6:1The LORD warned Jeremiah’s own tribe of Benjamin to flee, not to the security of the great walled city of Jerusalem because it would be under siege, but toward Tekoa, a town about 12 miles south of Jerusalem. The warning smoke signal was lit at Beth-hakkerem, halfway between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
Life Application Study BibleJeremiahChapter 6
Jeremiah 6
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1212, 1213, 1214, 1215
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
6Jeremiah 6
1coming with disaster and destruction.
2OJerusalem,* you are my beautiful and delicate daughter—but I will destroy you!
3Enemies will surround you, like shepherds camped around the city.Each chooses a place for his troops to devour.
4They shout, ‘Prepare for battle!Attack at noon!’‘No, it’s too late; the day is fading,and the evening shadows are falling.’
5‘Well then, let’s attack at nightand destroy her palaces!”
6This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies says:“Cut down the trees for battering rams.Build siege ramps against the walls of Jerusalem.This is the city to be punished,for she is wicked through and through.
7She spouts evil like a fountain.Her streets echo with the sounds of violence and destruction.I always see her sickness and sores.8 Listen to this warning, Jerusalem,or I will turn from you in disgust.Listen, or I will turn you into a heap of ruins,a land where no one lives.”
8This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies says: “Even the few who remain in Israel will be picked over again, as when a harvester checks each vine a second time to pick the grapes that were missed.” israel’s Constant Rebellion
10To whom can I give warning?Who will listen when I speak?Their ears are closed,and they cannot hear.They scorn the word of the LORD.They don’t want to listen at all.
11So now! am filled with the LORD’s fury.Yes, lam tired of holding it in!“T will pour out my fury on children playing in the streetsand on gatherings of young men,on husbands and wivesand on those who are old and gray.
12Their homes will be turned over to their enemies,as will their fields and their wives.For I will raise my powerful fistagainst the people of this land,”says the LORD.
13“From the least to the greatest,their lives are ruled by greed.From prophets to priests,they are all frauds.
14They offer superficial treatmentsfor my people’s mortal wound.
They give assurances of peace when there is no peace. 15Are they ashamed of their disgusting actions? Not at all—they don’t even know how to blush! Therefore, they will lie among the slaughtered. They will be brought down when I punish them,” says the LORD.
Israel Rejects the Lonp’s Way
1616 This is what the LORD says:“Stop at the crossroads and look around.Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it.Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’
17I posted watchmen over you who said,‘Listen for the sound of the alarm.’But you replied,‘No! We won't pay attention!’
18“Therefore, listen to this, all you nations.Take note of my people’s situation.
19Listen, all the earth!I will bring disaster on my people.It is the fruit of their own schemes,because they refuse to listen to me.They have rejected my word.
20There’s no use offering me sweet frankincense from Sheba.Keep your fragrant calamus imported from distant lands!I will not accept your burnt offerings.Your sacrifices have no pleasing aroma for me.”
21Therefore, this is what the LORD says:“T will put obstacles in my people’s path.Fathers and sons will both fail over them.Neighbors and friends will die together.”
An Invasion from the North
2222 This is what the LORD says:“Look! A great army coming from the north!A great nation is rising against you from far-off lands.
23They are armed with bows and spears.They are cruel and show no mercy.They sound like a roaring seaas they ride forward on horses.They are coming in battle formation,planning to destroy you, beautiful Jerusalem.*”
24We have heard reports about the enemy,and we wring our hands in fright.Pangs of anguish have gripped us,like those of a woman in labor.
25Don’t go out to the fields!Don’t travel on the roads!The enemy's sword is everywhereand terrorizes us at every turn!
26Oh, my people, dress yourselves in burlapand sit among the ashes.Mourn and weep bitterly, as for the loss of an only son.For suddenly the destroying armies will be upon you!
27“Jeremiah, I have made you a tester of metals,*that you may determine the quality of my people.
28They are the worst kind of rebel,full of slander.They are as hard as bronze and iron,and they lead others into corruption.
29The bellows fiercely fan the flamesto burn out the corruption.But it does not purify them,for the wickedness remains.
30J will label them ‘Rejected Silver,’for I, the LORD, am discarding them.”
Textual footnotes
- 6:2 Hebrew Daughter of Zion.
- 6:23 Hebrew daughter of Zion.
Life Application Notes 5 notes
6:3The shepherds were the leaders of Babylon's armies.
6:9The “few who remain in Israel” is not to be confused with the righteous remnant. This remnant refers to those left after the first wave of destruction. Like a grape gatherer, Babylon wouldn't be satisfied until every person was taken. Babylonians invaded Judah three times until they destroyed the nation and its Temple completely (2 Kings 24-25).
6:10The people became angry and closed their ears. They wanted no part of God’s commands because living for God did not appear very exciting. As in Jeremiah’s day, people today dislike God’s demand for disciplined living. As unsettling as People’s responses might be, we must continue to share God’s or potential dangers forces us to examine our sense of ultimate security. Whether the outlook is bleak or hopeful, do we actually trust in God? Or does our trust last only as long as the threat seems distant?
6:29,30Metal is purified by fire. As it is heated, impurities are burned away and only the pure metal remains. As God tested the people of Judah, however, he could find no purity in their lives. They continued in their sinful ways. Do you see impurities in your life that should be burned away? Confess these to God and allow him to purify you as he sees fit. Take time right now to reflect on the areas of your life that he has already refined; then thank him for what he is doing.
Charts, profiles & sidebars from the printed pages
Study feature · page 1213
Word. Our responsibility is to present God’s Word; their responsibility is to accept it. We must not let what people want to hear determine what we say. 6:14 “ignore it and maybe it will go away!” Sound familiar? This was Israel’s response to Jeremiah’s warnings. They kept listening to predictions of peace because they did not like Jeremiah’s condemnation of their sin. But denying the truth never changes it; what God says always happens. Sin is never removed by denying its existence. We must confess to God that we have sinned and ask him to forgive us.
Study feature · page 1214
A —————————————EEeEEEEEE~E 6:16 The right path for living is “the old, godly way” and has 6:20 Sheba, located in southwest Arabia, was a center of trade been marked out by God. But the people refused to take God's in incense and spices used in pagan religious rituals. path, going their own way instead. We face the same decision 6:25 Ominous travel warnings, increased threat levels, and tight today—going God's old but true way, or following a new path security were as much a part of life in ancient Israel as they are of our own choosing. Don’t be misled. The only way to find peace _in the world today. Terrorism, in one form or another, has been and “rest for your souls” is to walk on God’s path. a tactic throughout history. The question raised about such real