The people of Judah thought they were wise; but as time would prove they were fools! They thought they could worship the Lord GOD on their own terms, ignore His Law, & also commit spiritual adultery & somehow continue to experience GOD's peace & prosperity. Only a fool, someone ignorant of GOD, would believe such lies. But that is what the nation had become - they were a nation of fools & GOD was sifting them to see if there were any wise men left.