This section (Jeremiah 5:20–31) is marked off from the previous section by the formal introduction Declare this in the house of Jacob; proclaim it in Judah.
The phrase house of Jacob
is another way of referring to Judah. The Lord speaks to Judah through his prophet Jeremiah, and he speaks as the creator and ruler of the universe.1
The people are called to hear this,
but they are a people who are foolish and senseless.
The word senseless
literally means they have no heart to them
where the word heart
refers to their capacity to think, feel and decide. These are a people who have no understanding, but it is a willful senselessness.2
They are a people who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not.
This is how Isaiah describes the people as well in Isaiah 6:9-10. It is also how idols are described in the Psalms (Psalm 115:5–7; Psalm 135:15–18). The people have become like the gods they have turned to in worship .3 They are a people who have persistently failed to hear the Lord when he speaks, and they have failed to see his power and glory in creation. There is both condemnation and desperation in these words. The people are condemned for being senseless
toward the Lord, for their failure to hear and see, but at the same time they are implored to once again hear.4
21 “Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not.