In Jeremiah 7:5-7, God plainly tells the people what He's expecting from them: "if you do not oppress the alien, the orphan, or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, nor walk after other gods to your own ruin."
In Jeremiah 7:8-11 He plainly tells the people what they are actually doing: "you are trusting in deceptive words to no avail. Will you steal, murder, and commit adultery and swear falsely, and offer sacrifices to Baal and walk after other gods that you have not known."
God speaks to us even today in plain language we can understand. I was studying the subject of marriage, divorce, and remarriage with a brother yesterday. God has made it plain. It all works together. He is not trying to make things difficult for us. Anyone can understand His word if they are willing to hear it. The problem is so many are not willing to listen.
I found it interesting God forbade Jeremiah to pray for the people in Jeremiah 7:16. God plainly told Jeremiah that He would not listen to requests on the people's behalf. 1 John 5 talks about praying for a brother who has a sin not leading to death - not to pray for a brother with a sin leading to death. I wonder if these two thoughts are linked?
Nathan