A senior corrupt officer, who is on the run from police arrest and his politician father were given a grand welcome with garlands. Rapists are released before their tenure in jail is complete, and receive a rousing welcome in their village. A woman who is accused of being a terrorist, is elected as a Parliament Member of Parliament. Jeremiah writes: “Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed; they did not know how to blush.” (Jeremiah 8:12)
Shame in the Garden of Eden: When Adam and Eve sinned, they were ashamed and hid themselves from God in the Garden of Eden. It is natural for humans to be afraid of punishment, feel ashamed, and know they are guilty when they commit a sin or blunder or a trespass. However, people are ignoring or converting the matter of shame to a matter of pride. Sadly, today in the community, society, and media discourse there is a false pride that suppresses the sin or false pretension that masks their sin.
Cultural shame: In the honor and shame culture, people are obsessed with personal or family honor, and ignore what is true, right, righteous, and just. If people give respect and reward a person for any deed, then that deed becomes right, appropriate, and honorable. Hence, taking bribes or raping or using violence, or violating of law that is being approved and even appreciated by society, will become the norm. The perpetrators of such crimes will not repent but instead perpetuate their behavior to gain more appreciation and popularity.
Blush: Jeremiah states that the Israelites were doing all abomination, yet they did not even know how to blush. That means, their hearts were hardened, neither they could blush nor have any remorse for their action.
Hardness and stiffness: The face instead of blushing, is filled with pride, a naughty smile of success. The hardness of the heart and the stiffness of the neck go together. God’s judgment will come upon them suddenly. (Proverbs 29:1)
Definition changed: Sadly, today people call good as evil and evil as good. (Isaiah 5:20)
Do I fear God and flee evil?