What is the meaning of Jeremiah 44:5? But they did not listen • God had repeatedly spoken through Jeremiah, yet the people “turned a stubborn shoulder” (Jeremiah 19:15; cf. Jeremiah 7:13–14, 25:4, 2 Chronicles 36:15–16). • Listening in Scripture always implies obedience; ignoring His voice reveals a hard heart. • The same contrast appears in John 10:27 where Jesus says, “My sheep listen to My voice,” showing that true relationship with God is marked by responsive hearing. • Refusing to listen cut the nation off from the divine protection promised in Exodus 19:5–6. or incline their ears • “Incline” pictures a deliberate leaning in (Jeremiah 17:23). They would not so much as tilt an ear toward the Lord. • Zechariah 7:11 describes the same attitude: “They turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped their ears from hearing.” • Stephen accuses the Sanhedrin of this exact posture in Acts 7:57, illustrating that the problem persisted into New Testament times. • Willful deafness to God is never neutral; it hardens the conscience and invites judgment (Hebrews 3:12–13). they did not turn from their wickedness • God’s call was not merely to hear but to repent (Jeremiah 18:11; 26:3). • “Turning” captures the Hebrew idea of an about-face; 2 Chronicles 7:14 links this turning to healing of the land. • Ezekiel 18:30–32 underscores that repentance is the avenue to life: “Repent and turn from all your transgressions… Why should you die?”. • Their refusal showed they loved darkness more than light (John 3:19). or stop burning incense to other gods • Idolatry was the outward symptom of inward rebellion (Jeremiah 11:12–13; 19:4). • The first commandment—“You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3-5)—had been brazenly violated. • Paul warns believers to “flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14), proving the timeless relevance of this issue. • Isaiah 42:8 reminds us God will not share His glory; persistent incense to false gods demands divine action. summary Jeremiah 44:5 exposes a fourfold refusal—no listening, no leaning in, no turning, and no abandoning idols. Each step reveals escalating hardness, moving the people farther from God’s mercy and nearer to judgment. The verse stands as a sober reminder that genuine hearing of God’s Word must lead to repentance and exclusive worship, lest hearts grow deaf and disaster follow. |
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