Charles Spurgeon Commentary Jeremiah 7:1-3

"The word that came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, saying, Stand in the gate of Jehovah`s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of Jehovah, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship Jehovah. Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place." — Jeremiah 7:1-3 (ASV)

Many of them thought that, if they went up to the temple, it was all right with them, if they merely went through the outward ritual, they would certainly be accepted. They must have been astonished when Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, met them at the temple door, and told them that the best worship of God was holiness, not the mere outward ceremony but the renewal of the life, the cleansing of the heart before him.