In the higher gnomic or proverbial style. God and man, flesh and spirit, are natural antitheses (comp. Isaiah 31:3 ; Psalms 56:4 ). The prayer of the believer is, "Be thou (O Jehovah) their arm every morning;" not Egypt, not Assyria, not any "arm of flesh." read more
Like the heath in the desert ; as forlorn as some well-known desert plant. But which plant? St. Jerome explains, "Et erit quasi myrice ['tamarisk'], quae Hebraice dicitur Aroer (?) sire, at interpretatus est Syrus, lignum infructuosum." The versions agree in supposing the comparison to be to a plant; and a very similar word in Arabic ( ghargar ) means the mountain juniper; Tristram, the dwarf juniper. Most, however, take the word to be an adjective equivalent to "destitute." Dr. Thomson... read more
The curse upon the man who trusts in man . In considering this passage it is important to bear in mind that two different Hebrew words ( גֶּבֶד and אָדָם ) are rendered by the one word "man." A recollection of this difference will bring much more meaning out of the passage. I. There is suggested for consideration MAN IN HIS OPINION OF HIMSELF . He reckons himself as גֶּבֶד , the strong one. He likes to estimate his great resources and use them for his own... read more
The blessing on the man who trusts in Jehovah. I. MAN 'S CLAIM TO BE RECKONED AS STRONG NEED NOT BE AN EMPTY ONE . He deserves the appellation of גֶּבֶר if only he will set the right way to obtain it. Weak as he appears from the point of view given, when his natural resources are fully opened up and tested, he may nevertheless become strong by the favor of Jehovah to perform the most extraordinary achievements. From one extreme where the strength of the... read more
Shall not see ; rather, shall not fear— this is the reading of the Hebrew text, and of the Septuagint, Peshito, and Vulgate. The Authorized Version represents that of the margin, which is conformed to Jeremiah 17:6 , but is against the parallelisms. read more
The crocked devices of the human heart, which is characterized as deceitful above all things , and desperately wicked, or rather, desperately sick (see Jeremiah 15:18 , where it is explained by the words, "which refuseth to be healed"). The Septuagint reads this verse differently, "The heart is deep above all things, and it is a man." read more
The evil heart searched and judged. I. THE EVIL OF THE HEART . 1. The most important question concerning a man is as to the state of his heart— his thoughts, affections, intentions. In the heart we find the true man. The outer life is but the clothing and may be the mask of the man. From the heart spring all the actions of life. The character of the fountain determines that of the stream ( Matthew 15:18 , Matthew 15:19 ). 2. The root of the evil of the heart is ... read more
Heart mysteries and their Interpreter. The repudiation of his charges by Judah and Jerusalem leads the prophet to advert to the causes of this behavior. They not only declare their innocence when guilty, but pursue after unholy aims on the plea of serving God. How are such ignorance and infatuation produced? The reply is that the natural heart is deceitful and corrupt above everything else. I. THE MYSTERY OF THE HEART . 1. It is a " mystery of iniquity ." The heart... read more
The searching and knowing of the heart. One is reminded here of the oft-quoted piece of advice, "Know thyself." The prophet's assertion places man before us as the victim of self-ignorance, self-confidence, and self-deception. He talks of truth when his mind is full of error, and thus he is prevented from taking the only real way by which he can attain to the knowledge of truth. In the prophet's assertion and question, and the Divine answer given to the question, there is much which upon... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 17:5-8
Trust: human and Divine. The prophet here presents before us a vivid contrast between two types of human character. He does this by the use of suggestive images drawn from the realm of nature, as one accustomed to see the great lessons of man's moral life and destiny reflected in visible forms in the sandy desert and sterile places of the wilderness, and in the fertile valleys and woody banks of the flowing river. The imagery is peculiarly Oriental We can all appreciate it in some measure,... read more