Jeremiah 8:12
Are they ashamed of the abomination they have committed? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they will collapse, says the LORD.
Are they ashamed of the abomination they have committed?

Judah’s idolatry and injustice violated the covenant they had pledged to keep. The people continued in practices detestable to the LORD while trusting that the presence of the temple would protect them from judgment. Prophetic warnings exposed not merely isolated failures but a settled rebellion against God.

Ezk 20:43 There you will remember your ways and all the deeds…
Ezk 36:31 Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds,…

No, they have no shame at all;

Moral restraint had been eroded by persistent sin. In a culture where public shame carried great weight, Judah’s refusal to feel disgrace revealed a conscience hardened against both God’s law and His prophets.

Zep 3:5 The LORD within her is righteous; He does no wrong.…
Pro 30:20 This is the way of an adulteress: She eats…

they do not even know how to blush.

The people had become insensitive to guilt. Like those described later by Paul as giving themselves over to sin without restraint, they no longer recognized their conduct as evil. Such blindness was itself evidence of God’s coming judgment.

Jer 3:3 Therefore the showers have been withheld…
Isa 48:4 For I knew that you are stubborn; your neck is iron…

So they will fall among the fallen;

Jerusalem would not escape the fate already overtaking the land. Those who refused to humble themselves before God would be counted among the defeated when Babylon came against Judah.

Psa 36:12 There the evildoers lie fallen, thrown down…
Isa 8:15 Many will stumble over these; they will fall and be broken;…

when I punish them, they will collapse,

The disaster would not be an accident of history but the righteous judgment of the LORD. Judah’s political strength, religious institutions, and alliances could not sustain a people who had abandoned their God.

Ezk 21:7 And when they ask, ‘Why are you groaning?’…
Hos 5:5 Israel’s arrogance testifies against them;…

says the LORD.

The covenant God Himself declared the sentence. His word guaranteed both the certainty of judgment and the seriousness of Judah’s breach of faith.

Zec 1:3 So tell the people that this is what the LORD of Hosts says:…
Amo 5:16 Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Hosts…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and judgment to the people of Judah. His ministry spanned the reigns of several kings and was marked by his deep emotional connection to the messages he delivered.

2. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which had turned away from God and was engaging in idolatry and other sins. Jeremiah's prophecies were directed towards this kingdom, warning them of impending judgment.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is speaking through Jeremiah. He is portrayed as just and righteous, holding His people accountable for their sins.

4. Abomination
Refers to the sinful practices and idolatry that the people of Judah were engaging in, which were detestable in the sight of God.

5. Punishment and Collapse
The consequences that God declares will come upon Judah due to their unrepentant sinfulness. This is a reference to the impending Babylonian exile.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Spiritual Insensitivity
When people become desensitized to sin, they lose the ability to feel shame or guilt. This spiritual numbness can lead to severe consequences, as seen in Judah's downfall.

The Importance of Repentance
True repentance involves recognizing sin, feeling genuine remorse, and turning back to God. Without repentance, judgment is inevitable.

God's Righteous Judgment
God's judgment is not arbitrary but is a response to persistent sin and rebellion. Understanding His justice helps us appreciate His holiness and the seriousness of sin.

The Role of Prophets and Scripture
Prophets like Jeremiah were sent to call people back to God. Today, Scripture serves as our guide and warning, urging us to live righteously.

Living with Integrity
As believers, we are called to live in a way that honors God, being sensitive to sin and quick to repent when we fall short.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some modern-day "abominations" that society may be desensitized to, and how can Christians maintain sensitivity to sin?

2. How does the concept of shame play a role in our spiritual lives, and what can we learn from Judah's lack of shame?

3. In what ways can we ensure that we are living with integrity and not falling into the same patterns of sin as the people of Judah?

4. How can the messages of the prophets, like Jeremiah, inform our understanding of God's character and His expectations for His people today?

5. Reflect on a time when you felt convicted of sin. How did you respond, and what steps did you take to align yourself with God's will?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Jeremiah 6:15
This verse echoes the same sentiment about the people's lack of shame and inability to blush, highlighting a recurring theme in Jeremiah's prophecies.

Isaiah 3:9
This passage also speaks to the shamelessness of the people, showing a broader pattern of sinfulness in Israel and Judah.

Ezekiel 16:30
Here, the prophet Ezekiel addresses the brazen nature of Israel's sin, similar to Jeremiah's message.

