Why does God reject offerings in Jeremiah 6:20? Literary Setting In Jeremiah Jeremiah 6 closes the prophet’s first major oracle (1:4 – 6:30). The passage rebukes Judah for covenant infidelity, idolatry, and social oppression. Verse 20 is the divine verdict: external worship cannot mask internal rebellion (cf. 5:23, 28). Historical And Cultural Backdrop 1. Incense from Sheba: Archaeological finds at Marib (modern Yemen) and trade-route inscriptions (e.g., Minaean tablets, 7th c. BC) document lucrative incense caravans to Jerusalem. 2. Sweet cane (qaneh tob): Botanists identify this with Cymbopogon species imported from India via Arabia (cf. Ezekiel 27:19). Such imports were costly luxury items, emphasizing Judah’s willingness to spend money on ritual while ignoring righteousness. The Core Issue: Heartless Ritualism 1. Covenant Stipulations: Deuteronomy 10:12-13 demanded love, fear, and obedience before ritual (cf. 1 Samuel 15:22). 2. Social Injustice: Jeremiah condemns theft, oppression, and bloodshed (6:6-7, 13). Isaiah, Amos, and Micah echo the same divine grievance (Isaiah 1:11-17; Amos 5:21-24; Micah 6:6-8). 3. Idolatry: Burning incense to Baal (Jeremiah 7:9; 11:12-13) made their simultaneous offering to Yahweh hypocritical. Theological Principle: Obedience Over Offering Psalm 51:16-17; Proverbs 21:3; and Hosea 6:6 articulate the enduring principle: God delights in loyal love (ḥesed) and justice more than ritual. Jesus cites Hosea 6:6 twice (Matthew 9:13; 12:7), affirming continuity. Divine Rejection Explained 1. Moral Contradiction: Offerings symbolize surrender; unrepentant sin voids the symbol (Proverbs 15:8). 2. Presumptive Manipulation: Judah treated sacrifice as a transactional shield against judgment (Jeremiah 7:4 — “the temple of the LORD”). 3. Judicial Hardness: Persistent rebellion (“they have made their faces harder than rock,” 5:3) triggered covenant curses (Deuteronomy 28). Christological Fulfillment The inadequacy of mere animal sacrifice anticipates the once-for-all atonement of Christ (Hebrews 10:4-10). Jeremiah’s indictment pushes readers toward the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34) where the law is written on the heart. Practical Application 1. Worship Integrity: Church liturgy, giving, and service must spring from regenerated hearts (John 4:24). 2. Social Ethics: Genuine piety includes justice for the vulnerable (James 1:27). 3. Self-examination: 1 Corinthians 11:28 commands believers to test motives before worship. Conclusion God rejects Judah’s offerings in Jeremiah 6:20 because ritual without repentance mocks His holiness. Acceptable worship demands contrite hearts, ethical obedience, and covenant loyalty—a truth that remains unchanged and is ultimately satisfied in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. |
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