When we think of the Old Testament, we sometimes think of God as a consuming fire who threatens to devour any who disobey him. And you know what. God is and does do that. And yet: God never takes pleasure in harming anyone—even wicked people.
Do not take my word for it. Here is what God says, “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?” (Ezek 33:11).
So granting that God does not take pleasure in inflicting death upon wicked people, we should not be surprised that God gives all sorts of motivations for obedience. This might surprise us, but it should not. God is good, and he wants to share his goodness, his life with everyone. Here are three ways God motivates us to obey him in Jeremiah 7.