A shock jock can be defined as:  A radio personality who uses provocative or inflammatory words to make offensive and/or controversial comments in order to get people’s attention and build ratings for his program.

A modern example of a shock jock is Howard Stern.  He pushes the limits of vulgarity and disrespect in order to shock people.

An ancient example (of a shock jock before radio) is Jeremiah, the Old Testament prophet, who boldly declared God’s moral standards and human wrong doing — trying to shock people into turning away from their sinful behavior.  Here are some shocking statements from shock jock Jeremiah:

“Your wickedness will punish you . . . You have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to blush with shame . . . You do all the evil you can. . . Acknowledge your guilt–you have rebelled against the Lord, your God. . . How long will you harbor wicked thoughts?. . . Your own conduct and actions have brought this on you.”

Speaking about the people, holy shock jock Jeremiah says:  “They have perverted their ways. . . They are senseless children; they have no understanding. . . They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good. . . They made their hearts harder than stone and refused to repent. . . They do not know the way of the lord, the requirements of their God. . . They are well-fed, lusty stallions, each neighing for another man’s wife. . . These people have stubborn and rebellious hearts; they have turned aside and gone astray. . . ”

“Their houses are full of deceit; they have become rich and powerful and have grown fat and sleek. Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not seek justice.  They do not promote the case of the fatherless; they do not defend the just cause of the poor.”

“The prophets prophesy lies, the priest rule by their own authority. . . Their ears are closed so they cannot hear. . . The word of the Lord is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it. . . From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain. . . They have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. . . They are all hardened rebels, going about to slander. . . They all act corruptly. . . They followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts.”

“This is the nation (Jeremiah is referring to Israel and Judah) that has not obeyed the Lord its God or responded to correction.  Truth has perished; it has vanished from their lips.”

“None of them repent of their wickedness saying, ‘What have I done?’. . . They go from one sin to another. . . No one speaks the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they weary themselves with sinning. . .