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Commentary on Jeremiah 18 verses 11–17
These verses seem to be the application of the general truths laid down in the foregoing part of the chapter to the nation of the Jews and their present state.
I. God was now speaking concerning them to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy; for it is that part of the rule of judgment that their case agrees with (Jer 18:11): "Go, and tell them" (saith God), "Behold I frame evil against you and devise against you. Providence in all its operations is plainly working towards your ruin. Look upon your conduct towards God, and you cannot but see that you deserve it; look upon his dealings with you, and you cannot but see that he designs it." He frames evil, as the potter frames the vessel, so as to answer the end.
II. He invites them by repentance and reformation to meet him in the way of his judgments and so to prevent his further proceedings against them: "Return you now every one from his evil ways, that so (according to the rule before laid down) God may turn from the evil he had purported to do unto you, and that providence which seemed to be framed like a vessel on the wheel against you shall immediately be thrown into a new shape, and the issue shall be in favour of you." Note, The warnings of God's word, and the threatenings of his providence, should be improved by us as strong inducements to us to reform our lives, in which it is not enough to turn from our evil ways, but we must make our ways and our doings good, conformable to the rule, to the law.
III. He foresees their obstinacy, and their perverse refusal to comply with this invitation, though it tended so much to their own benefit (Jer 18:12): They said, "There is no hope. If we must not be delivered unless we return from our evil ways, we may even despair of ever being delivered, for we are resolved that we will walk after our own devices. It is to no purpose for the prophets to say any more to us, to use any more arguments, or to press the matter any further; we will have our way, whatever it cost us; we will do every one the imagination of his own evil heart, and will not be under the restraint of the divine law." Note, That which ruins sinners is affecting to live as they list. They call it liberty to live at large; whereas for a man to be a slave to his lusts is the worst of slaveries. See how strangely some men's hearts are hardened by the deceitfulness of sin that they will not so much as promise amendment; nay, they set the judgments of God at defiance: "We will go on with our own devices, and let God go on with his; and we will venture the issue."
IV. He upbraids them with the monstrous folly of their obstinacy, and their hating to be reformed. Surely never were people guilty of such an absurdity, never any that pretended to reason acted so unreasonably (Jer 18:13): Ask you among the heathen, even those that had not the benefit of divine revelation, no oracles, no prophets, as Judah and Jerusalem had, yet, even among them, who hath heart such a thing? The Ninevites, when thus warned, turned from their evil ways. Some of the worst of men, when they are told of their faults, especially when they begin to smart for them, will at least promise reformation and say that they will endeavour to mend. But the virgin of Israel bids defiance to repentance, is resolved to go on frowardly, whatever conscience and Providence say to the contrary, and thus has done a horrible thing. She should have preserved herself pure and chaste for God, who had espoused her to himself; but she has alienated herself from him, and refuses to return to him. Note, It is a horrible thing, enough to make one tremble to think of it, that those who have made their condition sad by sinning should make it desperate by refusing to reform. Wilful impenitence is the grossest self-murder; and that is a horrible thing, which we should abhor the thought of.
V. He shows their folly in two things: -
1.In the nature of the sin itself that they were guilty of. They forsook God for idols, which was the most horrible thing that could be, for they put a most dangerous cheat upon themselves (Jer 18:14, Jer 18:15): Will a thirsty traveller leave the snow, which, being melted, runs down from the mountains of Lebanon, and, passing over the rock of the field, flows in clear, clean, crystal streams? Will he leave these, pass these by, and think to better himself with some dirty puddle-water? Or shall the cold flowing waters that come from any other place be forsaken in the heat of summer? No; when men are parched with heat and drought, and meet with cooling refreshing streams, they will make use of them, and not turn their backs upon them. The margin reads it, "Will a man that is travelling the road leave my fields, which are plain and level, for a rock, which is rough and hard, or for the snow of Lebanon, which, lying in great drifts, makes the road impassable? Or shall the running waters be forsaken for the strange cold waters? No; in these things men know when they are well off, and will keep so; they will not leave a certainty for an uncertainty. But my people have forgotten me (Jer 18:15), have quitted a fountain of living waters for broken cisterns. They have burnt incense to idols, that are as vain as vanity itself, that are not what they pretend to be nor can perform what is expected from them." They had not the common wit of travellers, but even their leaders caused them to err, and they were content to be misled. (1.) They left the ancient paths, which were appointed by the divine law, which had been walked in by all the saints, which were therefore the right way to their journey's end, a safe way, and, being well-tracked, were both easy to hit and easy to walk in. But, when they were advised to keep to the good old way, they positively said that they would not, Jer 6:16. (2.) They chose by-paths; they walked in a way not cast up, not in the highway, the King's highway, in which they might travel safely, and which would certainly lead them to their right end, but in a dirty way, a rough way, a way in which they could not but stumble; such was the way of idolatry (such is the way of all iniquity - it is a false way, it is a way full of stumbling-blocks) and yet this way they chose to walk in and lead others in.
