Judah’s response to the Lord’s word is not simply a neutral inability to hear. The Hebrew word translated as an object of scorn
is herpa and it literally means something offensive that is viewed as contemptable, worthless, and is treated accordingly.1 There is within Judah a very stubborn and active aversion to any message from the Lord that warns of judgment because of their unfaithfulness. One of the greatest privileges and blessings that Israel had as a nation was the fact that they were recipients the Lord’s word (Deuteronomy 4:7–14), but now they take no pleasure in it.
10 To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear? Behold, their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen; behold, the word of the LORD is to them an object of scorn; they take no pleasure in it.