Warning Without Repentance: The Heart That Refuses to Return

Be God's Glory
Aug 13
11 min read

Welcome to Day 225 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Jeremiah. In Jeremiah 6–8, God delivers a sobering warning to Judah about the destruction that is soon to come because of their hardened hearts and refusal to repent. Through vivid imagery, Jeremiah exposes the corruption of leaders, the deceitfulness of false prophets, and the moral decay of the people. God calls for genuine repentance, but the people persist in their rebellion, trusting in empty rituals rather than sincere obedience. The Lord likens their spiritual state to that of a people beyond healing—wounds are superficially treated, truth is rejected, and wisdom is abandoned. Despite repeated warnings, they choose to remain in sin, and God declares that judgment is inevitable. These chapters reveal that God’s patience has limits when His people continually resist His Word, replacing it with lies, self-deception, and stubborn pride.

Jeremiah 6

Jeremiah 6 begins with a warning to the people of Benjamin to flee from Jerusalem, for destruction from the north is imminent. God describes the attackers as relentless warriors who will surround and besiege the city. The leaders and people of Judah are exposed as greedy and corrupt, and the prophets and priests alike deal falsely, speaking peace where there is no peace. God calls His people to seek the “ancient paths” where the good way lies, but they refuse, rejecting both His Word and His watchmen. The chapter ends with the Lord declaring that His people are like impure silver that cannot be refined—they will be rejected because they have persistently ignored His correction. This chapter shows that when God’s people reject His direction, their destruction is certain.

Jeremiah 7

In Jeremiah 7, the Lord sends Jeremiah to the gate of the temple to confront the people who come to worship. He warns them that temple rituals mean nothing without true obedience, justice, and righteousness. Judah is reminded of Shiloh, the former dwelling place of God’s name, which was destroyed due to Israel’s sin, as a warning that the temple in Jerusalem will face the same fate. The people are condemned for trusting in the false security of the temple while committing idolatry, oppression, and violence. God rejects their sacrifices because their hearts remain far from Him and tells Jeremiah not to even pray for them, for judgment is set. This chapter emphasizes that God desires sincere obedience over religious formality.

Jeremiah 8

Jeremiah 8 portrays the tragic stubbornness of Judah in the face of God’s warnings. The chapter begins with the grim image of the bones of kings, priests, prophets, and people being brought out of their graves and scattered—symbolizing shame and total defeat. The people are compared to animals that know their appointed seasons, yet they do not recognize the time of their judgment. The leaders have rejected the Word of the Lord, claiming wisdom but possessing none, and the prophets and priests deceive the people with false assurances of peace. Because they refuse to repent, their wounds remain unhealed, and God declares that they will fall and perish in the coming invasion. The chapter closes with Jeremiah’s deep lament over the spiritual and physical ruin of his people, highlighting the grief of a prophet whose warnings go unheeded.

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The name Jeremiah comes from the Hebrew Yirmĕyāhû or Yirmĕyāh, meaning “Yahweh will exalt,” “Yahweh appoints,” or “The Lord establishes.” This meaning reflects Jeremiah’s prophetic calling, as God appointed him before his birth to be “a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). The name itself is a prophetic statement of God’s sovereignty and purpose in raising up His messengers.

Purpose of the Book:

The Book of Jeremiah serves as both a record of God’s judgment and His invitation to repentance. Written during a time of national decline in Judah (late 7th to early 6th century B.C.), its purpose is to:

Warn Judah of the coming Babylonian invasion as a consequence of their covenant unfaithfulness.
Call the people to repentance, offering them the hope of restoration if they return to God.
Explain the fall of Jerusalem and the exile as part of God’s sovereign plan.
Provide hope for the future, pointing toward a new covenant where God’s law would be written on the hearts of His people (Jeremiah 31:31–34).

It is both a book of judgment and a book of hope—showing God’s justice in punishing sin and His mercy in promising restoration.

Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:

The prophet Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, is credited as the author of the book, with assistance from his scribe Baruch son of Neriah.

Biblical evidence for Jeremiah as the author includes:

Jeremiah 1:1–2 – Clearly identifies Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, as the prophet who received the words of the Lord.
Jeremiah 36:1–4 – God commands Jeremiah to dictate His words to Baruch, who writes them down on a scroll.
Jeremiah 36:32 – After King Jehoiakim burns the first scroll, Jeremiah dictates the same words again to Baruch, along with additional messages.
2 Chronicles 35:25 – Mentions Jeremiah writing laments for King Josiah.
Daniel 9:2 – Refers to “the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet” as authoritative Scripture, confirming early recognition of his writings.

External historical sources also support Jeremiah’s authorship:

The Babylonian Talmud (Baba Bathra 14b–15a) lists Jeremiah as the author of his prophetic book, the Book of Kings, and Lamentations.
Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 10, Chapter 5) records Jeremiah as the prophet who warned of Jerusalem’s fall and wrote about it.
Ancient Septuagint manuscripts (Greek translation of the Old Testament, 3rd–2nd century B.C.) attribute the prophecies to Jeremiah, though in slightly different order than the Hebrew text.

