Shouting at the gates

Jeremiah 17:19-27 - This is what the LORD said to me: "Go and stand at the gate of the people, through which the kings of Judah go in and out; stand also at all the other gates of Jerusalem. Say to them, 'Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah and all people of Judah and everyone living in Jerusalem who come through these gates. This is what the LORD says: Be careful not to carry a load on the Sabbath day or bring it through the gates of Jerusalem. Do not bring a load out of your houses or do any work on the Sabbath, but keep the Sabbath day holy, as I commanded your forefathers. Yet they did not listen or pay attention; they were stiff-necked and would not listen or respond to discipline. But if you are careful to obey me, declares the LORD, and bring no load through the gates of this city on the Sabbath, but keep the Sabbath day holy by not doing any work on it, then kings who sit on David's throne will come through the gates of this city with their officials. They and their officials will come riding in chariots and on horses, accompanied by the men of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, and this city will be inhabited forever. People will come from the towns of Judah and the villages around Jerusalem, from the territory of Benjamin and the western foothills, from the hill country and the Negev, bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings, incense and thank offerings to the house of the LORD. But if you do not obey me to keep the Sabbath day holy by not carrying any load as you come through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle an unquenchable fire in the gates of Jerusalem that will consume her fortresses.' "

It must have been business as usual every Saturday -- the Sabbath. Why else would Jeremiah have to repeat these words not just at one but at every city gate -- and there were many -- of Jerusalem. I can imagine that this was one of the first commandments that went by the wayside after idolatry set in. It was all about the almighty shekel. I imagine that at first just a few less religious businessmen kept their shops open on the Sabbath. Then when outside traders heard about them -- which probably took all of 2 or 3 days -- they came in through the gates to make a killing on Saturday too. It wouldn't have been long -- maybe a few months to a couple of years -- before nearly everyone was doing it just to keep up with the competition, stay in the black, or even gain that slight edge on the guy across town.

"Hey, Hassan, did you hear Shekaniah's date shop is open on Sabbath now?"

"Yeah, and so is Josh's leather goods. I'm gonna check it out this weekend. I hear he's got some sweet deals on belts. Mine's about shot. What about you? You busy this Sabbath?"

"Not too. Me and Martha were maybe gonna take the kids down to the river to pray for a while, but then I might play around with the scales a bit myself...see if it would make sense to keep the mill open on weekends too."

"Not you too, Abe! I never thought I'd hear something like that come from your lips!"

"Yeah, well...we got to move these kittels and ephods. We got to move these colorful fleeeeece."

I wonder if Jeremiah could even be heard above the din that there must have been at each gate.

When was the last time you had something more important to do on Sunday morning than to worship God for just 1 hour? You've got the whole rest of the day to go shopping. After all, almost every store is open 8 days a week.