Definition: For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 7:22. It’s a really important and somewhat challenging passage about how the people were behaving and God’s reaction to it. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: Jeremiah is saying that he (God) didn’t tell the Israelites, “Hey, you need to give these sacrifices and offerings.” He didn't issue any instructions or commands about how they should behave. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “I spake not unto your fathers…” : This means God spoke to them, but he didn't tell them what to do. He was speaking to the past - to the people before they were alive. “…nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt…” : This is key. The Israelites had just left Egypt (a very important and miraculous event for them). God told them to bring offerings as a way to show gratitude and keep their relationship with Him strong. This verse says He didn’t tell them to do this. “conburnt offerings or sacrifices:” : This is the core of the issue. The people were performing elaborate, huge, and often bizarre sacrifices – things that looked impressive but weren't really about showing love or gratitude. They were focused on impressing God, rather than actually worshipping Him. What’s the big takeaway? Jeremiah was incredibly frustrated. He felt like the people had lost their way and were becoming self-important and obsessed with rituals instead of focusing on what truly mattered – a relationship with God. It shows that sometimes, outward displays of devotion can be more important than genuine faith and connection. In essence, this verse is a warning about: Excessive ritualism: Going too far in religious practices without understanding or purpose. Focusing on appearances over substance: Being concerned with how things look instead of focusing on what’s truly important – God's love and relationship. Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail, or perhaps explore why it's significant in the context of the Old Testament? For example, we could discuss: The reasons for the people’s behavior as described in the text. The historical background – when did this happen?