Chapter 17

The book of Jeremiah is prophecy, of course – written by one of the great prophets. But some parts of it read like biography, some like a letter, and some – including this part we will examine tonight – even sound like Proverbs.

Although God doesn’t wander from the theme of the previous verses – namely, that God’s people have failed to follow Him, and therefore they will be exiled as punishment – the tone of this passage is just a little less dark than previous chapters. And as I previously said, there is the hint of wisdom literature here.

In the process, Jeremiah gives us some really good hints on how to understand the nature of God. The main concept we have is that of where we place our dependence.

People are pretty good value – MOST OF THE TIME. Usually they are kind and decent. Yet sometimes when you depend on them, the bottom line is that you’d be wiser not to do so!

But each of us have our weak spots, and without His guidance, presumably many of ust may otherwise be the same – that is, headed for justice, which in this case would have meant separation from God – maybe permanently.

We know that we can trust some things and some people, and not others; that’s just the way of things. God Himself compares relying on humankind to building on a tumbleweed (at least in the “Message” translation!)!

Let’s be honest – that’s pretty common. Yet somehow bad experiences with trusting Humankind rather than God Himself doesn’t stop us from doing it again

Contrasting this, we have a line which is popular amongst Christians of all stripe – “Blessed is the man who trusts in me.” And Jeremiah compares THIS person with a tree with deep roots.

When everything is going well, it’s easy to stand on one’s own feet. But what about when things are going badly?

If you’re relying on humankind, a turn for the worst in your luck is awful. Humans won’t know what to do. But if you’re relying on God, you are still safe. Things may hurt, but they can’t destroy you. You have something beyond the visible, and you are safer and stronger than anyone around you might otherwise believe.