Jeremiah Chapter 17

Since antiquity, it is human nature for one to seek eagerly the advice of others in making our decisions. It is thus common to see how many sought out so called old wives’ tales, opinions of renowned and authoritative people, gurus and sages and clinging tightly to these nuggets of truth to solve their problems and guide their lives.

Even today, many of us diligently spent our time seeking out such advice and information, whether in making big decisions such as housing, schooling or career or more trivial ones like which brand of product to buy, hotels to stay in and where to eat. In this age of internet, we are aided by the many sources of information available, with the scores of people eagerly posting their views and experiences for others, to lessen the danger of Caveat Emptor (Buyers’ beware).

That said, there is still a need for us to make wisely discernments pertaining to such views and opinions. While there are genuine and sincere posts that are not triggered by personal agenda or gain.  Such views and opinions may still be out of personal biasness and judgment that may be influenced by their values and background.  What we need to be extremely cautious about is not to fall prey to opinions that are out to deceive, out of contempt or purpose to harm and inflict loss.  In this aspect, Caveat Emptor still holds true and should be a principle that we hold fast to.

If we recognise the importance and urgency to uphold this principle in worldly matters which are temporal, what more in the spiritual matters, whose weight is far more exceeding as it pertains to eternity.  Sadly as God pointed out.

“The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?

“Cursed is the man who trusts in man
And makes flesh his strength,
Whose heart departs from the Lord.

Time and time again, we see how the people of God turned their back from the Fountain of Living Water to broken cisterns that hold no water.  They rejected His words, they seek to live their own lives, they fondly remember and cling to false gods who plies them with empty promises and hope.   Time and time again, they disappointed and angered God, leaving Him no other option but to take harsh actions against them, to engrave their sins I their hearts, that is to impute the sins committed to them, thus storing up wrath for the day of judgement.

Why do the people choose to listen to others and not turn to God for answers on life’s questions?  It is because of pride and lust (1 John 2:16).  They seek after God not because of His mercy and grace but to satisfy their sins and cravings.  As James pointed out, we fail to receive from God because we ask amiss, to spend on our pleasures (James 4:3).

How about us?  Do we belong to the group who only pay lip service to God or are we like Jeremiah who truly recognizes the need to heed and obey, the only One who saves, the only One who heals, the only One whom praise and adoration should be accredited to.  

For that, in Jeremiah 17, two areas for us to consider on:

Is our trust in God or in men.

Do we hallow the Sabbath Day, keeping the day as God has intended, or are we stiff-necked and rebellious, profaning the day because we refused to heed and to obey. 

Let us quickly repent while the door of grace remains open, lest the anger of the Lord is upon us, the fire that devours and will not be quenched.

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