The LORD is the fountain of living waters v.13Jeremiah 17:13XWaiting for response and if we drink his word we shall be saved v.14Jeremiah 17:14XWaiting for response but if we do not we shall be “written in the earth”, returning to the dust for ever, instead of being written in “the book of life”. Philippians 4:3Philippians 4:3XWaiting for response The Jews professed to want the word of God v.15Jeremiah 17:15XWaiting for response but persecuted his prophet, Jeremiah.v.18Jeremiah 17:18XWaiting for response He warned them to keep God’s commandments, “but they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, making their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction”.v.23Jeremiah 17:23XWaiting for response If they had listened, God would have established the throne of David and blessed Judah and Jerusalem,vs.24-26Jeremiah 17:24-26XWaiting for response but they did not and Jerusalem was destroyed by fire.v.27Jeremiah 17:27XWaiting for response Nevertheless, the throne of David will be re-established and Jesus will reign over Israel with those who have listened to the word of God and obeyed it.
Verses 1-10
Jeremiah 17:1-10XWaiting for responseThe sin of the Jews was deeply ingrained v.1.Jeremiah 17:1XWaiting for response They turned from God to idolatry v.2Jeremiah 17:2XWaiting for response and therefore they would be removed into their enemies’ lands.vs.3-4Jeremiah 17:3-4XWaiting for response They made the fatal mistake of trusting in man instead of in the LORD, and were cursed.v.5Jeremiah 17:5XWaiting for response We can make the same mistake. Most people listen to men, experts in every field, but few give diligent attention to the word of God in the scriptures, and therefore most people are barren of fruitfulness to God. They are like the heath in the desert and they will not see the good times God will bring.v.6Jeremiah 17:6XWaiting for response However, those that hope and trust in God are blessed v.7Jeremiah 17:7XWaiting for response and are likened to a tree planted by the waters which continually yields fruit, because they will be immortal and serve God for ever.v.8Jeremiah 17:8XWaiting for response We have to realise that our “heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” v.9Jeremiah 17:9XWaiting for response and we naturally go the wrong way. Therefore we have to fight against our natural inclinations and submit our minds totally to the word of God. He searches our hearts and he will “give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings”.v.10Jeremiah 17:10XWaiting for response