Jeremiah 6b: Thus says the Lord.

Jeremiah 6:16-21.  

Thus says the LORD:

Stand at the crossroads and look,   

and ask for the ancient paths,

where the good way lies; 

and walk in it, 

and find rest for your souls.

But they said, 

“We will not walk in it.”

Also, I raised up sentinels for you:   

 “Give heed to the sound of the trumpet!”

But they said, 

“We will not give heed.”

Therefore hear, O nations,   

and know, O congregation,

what will happen to them.

Hear, O earth;

I am going to bring disaster on this people,   

the fruit of their schemes,

because they have not given heed to my words,   

and as for my teaching,

they have rejected it.

Of what use to me is frankincense that comes from Sheba   

or sweet cane from a distant land?

Your burnt offerings are not acceptable,   

nor are your sacrifices pleasing to me.

Therefore, thus says the LORD:

See, I am laying before this people   

stumbling blocks against which they shall stumble;

parents and children together,   

neighbor and friend shall perish.

 God offers his perspective on different ways that the people of Judah might respond to his prophecy of destruction at the hands of a foreign army. The first way is to realize that they are at a crossroads, so it might help to look back on some historical lessons about what divine morality and godly behavior actually look like. But no sooner does God suggest that they consider finding the proven ways to walk in a godly manner than Judah says, “Nope. We will not walk in those ways.” So much for tradition.

 God also notes that he has established watchmen along the way to warn them of danger. Probably God is talking about the prophets who, like Jeremiah, warn people when their behavior has deviated in serious ways from what God requires. “Listen to the trumpet sound of warning,” God says. But, the people say, “Nope. We will not pay attention to the alarms that are going off. Alarms seem to go off all the time, and nothing has happened...yet.” So much for the word of God as preached by true prophets.

 Then comes the first “Therefore.” God says, “Therefore, listen, my people and let the surrounding nations be witnesses. I am going to bring disaster on this people because they reject my teaching and will not listen to my word. Never mind that they continue with their carefully planned worship services which might impress visitors with their noise and theatrics, but they mean nothing to me.”

 Then comes the second “Therefore.” “Therefore, if you walk away from me with your head held high, then in your arrogance and sense of self-sufficiency, you will trip over the stumbling block that I have placed in your path.” What stumbling block?

Jeremiah 6: 22-26.   

Thus says the LORD:

See, a people is coming from the land of the north;   

a great nation is stirring from the farthest parts of the earth.

They grasp the bow and the javelin;   

they are cruel and have no mercy;   

their sound is like the roaring sea;

they ride on horses,   

equipped like a warrior for battle,   

against you, O daughter Zion!

“We have heard news of them;   

our hands fall helpless;

anguish has taken hold of us,   

pain as of a woman in labor.

Do not go out into the field   

or walk on the road,

for the enemy has a sword;   

terror is on every side.”

O daughter of my people,

put on sackcloth   

and roll in ashes;

make mourning as for an only child,   

most bitter lamentation,

for suddenly the destroyer   

will come upon us.

 Once again God describes the horror that is coming in terms that the people can understand. Remember that the terrain is such in Israel and Jerusalem that any enemy, would be coming from the north, except Egypt who comes from the south. No one comes directly from the east. Assyria and Babylon were situated to the northeast and east. However, no one marches across a desert and over mountains to get to Judah. Instead, the Babylonian army would march north, turn west toward the Mediterranean, and then turn south to get to Israel and Judah. 

 They will come from the north, and they will swarm the area like bees. They bring weapons and horses that will make it dangerous for anyone to walk on the roads or even through the countryside. Judah might as well begin to lament and mourn now to be ready for the disaster to come. 

 Then God speaks directly to Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 6: 27-30.  

I have made you a tester (examiner) and a refiner (fortress) among my people   

so that you may know and test their ways.

They are all stubbornly rebellious,   

going about with slanders;

they are bronze and iron;   

all of them act corruptly.

The bellows blow fiercely;  

the lead is consumed by the fire;

in vain the refining goes on,   

for the wicked are not removed.

They are called “rejected silver,”   

for the LORD has rejected them.

 The prophet is a critic of society. Like a social scientist, perhaps even an anthropologist, he observes people’s behavior and listens to their ideology to see how they measure up. What is godly behavior and what is self-destructive?

The next phrase could be taken as Jeremiah’s report after the research project. The results of his observations and questioning are this: "They are all stubbornly rebellious, going about with slanders; they are bronze and iron; all of them act corruptly.” Jeremiah affirms God's judgment and adds that the people are stuck in their wicked ways. They conduct their business with slanders and lies. They are hard-headed, as stubborn as bronze and iron. Jeremiah has tested every generation. This applies to all of them, not just some who are corrupt.

 God responds to Jeremiah that he works the bellows to fan the fire and the forge becomes so hot that lead melts. God hope that this drives them to repent of their sins, but the effort seems futile. God’s conclusion about Israel and Judah is this: “They are called “rejected silver,” for the LORD has rejected them.” So much for the chosen people.

 It seems like there is always grace; and God certainly is patient. However, the end has to come sometime, doesn't it? How near is it?