reign of Jehoiakim would hammer home a resounding message to Judah concerning the collapse of its kingship. Covenant violations would not go unpunished.

Jeremiah 22:15-17

¹⁵ “Shall you reign because you enclose yourself in cedar? 

Did not your father eat and drink, 

And do justice and righteousness? 

Then it was well with him. 

¹⁶ He judged the cause of the poor and needy; 

Then it was well. 

Was not this knowing Me?” says the Lord. 

¹⁷ “Yet your eyes and your heart are for nothing but your covetousness, 

For shedding innocent blood, 

And practicing oppression and violence.”