Key People:

Jeremiah – The “weeping prophet,” called by God to warn Judah of coming judgment and to urge repentance.
Baruch son of Neriah – Jeremiah’s faithful scribe who recorded and preserved his messages.
King Josiah – The last godly king of Judah, under whom Jeremiah began his ministry.
King Jehoiakim – Rejected Jeremiah’s warnings and burned his prophetic scroll.
King Zedekiah – The last king of Judah before the Babylonian exile; vacillated between listening to Jeremiah and fearing his officials.
Nebuchadnezzar – King of Babylon who conquered Jerusalem and carried the people into exile.
Ebed-Melek – An Ethiopian court official who rescued Jeremiah from a cistern.
False prophets like Hananiah – Opposed Jeremiah’s message, promising peace when judgment was coming.

Conclusion

The Book of Jeremiah ends with the tragic reality of Jerusalem’s destruction and Judah’s exile to Babylon (chapters 39–52), fulfilling the very warnings Jeremiah proclaimed for decades. Yet, it is not a message of despair—it also points forward to God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises. The prophecies of a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34) and future restoration reveal God’s ultimate plan to redeem His people. Jeremiah’s ministry demonstrates that God’s word is unchanging, His justice is certain, and His mercy is always available to those who return to Him with a sincere heart. Even in judgment, God is working for the good of His people and the fulfillment of His redemptive purposes.

What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

Jeremiah 6

In Jeremiah 6, God reveals Himself as both a righteous Judge and a loving Father who longs to guide His people back to the “ancient paths” of truth. He is patient and merciful, sending prophets and watchmen to warn the nation, yet He is also just and cannot overlook persistent rebellion. His holiness demands that sin be addressed, and His justice ensures that those who refuse correction will face the consequences. God’s grief over Judah’s stubbornness shows that His heart is deeply invested in the well-being of His people, but He will not allow them to trample His Word without response.

No specific Hebrew names of God are mentioned in Jeremiah 6. However, His character reflects Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God, who remains faithful even when His people are unfaithful. The lesson He teaches here is that true security and peace are found only in obedience to His Word, not in rejecting His ways. God calls His people to return to the good and ancient paths, but their refusal shows that ignoring His direction leads only to destruction.

Jeremiah 7

In Jeremiah 7, God reveals Himself as El Elyon (God Most High), the supreme ruler who cannot be manipulated by religious rituals. He is sovereign over His house, His people, and the nations, and He will remove His presence from the temple just as He did in Shiloh if His people persist in sin. His character is marked by truth and holiness, making it impossible for Him to accept worship from those whose lives contradict His commands. God shows that He values sincerity of heart and justice over outward appearances.

The name Yahweh appears throughout this chapter, emphasizing God’s covenant relationship with His people. Yet, as Yahweh, He demands covenant faithfulness—not empty sacrifices. The lesson is clear: God’s presence and blessing cannot be presumed upon; they are tied to obedience and righteousness. He teaches that He desires a transformed life over ritualistic worship and that unrepentant hearts will forfeit His protection.

Jeremiah 8

In Jeremiah 8, God reveals Himself as the all-knowing and righteous Judge who sees the depths of human stubbornness. His patience is evident in His repeated calls for repentance, but His justice is unshakable in declaring the consequences of rejecting truth. God’s grief over the spiritual decay of His people shows His compassion, yet His holiness means He will not allow deceit and sin to go unpunished. He is the God of truth, and when truth is abandoned, His people lose the very wisdom and healing they need.

There are no specific Hebrew names of God mentioned in Jeremiah 8. The lesson He teaches is that rejecting His Word leads to spiritual blindness and inevitable downfall. Even in judgment, His heart mourns for His people’s ruin, showing that His desire is always for repentance and restoration, but He will not override the free will of those who refuse to return to Him.

Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

Questions:

Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?

How does Jeremiah 6 show God’s balance between patience and justice?
In what ways does Jeremiah 7 reveal that God values obedience over religious rituals?
How do God’s warnings in Jeremiah 8 display both His compassion and His holiness?
What does God’s persistence in sending prophets tell us about His desire for reconciliation with His people?
How do these chapters show that God cannot be deceived by outward appearances?
What do these passages teach us about God’s covenant faithfulness, even when His people are unfaithful?
How does God’s grief over Judah’s sin help us understand His heart toward our own disobedience today?

Questions About Themes:

What does “seeking the ancient paths” in Jeremiah 6 symbolize in the believer’s walk with God?
How does Jeremiah 7 challenge the false security that comes from religious traditions?
What role do false prophets play in the downfall of God’s people in these chapters?
How do these passages illustrate that rejecting God’s Word leads to spiritual blindness?
What is the connection between justice, truth, and God’s presence as seen in Jeremiah 6–8?
How is the theme of judgment balanced with God’s call to repentance throughout these chapters?
What lessons can be learned from God comparing His people’s stubbornness to animals that still know their seasons in Jeremiah 8?

Reflective Application Questions:

What “ancient paths” of obedience and truth might God be calling you back to in your own life?
In what ways might you be tempted to rely on religious habits instead of a sincere relationship with God?
How can you discern and guard against false teachings in today’s world, as warned in Jeremiah 6–8?
What does it look like for you to live in a way that truly reflects God’s covenant relationship with His people?
How have you seen God’s patience toward you, and how should that impact your obedience to Him?
In times of warning from God, how do you typically respond—resistance, indifference, or repentance?
What practical steps can you take this week to align your life more closely with God’s truth?

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans