Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 5:3

3 O LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder then a rock, they have refused to return.

The Prophet, observing the obstinacy of this people, abruptly turns himself to God, yet emphatically insinuates their incorrigibleness. This may refer either to Gods discerning and knowing truth from falshood, as being impossible that any thing should be hid from him, Psalm 11.4. or rather, more agreeable to the phrase, to Gods approving, and this some again refer to Persons, as men of truth for true men, so man of wisdom for a wise man, Micah 6.9. but better to truth and faithfulness, as that which God hath a great respect for, and delight in, Psalm 51.6. and was not to be found among these people, though none of these senses be improper, this seems the most genuine.

They have been under sore grievances, that God hath laid them under, yet they seem as unconcerned, Prov. 23.35. Isa. 42.25. or it is probable, they were griev'd at their sufferings, but they have not repented, thereby to turn away the causes of his just displeasure, see 2 Cor. 7.9, 10.

God had not only lightly chastized them, but wasted them by several enemies, as the Assyrian, Isa. 10.5, 6. and 36.1. and Pharaoh Nech[illegible: 1 letter], 2 Kings 23.33. and the Chaldees, Syrians, Moabites, and the, Ammonites, 2 Kings 24.2. and Nebuchadnezzar, 2 Kings 24.13. &c. all these he made use of as the rod of his indignation, yet they refused to receive correction, see chap. 2.30. a Metonymy of the effect, they have profited nothing by it, not at all reformed, Isa. 1.5, 16. Amos 4.6, 8, 9, 10, 11.

Noting their obstinacy and impudence, laying aside all sense of Judgments, as past feeling, Prov. 21.29. Zech. 7.12.

Wilfully rejected counsel, and slighted correction, resolving to persist in their obstinacy.

Marginal references: Isa. 9.13.; Zeph▪ 3.2.