However, they would not listen but continued to practice their former customs — the final judgment on both Israel and the replacement Samaritan populations: they "would not listen" (לֹא שָׁמְעוּ, *lo shamu*) but continued in apostasy. The phrase "continued to practice their former customs" indicates stubborn persistence in rebellion despite covenant warnings and conditions. This verse completes the cycle: warnings offered (v. 13), refusal to listen (v. 14), comprehensive apostasy (v. 16), exile (v. 23), replacement populations taught the covenant (v. 28), yet syncretism persists (v. 40).

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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