Judah Rejects the Lord’s Way
This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’ I posted watchmen over you who said, ‘Listen for the sound of the alarm.’ But you replied, ‘No! We won’t pay attention!’
“Therefore, listen to this, all you nations. Take note of My people’s situation. Listen, all the earth! I will bring disaster on My people. It is the fruit of their own schemes, because they refuse to listen to Me. They have rejected My word. There’s no use offering Me sweet frankincense from Sheba. Keep you fragrant calamus imported from distant lands! I will not accept your burnt offerings. Your sacrifices have no pleasing aroma to Me.”
Therefore, this is what the Lord says:”I will put obstacles in My people’s path. Fathers and sons will both fall down over them. Neighbors and friends will die together.” (vv. 16-21, NLT)