Jeremiah 6:20

"Hear, earth! Behold, I will bring evil on this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not listened to my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it."

Key Reflection

In Jeremiah 6:20, God is addressing a people who have turned away from Him and His teachings. The original audience would have recognized this as a dire warning, given that their own history was filled with prophets like Isaiah and Hosea who similarly condemned the Israelites for their disobedience and idolatry. The imagery of "bringing evil" resonates with the historical context of foreign invasions and internal strife that plagued ancient Judah, making it clear that divine judgment would follow from rejecting God’s commands.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

The sweet cane -The same as the scented cane ofExodus 30:23(see the note). Your burnt offerings -The rejection of ritual observances is proclaimed by the two prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah, who chiefly assisted the two pious kings, Hezekiah and Josiah, in restoring the temple-service. God rejects not the ceremonial service, but the substitution of it for personal holiness and morality. Compare1 Samuel 15:22;Isaiah 1:11;Micah 6:6-8.

More from Jeremiah 6

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