16 This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’ 17 I posted watchmen over you who said, ‘Listen for the sound of the alarm.’ But you replied, ‘No! We won’t pay attention!’ 18-19  “Therefore, listen to this, all you nations. Take note of my people’s situation. Listen, all the earth! I will bring disaster on my people. It is the fruit of their own schemes, because they refuse to listen to me. They have rejected my word. 20 There’s no use offering me sweet frankincense from Sheba. Keep your fragrant calamus imported from distant lands! I will not accept your burnt offerings. Your sacrifices have no pleasing aroma for me.”

21 Therefore, this is what the Lord says: “I will put obstacles in my people’s path. Fathers and sons will both fall over them. Neighbours and friends will die together.” 22-23 This is what the Lord says: “Look! A great army coming from the north! A great nation is rising against you from far-off lands. They are armed with bows and spears. They are cruel and show no mercy. They sound like a roaring sea as they ride forward on horses. They are coming in battle formation, planning to destroy you, beautiful Jerusalem.” 24-25 We have heard reports about the enemy, and we wring our hands in fright. Pangs of anguish have gripped us, like those of a woman in labour. Don’t go out to the fields! Don’t travel on the roads! The enemy’s sword is everywhere and terrorizes us at every turn! 26 Oh, my people, dress yourselves in burlap and sit among the ashes. Mourn and weep bitterly, as for the loss of an only son. For suddenly the destroying armies will be upon you!

27-30 “Jeremiah, I have made you a tester of metals, that you may determine the quality of my people. They are the worst kind of rebel, full of slander. They are as hard as bronze and iron, and they lead others into corruption. The bellows fiercely fan the flames to burn out the corruption. But it does not purify them, for the wickedness remains. I will label them ‘Rejected Silver,’ for I, the Lord, am discarding them.” Jeremiah 6:16-30 New Living Translation (English Standard Version link)

Jeremiah continues to warn the rebellious nation of what God had in store for them. Vs 22-26 give a vivid picture of the cruelty of the Babylonian army that would devastate the land, and describe how the people would eventually begin to panic as their destruction drew nearer. What did God compare Jeremiah's work to being like in vs 27-30.

Just as there are people who test metals to check their purity – a process which could involve flames – so God uses preachers of His word to remove things from our life that make us impure. This is a serious matter in the light of what God said in vs 27-30 about those who rejected the message of Jeremiah. But what had brought them to such a point in their life? (vs 16-17)

We see a picture of people standing at a road sign with the option of two routes before them. One route was an 'old fashioned' road of humble obedience to God, and to follow the things He has taught through the ages. (The Bible is a record of those things). The other choice was a popular road called 'Do-it-my Way'. God even sent prophets to warn them of the danger of the 'My Way' road, but the people refused to listen to them. What was a very sad result of the people's wrong choice? (vs 20)

Even their religion was now worthless in God's sight. He wasn't impressed with their fancy imported incense or elaborate rituals. As long as their lives were impure their religion was just a stench. That's still an important truth in the 21st Century. God isn't looking for fancy new man-made ideas and opinions to make religion more acceptable to those who just want to do their own thing. He is looking for 'old fashioned' humble obedience to His word. Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.