What is the definition of Jeremiah 44:5?

But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense unto other gods.

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Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Jeremiah 44:5. It’s a really important part of understanding how God deals with sin and rebellion. Here’s what it means in simple terms:
The Basic Idea:
This verse is about 💎obedience💎 and 💎turning away💎 from something wrong. It’s telling us that people were deliberately choosing to do something terrible – burning incense to other gods – and they weren't listening to God’s message or trying to stop it.
Let’s unpack it piece by piece:
💎
“They hearkened not…”
: This means they 💎didn’t listen💎. They didn't pay attention to what God was telling them, or to the consequences of their actions. 💎
“…nor inclined their ear to turn from their wickedness…”
: This is key. “Wickedness” here refers to the act of worshipping other gods. "Inclined their ear" means they were actively 💎wanting💎 to continue doing it – they weren't willing to stop. 💎
"...to burn no incense unto other gods."
: This describes exactly what they were doing: They were burning incense, a common religious ritual, to other gods. Incense was often used to honor them and attract their attention.
So, the whole verse is saying:
These people were deliberately choosing to worship false gods – specifically, gods who weren't God himself. They were ignoring God’s warnings and actively choosing to do something that would be against his will.
Why is this important?
This verse is a reminder of how easily we can fall into temptation and choose the wrong path. It speaks to the importance of: 💎
Listening to God:
He gives us guidance, but it’s up to us to follow it. 💎
Standing firm against temptation:
It encourages us to resist evil and choose the good. 💎
Repentance:
It suggests a call for turning back from sin and seeking forgiveness.
In short, Jeremiah 44:5 is a warning about the dangers of ignoring God's voice and choosing to follow a path that leads away from his truth.
--- Do you want me to: 💎 Explain another verse? 💎 Discuss what this verse might mean in a specific context (like the story of the people in Jeremiah)?