1 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;
2 Whilst their children remember their altars and their groves by the green trees upon the high hills.
3 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.
4 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.
5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed [be] the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
6 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.
7 Blessed [is] the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
8 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.
9 The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?
10 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.
11 [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.
12 A glorious high throne from the beginning [is] the place of our sanctuary.
13 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.
14 Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou [art] my praise.
15 Behold, they say unto me, Where [is] the word of the LORD? let it come now.
16 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.
17 Be not a terror unto me: thou [art] my hope in the day of evil.
18 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.
19 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;
20 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:
21 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;
22 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.
23 But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction.
24 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;
25 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.
26 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.
27 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.
Overview of Jeremiah Chapter 17
Jeremiah Chapter 17 presents a profound exploration of the themes of sin, trust, and the consequences of human behavior in relation to divine judgment. The chapter emphasizes the contrast between reliance on God and dependence on human strength, as well as the importance of the heart’s condition in one’s relationship with God.
Key Themes
- Sin and Idolatry: The chapter begins with a condemnation of Judah’s sins, particularly the worship of idols and the hardness of their hearts.
- Trust in God vs. Trust in Man: A central theme is the dichotomy between those who trust in God and those who rely on their own strength or the strength of others.
- The Heart’s Deceitfulness: The chapter highlights the wickedness of the human heart and the need for divine insight to understand it.
- Consequences of Actions: The text illustrates the outcomes of both faithfulness and unfaithfulness to God.
Verses Breakdown
- Verses 1-4: The chapter opens with a declaration of the sins of Judah, emphasizing the engravings of sin upon their hearts and the resulting judgment they will face.
- Verses 5-8: These verses contrast the fate of those who trust in human strength versus those who trust in the Lord. The former are likened to a shrub in the desert, while the latter are compared to a tree planted by water, flourishing even in drought.
- Verses 9-10: Jeremiah speaks to the deceitfulness of the heart, asserting that only God can truly understand and judge the heart’s intentions.
- Verses 11: This verse uses the metaphor of a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay, illustrating the emptiness of gaining wealth through unjust means.
- Verses 12-13: Jeremiah describes the glorious throne of God and the importance of trusting in Him as the source of hope and salvation.
- Verses 14-18: A prayer for healing and deliverance is presented, showcasing the deep personal relationship Jeremiah has with God, as well as his desire for vindication against his enemies.
- Verses 19-27: The chapter concludes with a prophetic warning to the people regarding the observance of the Sabbath and the consequences of disobedience, emphasizing the importance of maintaining holiness and obedience to God’s commands.
Theological Implications
This chapter reinforces several theological implications:
- The Nature of God: God is portrayed as just and sovereign, capable of understanding human hearts and administering justice accordingly.
- Human Condition: The chapter underscores the inherent sinfulness and deceitfulness of the human heart, necessitating divine intervention for redemption.
- Faith and Trust: It highlights the importance of placing trust in God rather than in human abilities or resources, which are ultimately unreliable.
- Consequences of Sin: The text serves as a warning that disobedience to God leads to dire consequences, both individually and collectively.
Conclusion
Jeremiah Chapter 17 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God, the dangers of idolatry, and the need for a heart aligned with divine will. It challenges readers to reflect on their own trust in God versus reliance on human strength, urging a return to genuine faith and obedience.
