We will certainly do everything we said we would: We will burn incense to the Queen of Heaven and will pour out drink offerings to her just as we and our ancestors, our kings and our officials did in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem.

Stubborn to say the least.

Despite warnings, prophecies, billboards and Facebook posts of that age, nothing changes the minds and hearts of people clearly on a mission to failure.

At that time we had plenty of food and were well off and suffered no harm. But ever since we stopped burning incense to the Queen of Heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have had nothing and have been perishing by sword and famine.

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭44‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We all seem to find the reasonings and evidences our prideful hearts seek, despite the truth from experience that stares us in the face.

Rebellion has consequences and for these people, they are dire.

Read all the preceding passages and count the warnings.

God goes to great lengths to curb our enthusiasm for a bad outcome.

It’s like we never grow up, never get beyond ourselves as the center of the universe, always thinking we are right, that ours is the better way.

History, experience, and humility are great teachers.