Jeremiah 6:1-30

6:3-5 | The shepherds and flocks that camp around Jerusalem sound pastoral but they represent military forces laying siege to the city.

6:10 | Here the picture of an uncircumcised ear mocks the distinctive mark of Jewish heritage by mentioning it in relation with an unwillingness to hear.

6:14-15 | Hurts that are healed slightly are not healed; the announcement of peace means nothing when there is no peace (Ezek. 13:10). Lack of healthy shame was frequently an indicator of impending judgment.

6:17 | The prophets were like watchmen who stood on the city walls and announced the approach of an enemy army (2 Sam. 18:24-27; Ezek. 3:16-21; 33:1-9), but the people did not pay attention to their warnings.

6:19 | The preceding verses note the ways God had urged faithfulness only to be met by willful rejection on the part of people for whom He had repeatedly done great wonders. They knew their responsibility before God, but they refused it.

6:27-30 | From time to time, Jeremiah’s records of Thus says the LORD include instances when God refined His prophet’s role. Here God designated him an assayer, someone who determines the purity and value of metals, and a smelter who had not yet drawn off the people’s impurities.