Judah’s Persistent Idolatry
“Pray no more for these people, Jeremiah. Do not weep or pray for them, and don’t beg Me to help them, for I will not listen to you. Don’t you see what they are doing throughout all the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? No wonder I am so angry! Watch how the children gather wood and the fathers build sacrificial fires. See how women kneed dough and make cakes to offer to the Queen of Heaven? An they pour out liquid offerings to their idol gods! Am I the one they are hurting”: says the Lord. “Most of all, they hurt them selves to their own shame.” (vv. 16-19, NLT)