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Jeremiah 6:20

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Jeremiah 6:20

Verse 20 of 30

Scripture focus

To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings [are] not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.

Jeremiah 6:20 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Jeremiah 6:20

Theological / Devotional

To what purpose. Jeremiah here emphasizes the fact that no mere external service is acceptable to God. The observance of the entire ceremonial system was useless unless accompanied by heart religion (see 1 Sam. 15:22; Ps. 40:6; Isa. 1:11-13; Jer. 7:21-23; Eze. 20:39; Hosea 6:6; Amos 5:21-24; Micah 6:6-8).

Sheba. Archeological findings (about 1950) now identify Sheba with Yemen, a country in southwestern Arabia (see on 1 Kings 10:1). The Sabaeans were a Semitic merchant people who dealt particularly in such luxury goods as gold, incense, and precious stones (see Isa. 60:6; see on 1 Kings 10:1, 2). Their capital was Marib.

Sweet cane. Generally identified with the sweet calamus, the choicest varieties of which were grown in India and southern Arabia (see Eze. 27:19). The roots, stems, and leaves of the plant yielded a fragrant essence when crushed.

Sweet unto me. Literally, “pleasing to me.”

By SdaBc