Jeremiah 17:12-27
The earlier verses in this chapter deal with the indelible sin of the people. They demonstrated hearts as hard as diamond and iron! It is little wonder that in working against such hardness and adamant opposition, Jeremiah suffered in heart and mind. There are wounds inflicted upon the heart of the faithful servants of God in such an environment.
What gospel hardness is needed to withstand in such an evil day! Cp Ezek 3:7-9, 2Tim 2:3. What toughness of heart we must acquire to serve God in such a time.
I THE PROPHET WOUNDED AND HEALED.
Cp v12-18
It is clear from these verses that Jeremiah bears the wounds and scars of faithfulness in God’s service.
- His wounds and how they were caused, v14, 18. He uses terms here that express the idea of wounds—heal me…persecute me… These wounds were primarily caused by the attitude of the people. They had left him, v13 and in doing so had forsaken the Lord! It grieved his soul deeply to see his people forsake the truth in this way. They mocked him, v15.
- He was healed and restored.
- By a fresh view of God, v12-13, 17. He looks to the throne of God as it was revealed in the sanctuary. This is the mercy seat, the throne of grace, Heb 4:16. As he reflects on the eternity, glory, holiness of that throne and its occupant he is strengthened again. He reflects on what the Lord is to His people. He is their hope, v13; the fountain of living waters, v13. Cp Rev 22:1-2.
- By prayer. He calls upon the Lord to heal him, deliver him and not to be a terror to him.
- The memory of faithful service. A clear conscience goes a long way in soothing the wounds caused by the attacks made upon his ministry. He could reflect on the fact that he was so closely identified with the Lord, v13 that to leave him was to leave the Lord! He stood as one with the Lord Himself. He had not been unfaithful and run away, v16. He had not taken a ghoulish delight in coming judgement but had faithfully discharged the role of pastor/shepherd among them. He had spoken right words before God.
II THE PROPHET STANDS AGAIN.
Cp v19-27.
God always strengthens and soothes His servants to enable them to take a fresh stand for truth.
- A public stand. In the gates—all of them—of the city he preaches the word of God. He speaks to all the people and has a special application of the words to the royal house.
- Repeated. This was not a once only sermon. Given that only one king reigns at a time. It is clear that God intends him to preach this message again and again.
- The importance of the Sabbath, v21-27.
- An old message, v21. It was the truth revealed to the fathers. The ancient laws of God are not to be forgotten. The commandments of His Moral Law are permanent. The fourth commandment is still a part of that law and is to be ‘remembered’. Cp Heb 4:9.
- Previously rejected. Former generations had refused to obey God in this matter. Jeremiah was not to be deflected from his course by this reality. Popular rejection of Divine law is no warrant for the Christian/church to abandon it!
- A promise, v24-26.
- A threat, v27.