Jeremiah 17: A Call to Heartfelt Faithfulness
The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;
Whilst their children remember their altars and their groves by the green trees upon the high hills.
O my mountain in the field, I will give thy substance and all thy treasures to the spoil, and thy high places for sin, throughout all thy borders.
And thou, even thyself, shalt discontinue from thine heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burn for ever.
Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.
For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.
For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.
A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.
O Lord, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters.
Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.
Behold, they say unto me, Where is the word of the Lord? let it come now.
As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was right before thee.
Be not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil.
Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction.
Thus said the Lord unto me; Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by the which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem;
And say unto them, Hear ye the word of the Lord, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates:
Thus saith the Lord; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem;
Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.
But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction.
And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the Lord, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein;
Then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and this city shall remain for ever.
And they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places about Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the plain, and from the mountains, and from the south, bringing burnt offerings, and sacrifices, and meat offerings, and incense, and bringing sacrifices of praise, unto the house of the Lord.
But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.
Jeremiah 17 delves into the depths of Judah's spiritual sickness, contrasting the consequences of trusting in humanity versus trusting in the Lord. It's a chapter filled with both stark warnings and glimmers of hope, urging God's people to examine their hearts and return to Him with genuine devotion. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder that true faith is not merely outward observance but a deep, inward commitment that shapes our actions and destinies.
The Engraved Sin of Judah (Jeremiah 17:1-4)
The Lord begins by highlighting the deeply ingrained sin of Judah. Their transgression is not superficial; it is etched upon the tablets of their hearts and the horns of their altars (Jeremiah 17:1). This vivid imagery underscores the pervasive nature of their idolatry. It was so deeply rooted that even their children were involved in false worship, using Asherah poles, idols dedicated to the Canaanite goddess of fertility (Jeremiah 17:2). These symbols of pagan worship had a disturbing history in Israel, appearing and disappearing throughout their history. The reign of King Manasseh, who erected such a pole in the temple, marked a low point, even though he later removed it (2 Kings 21:7; 2 Chronicles 33:15). Manasseh's actions were largely blamed for Judah's pitiful spiritual condition (Jeremiah 15:4). But in Jeremiah's time, the people had surpassed their ancestors in disobedience, igniting God's anger (Jeremiah 17:4). To find yourself in the path of God's burning anger is a dangerous place to be.
The Choice: Trust in Man or Trust in God (Jeremiah 17:5-8)
Judah stood at a crossroads, facing the consuming fire of God's judgment when they could have experienced His refreshing presence. Jeremiah presents a stark contrast between two paths: trusting in human strength and facing a curse, or trusting in the Lord and receiving blessing (Jeremiah 17:5, 7). The image of a bush in the Arabah, the desolate desert region of Israel, vividly portrays the consequences of misplaced trust. It is a salt land, barren and uninhabitable (Jeremiah 17:6). This likely refers to the area around the Dead Sea, where the high salt and mineral content prevents life. In contrast, the person who trusts in the Lord is likened to a tree planted by water (Jeremiah 17:8), echoing the blessed individual described in Psalm 1. This tree thrives, its roots reaching for life-giving water, symbolizing the constant nourishment and strength that comes from a relationship with God.
The Deceitful Heart (Jeremiah 17:9-10)
Jeremiah 17:9 is perhaps one of the most well-known verses in the book. It comes in the context of people who were sinning greatly while asking naïvely, "What sins are we committing?" God declares, "The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it?" This verse speaks to our human capacity for self-deception and rebellion against God. We often underestimate the depths of our own sinfulness. We don't know ourselves as well as we think we do.
However, Jeremiah 17:10 offers a crucial counterpoint. If our only hope for understanding the human heart lay in other humans, we would be in dire straits. God adds that He searches the heart and examines the mind (Jeremiah 17:10). This explains why many find that reading the Bible feels like a personal examination, as if it's looking into the deepest recesses of their minds and hearts. This is because God's Word is alive and powerful, constantly probing us. It's a good thing to be probed and exposed by the incision that God makes in our lives by His Word (Hebrews 4:12), because that's when we can truly deal with deep-rooted sin and begin to grow. The God who tests and knows the heart is also able to give sinners what they deserve—judgment for abandoning the LORD, the fountain of living water (Jeremiah 17:13).
Jeremiah's Plea for Protection (Jeremiah 17:14-18)
Jeremiah concludes this message with another plea for God's protection and vindication. As a faithful spokesman, he neither shirked his difficult assignment nor wished ill upon Judah. Yet, he faced bitter opposition and persecution (Jeremiah 17:14-17). Jeremiah prays that his tormentors would be put to shame (Jeremiah 17:18)—not out of personal bitterness or revenge but because they had scorned the Lord and His word.
The Sabbath Command (Jeremiah 17:19-27)
The prophet then receives another assignment, delivering a specific message face-to-face to the people as they entered the gates of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 17:19). This message is a warning against violating the Lord's Sabbath, as their ancestors had done (Jeremiah 17:21-23). However, amidst the warning lies a promise: if God's people keep His Sabbath, Israel will enjoy untold blessing, peace, and prosperity (Jeremiah 17:24-26). Refusal to obey, however, will result in fire consuming the gates and citadels of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 17:27). This section emphasizes the importance of obedience and highlights the blessings that follow when God's people honor His commands.
