What a beautiful contrast do these verses contain, to those which were before; and in what a lovely manner is that well founded trust in the Lord pointed out, under the similitude of a tree planted by the river. Reader! only make reference of what is here said to the Church planted in Christ, and by Christ, the Tree of life, and what glories pour in upon the soul, from such a view of the doctrine? Revelation 22:2 . read more
5-11 He who puts confidence in man, shall be like the heath in a desert, a naked tree, a sorry shrub, the product of barren ground, useless and worthless. Those who trust to their own righteousness and strength, and think they can do without Christ, make flesh their arm, and their souls cannot prosper in graces or comforts. Those who make God their Hope, shall flourish like a tree always green, whose leaf does not wither. They shall be fixed in peace and satisfaction of mind; they shall not be... read more
The Depth of the Nation's Corruption v. 5. Thus saith the Lord, in rebuking the tendency of Judah to rely upon various heathen allies, Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, as the Jews did in relying upon Egypt, and maketh flesh his arm, in depending upon the strength of men, and whose heart departeth from the Lord, this fact explaining the reason for such foolish trust in man. v. 6. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, literally, "like a naked one in the wilderness," one... read more
Jeremiah 17:04. Refutation of the objection (Jeremiah 16:10) that the people had not generally served idolsJeremiah 17:1-41 The sin of Judah is written with an iron stylus,1Graven with a diamond point on the tablet of their heart,On the horns of their altars;2 As their children remember their altars,And their images of Baal2 by3 the green trees, by the high hills.3 My mountain together with4 the fields,Thy substance and all thy treasures will I give up to spoil,Thy heights!—for... read more
Human and Divine Help Contrasted Jeremiah 17:1-14 The Jews were always seeking alliance either with Egypt or Babylon. What was true of them applies to us all; but we cannot depend upon human aid, without departing from the Lord. The heath is probably the juniper, a lonely tree, dwelling in arid wastes, unvisited by dew. The soul that rests on God is watered from His throne. The roots of such are fed from the hidden springs of Eternity. The heart is deceitful; it tends constantly to... read more
Once again Jehovah declared His determination to deal with the people in judgment, because of the defiant definiteness of their sin. That sin was "written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond." This declaration is followed by a contrast between the man who trusts in man and the "man who trusteth in Jehovah." The first dwells in the midst of desert desolation. The second is rooted by the springs of fruitfulness. This is true notwithstanding contrary appearances. Jehovah is the... read more
Section 5. The Word Concerning The Droughts: The Certainty Of Exile For Judah (Jeremiah 14:1 to Jeremiah 17:27 ). The new section is again introduced by the words ‘The word of YHWH which came to Jeremiah --’ (Jeremiah 14:1) although in slightly altered form (literally ‘that which came, the word of YHWH, to Jeremiah’). “The word concerning the droughts” gives illustrative evidence confirming that the impending judgment of Judah cannot be turned aside by any prayers or entreaties, and that... read more
The Cursings And The Blessings On Individuals (Jeremiah 17:5-11 ). But not all of Judah will come under YHWH’s anger. Only those (the huge majority) who have turned from Him and forsaken Him and are under the curses described in Leviticus 26:0; Deuteronomy 28 ff. For them there will be barrenness and emptiness. But provision had to be made for those comparatively few who did truly respond to YHWH, and for them there is promised blessing and fruitfulness. They will flourish in the midst of the... read more
Jeremiah 16:1 to Jeremiah 17:18 . The Coming Distress a Penalty for Sin.— The prophet is forbidden to found a family, because of the coming sorrows ( cf. 1 Corinthians 7:29 ff.), in which death will be too common even for due mourning and burial. He is to stand aloof from the ordinary expressions of grief ( Jeremiah 16:5-Judges :) or social joy ( Jeremiah 16:8 f.; cf. Jeremiah 7:34), as a sign that Yahweh will make both to cease in the universal disaster. The reason for this great suffering... read more
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James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 17:1-27
“ IN THE SWELLING OF JORDAN ” God told the prophet worse was to come. The Swelling of Jordan would be experienced later, and in the present lesson, especially towards the close, we have an illustration of it. There are things of interest to look at in the meantime, for example, an illustration of that symbolic teaching mentioned earlier. In chapter 13 we have what two symbols? See Jeremiah 13:1-11 for the first and Jeremiah 13:12-14 for the second. The prophet acted these out before the... read more