Jeremiah has already condemned the false sense of confidence Judah had in the mere presence of the ark of the covenant (Jeremiah 3:16), the temple (Jeremiah 7:4), and the Book of the Law (Jeremiah 8:8). Now he exposes the same confidence Judah had in external circumcision.1 The external sign of the covenant meant nothing in the face of Judah’s stubborn rejection of the terms of the covenant. Physical circumcision could never make up for the lack of steadfast love, justice, and righteousness (Jeremiah 9:23–24) that should have marked them out as the Lord’s covenant people. The oracles in Jeremiah 9:23–26 make it clear that neither false wisdom, might, riches, nor circumcision will save Judah from the Lord’s judgment.2
24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.”