The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;
Whilst their children remember their altars and their groves by the green trees upon the high hills.
O my mountain in the field, I will give thy substance and all thy treasures to the spoil, and thy high places for sin, throughout all thy borders.
And thou, even thyself, shalt discontinue from thine heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burn for ever.
Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.
For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.
For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.
A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.
O Lord, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters.
Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.
Behold, they say unto me, Where is the word of the Lord? let it come now.
As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was right before thee.
Be not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil.
Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction.
Thus said the Lord unto me; Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by the which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem;
And say unto them, Hear ye the word of the Lord, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates:
Thus saith the Lord; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem;
Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.
But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction.
And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the Lord, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein;
Then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and this city shall remain for ever.
And they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places about Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the plain, and from the mountains, and from the south, bringing burnt offerings, and sacrifices, and meat offerings, and incense, and bringing sacrifices of praise, unto the house of the Lord.
But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.
Jeremiah 17 delves into the depths of Judah's spiritual sickness, contrasting the consequences of trusting in humanity versus trusting in the Lord. It's a chapter filled with both stark warnings and glimmers of hope, urging God's people to examine their hearts and return to Him with genuine devotion. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder that true faith is not merely outward observance but a deep, inward commitment that shapes our actions and destinies.
The Engraved Sin of Judah (Jeremiah 17:1-4)
The Lord begins by highlighting the deeply ingrained sin of Judah. Their transgression is not superficial; it is etched upon the tablets of their hearts and the horns of their altars (Jeremiah 17:1). This vivid imagery underscores the pervasive nature of their idolatry. It was so deeply rooted that even their children were involved in false worship, using Asherah poles, idols dedicated to the Canaanite goddess of fertility (Jeremiah 17:2). These symbols of pagan worship had a disturbing history in Israel, appearing and disappearing throughout their history. The reign of King Manasseh, who erected such a pole in the temple, marked a low point, even though he later removed it (2 Kings 21:7; 2 Chronicles 33:15). Manasseh's actions were largely blamed for Judah's pitiful spiritual condition (Jeremiah 15:4). But in Jeremiah's time, the people had surpassed their ancestors in disobedience, igniting God's anger (Jeremiah 17:4). To find yourself in the path of God's burning anger is a dangerous place to be.
The Choice: Trust in Man or Trust in God (Jeremiah 17:5-8)
Judah stood at a crossroads, facing the consuming fire of God's judgment when they could have experienced His refreshing presence. Jeremiah presents a stark contrast between two paths: trusting in human strength and facing a curse, or trusting in the Lord and receiving blessing (Jeremiah 17:5, 7). The image of a bush in the Arabah, the desolate desert region of Israel, vividly portrays the consequences of misplaced trust. It is a salt land, barren and uninhabitable (Jeremiah 17:6). This likely refers to the area around the Dead Sea, where the high salt and mineral content prevents life. In contrast, the person who trusts in the Lord is likened to a tree planted by water (Jeremiah 17:8), echoing the blessed individual described in Psalm 1. This tree thrives, its roots reaching for life-giving water, symbolizing the constant nourishment and strength that comes from a relationship with God.
The Deceitful Heart (Jeremiah 17:9-10)
Jeremiah 17:9 is perhaps one of the most well-known verses in the book. It comes in the context of people who were sinning greatly while asking naïvely, "What sins are we committing?" God declares, "The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it?" This verse speaks to our human capacity for self-deception and rebellion against God. We often underestimate the depths of our own sinfulness. We don't know ourselves as well as we think we do.
However, Jeremiah 17:10 offers a crucial counterpoint. If our only hope for understanding the human heart lay in other humans, we would be in dire straits. God adds that He searches the heart and examines the mind (Jeremiah 17:10). This explains why many find that reading the Bible feels like a personal examination, as if it's looking into the deepest recesses of their minds and hearts. This is because God's Word is alive and powerful, constantly probing us. It's a good thing to be probed and exposed by the incision that God makes in our lives by His Word (Hebrews 4:12), because that's when we can truly deal with deep-rooted sin and begin to grow. The God who tests and knows the heart is also able to give sinners what they deserve—judgment for abandoning the LORD, the fountain of living water (Jeremiah 17:13).
Jeremiah's Plea for Protection (Jeremiah 17:14-18)
Jeremiah concludes this message with another plea for God's protection and vindication. As a faithful spokesman, he neither shirked his difficult assignment nor wished ill upon Judah. Yet, he faced bitter opposition and persecution (Jeremiah 17:14-17). Jeremiah prays that his tormentors would be put to shame (Jeremiah 17:18)—not out of personal bitterness or revenge but because they had scorned the Lord and His word.
The Sabbath Command (Jeremiah 17:19-27)
The prophet then receives another assignment, delivering a specific message face-to-face to the people as they entered the gates of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 17:19). This message is a warning against violating the Lord's Sabbath, as their ancestors had done (Jeremiah 17:21-23). However, amidst the warning lies a promise: if God's people keep His Sabbath, Israel will enjoy untold blessing, peace, and prosperity (Jeremiah 17:24-26). Refusal to obey, however, will result in fire consuming the gates and citadels of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 17:27). This section emphasizes the importance of obedience and highlights the blessings that follow when God's people honor His commands.