Jeremiah 6:30Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Silver is refused. This indicates a rejection of reproof, being false, lacking lawful minting, and not recognized in the king's treasury; despite bearing the royal seal and inscription, it is worthless due to its underlying corruption. In a similar way, they possess the appearance of godliness, but have denied its true power (2 Tim. 3:5).

I have appointed you as a tester among My mighty people, and you will discern and examine their paths. They are all leaders of disobedience, acting deceitfully. Copper and iron, entirely corrupted, have perished; the smelting process has failed, the lead has deteriorated. Their wickedness remains unpurified: they shall be referred to as false silver, for the Lord has cast them aside. The prophet is bestowed upon the faithless nation, a firm tester, known in Hebrew as mabsar, which indicates either a fortified state, as noted by Aquila, or being surrounded and trapped, as described by Symmachus—strong like a fortified city, untouched by any tumult of the people. When you test, He says, and observe the ways of the sinful, you will realize that silver mixed with copper cannot be made pure.

God chose to ‘reject them.’ He carries on with the same metaphor, stating that ‘No way has triumphed over their deception.’ However, He does not blame nature but rather free will, for He is the Creator of all that exists and would not condemn His own creation. The Jews, in their actions, bear the responsibility for their own misconduct.