Lenten Readings -- Jeremiah 6

Introduction to Jeremiah
Jeremiah 1
Jeremiah 2 
Jeremiah 3
Jeremiah 4
Jeremiah 5
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1. The warning of impending invasion heightens in Jeremiah 6. We wonder if this dates from the last decade of Josiah's reign or later as the specter of Babylon became more and more real. The doom of Assyria seemed more and more sure. Yahweh shows to Jeremiah the writing on the wall -- Babylon is coming.

"Blow the trumpet in Tekoa." Babylon is coming. A seige ramp will soon enough be set against the walls of Jerusalem (6:6). "Take warning, Jerusalem" (6:8). You're in danger of becoming an uninhabited land.

2. There is such irony. The people are saying, "Peace, peace." But there will be no peace (6:14). Again, we see the fundamental pattern of Jeremiah's prophecies. Judah thinks it's going to be ok. Some think that because they are going through the motions of Yahwistic religion -- they have the Ark; they have the temple -- everything will be fine. Meanwhile, the people are godless and even serve other gods. In response, Jeremiah preaches that judgment is coming from the north.

They love offering sacrifices (6:20). But as several of the prophets had already said by this time -- God really doesn't care about your stinkin' sacrifices. "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you will not despise, O God" Ps. 51:16-17).

There is a slight glimmer of hope -- "Take warning Jerusalem or I will turn from you" (6:8). But the chapter more or less assumes it isn't going to happen. Again, there is no mention of Josiah's reforms in Jeremiah. Perhaps Jeremiah did not see them as true-hearted, at least by those who implemented them. "From prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely" (6:13).

3. Nevertheless, Jeremiah keeps prophesying, doomed to be ignored. "To whom should I speak and give warning so that they would hear?" (6:10). 

The image of being taken, used in Matthew 24:40-41 and Luke 17:34-35, perhaps originates here. It is not of being taken to a good place but of your house being given to the invader while you are dragged away by force (6:11-12).

Jeremiah calls the people back to the ancient paths (6:16), but the people don't want to walk in them. I imagine he means the stories of the exodus and of Israel making its way to the Promised Land.

The destroyer is coming (6:26). Judah needs to put on sackcloth and ashes. But the people are stubborn and rebellious (6:28). From the least to the greatest, they pursue unjust gain (6:13). They thus harm each other, those who should be their brothers and sisters.