Jeremiah (1-31) 17:1 Commentary and Bible Study

‘The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron’, not so much a pen as an implement in the original. It could be an engraving tool, but more than a pen. This is so strongly denounced, ‘The sin of Judah’ – and it is idolatry that is in mind at this point. ‘And with the point of a diamond’, or some other very sharp stone. It is written in a way that cannot be denied, cannot be disguised or erased; it defines the people. ‘It is graven [engraved] upon the table of their hearts.’ But the heart is a soft, fleshy thing. Yes, but in their case, it is as though it is engraven on stone due to the hardness of their hearts. They have hearts of stone and not of flesh; they lack the new heart that Ezekiel spoke of (Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26); they are so committed to doing evil. That is why they cannot even be prayed for. Their sin is engraved on the heart of the worshippers, and ‘upon the horns of your altars’. The horns were customarily brass posts at each corner of the altar that was dedicated to some idol or other, and these posts projected up above the altar and would be decorated and engraved, particularly with the name of the family that made that particular shrine. It was made to bring some kind of honour and credit to that family. It was made to reflect that family’s earthly wealth. There was great competition in the splendour of the shrines. This is my shrine, and the name is attached to it as if that particular idol owns that person, as well as the person owning the shrine. The sin is then extended: ‘Whilst their children remember their altars.’ These altars and shrines have been so lovingly constructed and dedicated that they are large in the minds of the children. The children equally follow the parents in pride for them. The children observe their parents bowing down and yielding themselves to these idols that they themselves had made, and the children remember these altars and their groves by the green trees. In the mind of the child, it is all associated with days out, when they went up to the family shrine in the hills, particularly at the top of a high hill. The views were tremendous, and the vegetation and the tall powerful trees. All this was deeply impressive to the children, and pressed itself upon their minds. The children were fond of these things. They were brainwashed by the myths, that went hand-in-hand with the idolatry. This is a particular sin to God: that people should depend upon things other than him, and put all their trust and reliance in them. It is a shocking insult to God. It is so offensive to him.‘O my mountain in the field, I will give thy substance and all thy treasures to the spoil’ – Nebuchadnezzar and the Chaldeans would invade and take it all – ‘and thy high places for sin, throughout all thy borders.’ God links the coming punishment to this sin in particular; they are going to be brought down by them. Yet they would not given it up, because it had taken hold of their affections.‘And thou, even thyself, shalt discontinue from thine heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burn for ever.’ By embracing idols we forfeit whatever good things the Lord has given us, and bring his well-designed punishment on us. For Israel to be handed over to their enemies was for their worst fears to be realised. The way this is expressed should fill Israel with alarm. Before you light a fire you have the option whether to go ahead or not, but once you light it and it starts to burn it may be impossible to put out the flame. God’s anger is not something to be toyed with; it cannot be kept within bounds. We must do our utmost to obtain his mercy, to obey him and please him, for once his anger is aroused, it may not end forever.