Jeremiah 5:20-21

Jeremiah was also to deliver another message to the Judahites. He was to command them to hear-even though they were foolish and heartless, blind and deaf to the Lord (cf. Isaiah 6:9; Matthew 13:14-15; John 12:40; Acts 28:26).

"Although we have much sympathy for a man who cannot read because his eyes are sightless, our attitude is much different toward one who has never learned to read because of laziness or stubbornness. In a country where everyone has an opportunity to learn to read and write, illiteracy is regarded as an inexcusable tragedy. Spiritual illiteracy is little different. God is not sparing in His denunciation of those who have had a chance to know Him and His salvation but have despised the opportunity." [Note: Burton L. Goddard, Meet Jeremiah: A Devotional Commentary, p. 34.]