Jeremiah - Chapter 17

Jeremiah 17.1 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; Jeremiah 17.2 Whilst their children remember their altars and their groves by the green trees upon the high hills. Jeremiah 17.3 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. Jeremiah 17.4 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. Jeremiah 17.5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. Jeremiah 17.6 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. Jeremiah 17.7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. Jeremiah 17.8 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. Jeremiah 17.9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17.10 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. Jeremiah 17.11 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. Jeremiah 17.12 A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary. Jeremiah 17.13 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. Jeremiah 17.14 Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise. Jeremiah 17.15 Behold, they say unto me, Where is the word of the LORD? let it come now. Jeremiah 17.16 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. Jeremiah 17.17 Be not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil. Jeremiah 17.18 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. Jeremiah 17.19 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; Jeremiah 17.20 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: Jeremiah 17.21 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; Jeremiah 17.22 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. Jeremiah 17.23 But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction. Jeremiah 17.24 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; Jeremiah 17.25 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. Jeremiah 17.26 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. Jeremiah 17.27 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.

Jeremiah : Chapter 17

Reflection on Jeremiah 17: Trust and Blessing

Chapter 17 of the book of Jeremiah presents a striking contrast between the curse of human trust and the blessing of trusting in God. This all-important question arises: Where is true security found? This profound passage invites us to explore the deceptive nature of the human heart, the futility of relying on our own strength, and the great blessing that comes from our dependence on God.

The Analogy of the Planted Tree

At the heart of this chapter is the famous analogy of the tree planted by the waters. This tree, nourished by living springs, symbolizes the life and prosperity that accompany those who place their trust in God. Jeremiah 17 also reminds us of the importance of the day of rest, a time of renewal and devotion to our Creator.

Five Enlightening Bible Passages

Let's reflect together on five Bible passages that highlight the eternal principles of Jeremiah 17:

John 2:24-25

"But Jesus did not entrust himself to them, for he knew everyone. He needed no one to testify about man, for he knew what was in man." » This verse underlines Jesus' perfect knowledge of human nature, echoing the description of the human heart in Jeremiah 17:9-10.

Matthew 6:19-21

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” » This passage echoes the contrast between trust in earthly riches and trust in God, as described in Jeremiah 17:5-8.

Mark 2:27-28

“Then he said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.’” » This statement refers to the Sabbath instructions in Jeremiah 17:19-27, reminding us that rest is a divine gift for our well-being.

1 Peter 1:3-4

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his abundant mercy, has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that can never perish, be defiled, or lose its value, a heritage kept in heaven for you.” » This passage reflects the theme of hope and trust in God, found in Jeremiah 17:7-8.

James 1:12

"Blessed is the man who endures under trial, for after death he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." » This verse resonates with the blessing promised to those who trust in God, as written in Jeremiah 17:7-8.

Conclusion

As we meditate on these passages, we are called to reevaluate our trust and seek our security in God, the only true refuge. May our hearts be anchored in Him, like the tree planted by the waters, and may we find our strength and peace in faith.