Jeremiah uses a second metaphor to make the same point in a more direct manner. For spiritual renewal and restoration to take place Judah will have to circumcise
themselves to the Lord.
Physical circumcision was the external sign of the Lord s covenant with Israel (Genesis 17:10–14). But that outward sign was always meant to point to an inner reality. Jeremiah says that Judah needs to remove the foreskin of your hearts. The word heart is used sixty-five times in Jeremiah (leb fifty-eight times and lebab seven times). As throughout the Old Testament, Jeremiah uses the word heart to refer to a person
s inner life; their total and unconditional commitment to the Lord and a deep love for him.1 True repentance means a radical change of heart that brings about the removal of hardness and rebellion towards the Lord and is replaced with a deep love for him that is seen in commitment and obedience to him.
Ultimately, not even the Babylonian exile was enough to bring about this new life that Jeremiah is describing. In the end, only the new covenant of Jeremiah 31:31–34 will bring it about.2 The Lord himself will have to circumcise hard hearts and remove sin so that new life can take root and flourish.
4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD; remove the foreskin of your hearts, O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn with none to quench it, because of the evil of your deeds.”