Romans 1:28-32
The Apostle Paul describes a society that has turned away from God, resulting in a depraved mind and shameless behavior, paralleling the condition of Judah.
Peace, Peace; When There is no PeaceA.F. Muir Jeremiah 8:8-12
The Exposure of Pseudo-WisdomD. Young Jeremiah 8:8-12
People
Dan, Jeremiah
Places
Dan, Gilead, Jerusalem, Zion
Topics
Able, Abomination, Ashamed, Blush, Blushing, Cast, Certainly, Committed, Conduct, Disgusting, Fall, Fallen, Falling, Inspection, Loathsome, Low, Nay, Ones, Overthrown, Punish, Punished, Punishment, Red, Says, Shame, Stumble, Visitation, Yea
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 8:7-12

     6183   ignorance, of God

Jeremiah 8:11-12

     5468   promises, human

Library
December 8. "Is There no Balm in Gilead; is There no Physician There?" (Jer. viii. 22).
"Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there?" (Jer. viii. 22). Divine healing is just divine life. It is the headship of Christ over the body. It is the life of Christ in the frame. It is the union of our members with the very body of Christ and the inflowing life of Christ in our living members. It is as real as His risen and glorified body. It is as reasonable as the fact that He was raised from the dead and is a living man with a true body and a rational soul to-day, at God's right
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

What have I Done?
The text is "What have I done?" I shall just introduce that by a few words of affectionate persuasion, urging all now present to ask that question: secondly, I shall give them a few words of assistance in trying to answer it; and when I have so done, I shall finish by a few sentences of solemn admonition to those who have had to answer the question against themselves. I. First, then, a few words of EARNEST PERSUASION, requesting every one now present, and more especially every unconverted person,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

Who Shall Deliver?
"Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?"--JER. viii. 22. "Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto Thee; for Thou art the Lord our God."-JER. iii. 22. "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed."-JER. xii. 14. "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me out of the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

"For they that are after the Flesh do Mind,"
Rom. viii. s 5, 6.--"For they that are after the flesh do mind," &c. "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." There are many differences among men in this world, that, as to outward appearance, are great and wide, and indeed they are so eagerly pursued, and seriously minded by men, as if they were great and momentous. You see what a strife and contention there is among men, how to be extracted out of the dregs of the multitude, and set a little higher
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Letter ii (A. D. 1126) to the Monk Adam
To the Monk Adam [3] 1. If you remain yet in that spirit of charity which I either knew or believed to be with you formerly, you would certainly feel the condemnation with which charity must regard the scandal which you have given to the weak. For charity would not offend charity, nor scorn when it feels itself offended. For it cannot deny itself, nor be divided against itself. Its function is rather to draw together things divided; and it is far from dividing those that are joined. Now, if that
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Backsliding.
"I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away."--Hosea xiv. 4. There are two kinds of backsliders. Some have never been converted: they have gone through the form of joining a Christian community and claim to be backsliders; but they never have, if I may use the expression, "slid forward." They may talk of backsliding; but they have never really been born again. They need to be treated differently from real back-sliders--those who have been born of the incorruptible
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It

A Book for Boys and Girls Or, Temporal Things Spritualized.
by John Bunyan, Licensed and entered according to order. London: Printed for, and sold by, R. Tookey, at his Printing House in St. Christopher's Court, in Threadneedle Street, behind the Royal Exchange, 1701. Advertisement by the Editor. Some degree of mystery hangs over these Divine Emblems for children, and many years' diligent researches have not enabled me completely to solve it. That they were written by Bunyan, there cannot be the slightest doubt. 'Manner and matter, too, are all his own.'[1]
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

"But Whereunto Shall I Liken this Generation?"
Matth. xi. 16.--"But whereunto shall I liken this generation?" When our Lord Jesus, who had the tongue of the learned, and spoke as never man spake, did now and then find a difficulty to express the matter herein contained. "What shall we do?" The matter indeed is of great importance, a soul matter, and therefore of great moment, a mystery, and therefore not easily expressed. No doubt he knows how to paint out this to the life, that we might rather behold it with our eyes, than hear it with our
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Intercession of Christ
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us! T he Redemption of the soul is precious. Fools make mock of sin (Proverbs 14:9) . But they will not think lightly of it, who duly consider the majesty, authority, and goodness of Him, against whom it is committed; and who are taught, by what God actually has done, what sin rendered necessary to be done, before a sinner could have a well-grounded
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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