Jer 4:2 | TNotes | STEP | 4:2 As surely as the Lord lives: The correct attitude when offering a prayer of confession and making oaths reflects truth, justice, and righteousness . Truth means that the inner attitudes and thoughts of those praying match the words they utter. Justice means living by the laws of the Lord, who will judge the earth. Righteousness means that people relate to others in accordance with the Lord’s Spirit and the moral standards he has established. This kind of prayer requires a radical transformation of people’s inner lives and outer lifestyle (Gen 22:18 ; Deut 10:20 ; Ps 72:18 ; Isa 48:1 ; 1 Cor 1:31 ). If the Israelites returned to the Lord in this way, the people would be blessed, and their influence would flow out as a blessing to all the nations of the world . Their changed lives would cause people of the world to come and join in a chorus of praise to God’s name .

bGen 22:18►

cDeut 10:20►

dPs 72:18►

eIsa 48:1►

f1 Cor 1:31►

‏ Jeremiah 4:2

4:2 ^a As surely as the Lord lives: The correct attitude when offering a prayer of confession and making oaths reflects truth, justice, and righteousness. Truth means that the inner attitudes and thoughts of those praying match the words they utter. Justice means living by the laws of the Lord, who will judge the earth. Righteousness means that people relate to others in accordance with the Lord’s Spirit and the moral standards he has established. This kind of prayer requires a radical transformation of people’s inner lives and outer lifestyle (Gen 22:18 ^b; Deut 10:20 ^c; Ps 72:18 ^d; Isa 48:1 ^e; 1 Cor 1:31 ^f). If the Israelites returned to the Lord in this way, the people would be blessed, and their influence would flow out as a blessing to all the nations of the world. Their changed lives would cause people of the world to come and join in a chorus of praise to God’s name.