Font Size
Stubbornness is a defiant refusal to learn the established pattern for life. Even birds have enough wisdom to follow signs set for them. God’s people refuse to acknowledge his way for them (8:4-7). Stubbornness leads to the claim of wisdom; this wisdom does not promote the fear of Yahweh; therefore, it is false (vv.8-12; 10b-12 is also found in 6:13-15).
Stubbornness brings judgment because it is a sin against the Lord (8:13-17; see v.14). Jeremiah’s knowledge of the catastrophic effects of the coming judgment brings pain and agony within his soul (vv.18-21). Judah has brought upon herself the terrible pain of divine judgment because of her refusal to acknowledge Yahweh as her King (v.19). The proverbial statement in v.20 indicates the hopelessness of the people who have rejected all opportunities presented to them for their salvation.
The prophet’s anguish over the terribleness of the divine judgment on account of Judah’s sin reaches its climax in 8:22-9:1. Even though judgment is at hand, Jeremiah declares that God is the ever-present Healer in whom is an abundance of mercy for the healing of sin-sick souls. Yet he is also aware of the bondage of his people to the power of sin, which prevents them from coming to God for their healing. The outcome is their tragic destruction and death. “It is not because there is a deficiency of grace, nor of the means of grace, that men are not saved . . . but few are saved, because they WILL NOT come unto him [Jesus Christ] that they may have life” (Clarke, 280). Jeremiah can do only one thing: weep bitterly for the lost. His heart is not hardened though his people have rejected his call for repentance (see Mt 23:37).