Jeremiah 18:10

If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.

If it do {H6213} evil {H7451} in my sight {H5869}, that it obey {H8085} not my voice {H6963}, then I will repent {H5162} of the good {H2896}, wherewith I said {H559} I would benefit {H3190} them.

but if it behaves wickedly from my perspective and doesn't listen to what I say, then I change my mind and don't do the good I said I would do that would have helped it.

and if it does evil in My sight and does not listen to My voice, then I will relent of the good I had intended for it.

if they do that which is evil in my sight, that they obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.

Jeremiah 18:10 KJV is a pivotal verse within the prophet Jeremiah's "Potter's House" narrative, revealing God's sovereign and conditional dealings with nations and individuals. It emphasizes that divine blessings are not automatically guaranteed but are contingent upon obedience and righteousness.

Context

This verse is part of an object lesson God gives to Jeremiah at a potter's house (Jeremiah 18:1-12). God instructs Jeremiah to observe the potter shaping clay. If the pot was marred, the potter would reshape it into another vessel. God then declares that He holds similar sovereign authority over nations. Just as a potter can reshape clay, God can alter His declared intentions—whether for blessing or judgment—based on the nation's response. Jeremiah 18:10 specifically addresses the scenario where a nation, previously promised good, turns to evil and disobedience. This passage underscores God's dynamic interaction with humanity, where His actions are often influenced by the moral trajectory of His people, as seen in the potter and clay metaphor.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Conditional Nature of Divine Promises: God's promises of blessing are not unconditional. If a people or nation turns from obedience to evil, God reserves the right to withdraw the good He intended. This highlights a principle of divine justice and accountability.
  • God's "Repentance" (Nacham): The phrase "I will repent of the good" might seem to imply a change in God's character, but biblically, it refers to a change in His *action* or *course of dealing* with humanity, not a change in His eternal character or purpose. It signifies His just response to human behavior, turning from blessing to judgment when His people turn from Him. This is consistent with His nature as a God who is both loving and just.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The verse powerfully illustrates that persistent disobedience to God's voice leads to the forfeiture of promised benefits. It serves as a stark warning that God's favor is tied to a nation's moral and spiritual conduct.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Justice: God's ultimate authority over the destinies of nations is affirmed. He is not bound by His initial declarations if the recipients of His promises fail to uphold their end of the implicit or explicit covenant relationship.

Linguistic Insights

The key Hebrew word here is נָחַם (nacham), translated as "repent." While often used for human repentance (a change of mind leading to a change of action), when applied to God, it signifies His deeply felt regret or sorrow over human sin, leading Him to alter His *intended course of action* (whether blessing or judgment) in response to human moral choices. It does not imply that God makes mistakes or changes His character, but rather that His dealings are just and responsive to the behavior of His creation. This is distinct from human repentance, which involves turning from sin.

Related Scriptures

  • This verse directly complements Jeremiah 18:8, which states that if a nation turns from evil, God will "repent of the evil" He intended to bring upon them. Together, these verses show God's dynamic and responsive nature.
  • The concept of God relenting from judgment due to repentance is also famously seen in the book of Jonah 3:10 regarding Nineveh.
  • While God "repents" of His actions, His fundamental character remains unchanging, as declared in Malachi 3:6: "For I am the LORD, I change not." This highlights that God's "repentance" is a consistent exercise of His justice and mercy, always true to His unchanging nature.
  • The principles of blessing for obedience and curses for disobedience are foundational in the Old Testament, particularly outlined in Deuteronomy 28.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 18:10 serves as a powerful reminder for individuals, communities, and nations today. It underscores the importance of:

  • Obedience to God's Voice: Our blessings and well-being are often tied to our responsiveness to God's commands and moral standards.
  • The Need for Repentance: When we stray from God's path, genuine repentance—a turning away from evil and back to Him—is crucial for restoring His favor and preventing the withdrawal of His goodness.
  • Understanding God's Justice and Mercy: God is not arbitrary. His actions are righteous and responsive to our choices. He desires to bless, but He is also just in withholding blessings or bringing consequences when His standards are continually disregarded.
This verse encourages a continuous walk of faith and obedience, recognizing that our relationship with God is dynamic and requires ongoing faithfulness.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 33:18

    When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby.

  • 1 Samuel 2:30

    Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed [that] thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

  • Ezekiel 18:24

    But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, [and] doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked [man] doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

  • 1 Samuel 13:13

    And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.

  • 1 Samuel 15:11

    It repenteth me that I have set up Saul [to be] king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.

  • Psalms 125:5

    As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: [but] peace [shall be] upon Israel.

  • Jeremiah 7:23

    But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

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