2.In the mischievous consequences of it. Though the thing itself were bad, they might have had some excuse for it if they could have promised themselves any good out of it. But the direct tendency of it was to make their land desolate, and, consequently, themselves miserable (for so the inhabitants must needs be if their country be laid waste), and both themselves and their land a perpetual hissing. Those deserve to be hissed that have fair warning given them and will not take it. Every one that passes by their land shall make his remarks upon it, and shall be astonished, and way his head, some wondering, others commiserating, others triumphing in the desolations of a country that had been the glory of all lands. They shall wag their heads in derision, upbraiding them with their folly in forsaking God and their duty, and so pulling this misery upon their own heads. Note, Those that revolt from God will justly be made the scorn of all about them, and, having reproached the Lord, will themselves be a reproach. Their land being made desolate, in pursuance of their destruction, it is threatened (Jer 18:17), I will scatter them as with an east wind, which is fierce and violent; by it they shall be hurried to and fro before the enemy, and find no way open to escape. They shall not only flee before the enemy (that they might do and yet make an orderly retreat), but they shall be scattered, some one way and some another. That which completes their misery is, I will show them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity. Our calamities may be easily borne if God look towards us, and smile upon us, when we are under them, if he countenance us and show us favour; but if he turn the back upon us, if he show himself displeased, if he be deaf to our prayers and refuse us his help, if he forsake us, leave us to ourselves, and stand at a distance from us, we are quite undone. If he hide his face, who then can behold him? Job 34:29. herein God would deal with them as they had dealt with him (Jer 2:27), They have turned their back unto me, and not their face. It is a righteous thing with God to show himself strange to those in the day of their trouble who have shown themselves rude and undutiful to him in their prosperity. This will have its full accomplishment in that day when God will say to those who, though they have been professors of piety, were yet workers of iniquity, Depart from me, I know you not, nay, I never knew you.
Who would not grieve over such things and say, “How is the faithful city become a harlot?” How would not the Lord say to some of those who are now walking in the spirit of Jeremiah, “Have you seen what the virgin of Israel has done to me?” I betrothed her to me in trust, in purity, in righteousness, in judgment, in pity, and in mercy; as I promised her through Hosea the prophet. But she loved strangers, and while I, her husband, was yet alive, she is called adulteress and is not afraid to belong to another husband.
(Vers. 11-13.) Now therefore say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Thus says the Lord: Behold, I am devising evil against you and devising a plan against you. Return everyone from his evil way, and amend your ways and your deeds. But they say, That is in vain! We will follow our own plans, and will every one act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart. Therefore, thus says the Lord: Inquire of the nations, who has heard such dreadful things, which the virgin of Israel has done exceedingly? The Lord fulfills the parable which He had taught by both His words and His appearance, and He says: Behold, I am devising evil against you, like a potter shaping clay. But the evil mentioned by Isaiah, who says, 'Making peace and creating evil' (Isa. 45:7), is not evil in itself, but appears as evil to those who suffer it. And I am pondering a plan against you, that is, to pass judgment according to your deserts. Change your ways, and direct your paths, so that punishment may be changed to prosperity. Those, he said, who have spoken otherwise: We will be strengthened, namely in evil works, or according to Aquila, we have despaired, and according to Symmachus, we have fallen away, both of which offend God; so that either he thinks he cannot be saved at all, or he has fallen away in his mind to appease God. And after our thoughts, he said, we will go. Where then is there free will without the grace of God, and judgment of one's own will, when it is a great offense to follow one's own thoughts and to do the will of an evil heart? Therefore he brings this forward, saying: Inquire of the nations, and all the nations around, who has done this, who has heard of serving idols, what great things the virgin Israel has done? And he calls her a virgin because she has served only one God, as the Prophet says: God is known in Judah, his name is great in Israel (Psalm 75:2).
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SUMMARY
Jeremiah 18:13 captures a profound divine lament, revealing the Lord's astonishment and deep grief over the unparalleled spiritual apostasy of the nation of Israel. God declares that Israel's actions are so egregious and contrary to their covenant relationship that even the pagan nations, who do not possess the knowledge of Yahweh, would be utterly shocked by such a betrayal. This powerful declaration underscores the profound depth of Israel's spiritual depravity and their deliberate rejection of divine truth, setting the stage for the inevitable pronouncement of judgment.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Jeremiah 18:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with maximum impact. The most prominent is the Rhetorical Question, "Ask ye now among the heathen, who hath heard such things?" This question is not posed to receive an answer but to emphatically highlight the unprecedented and utterly shocking nature of Israel's sin. It functions as a powerful indictment, underscoring the sheer anomaly of a chosen people betraying their God in a manner so profound that even ungodly nations would find it astonishing and incomprehensible. Another deeply significant device is Personification, where the nation of Israel is tenderly and intimately referred to as "the virgin of Israel." This imagery evokes the nation's initial purity, her unblemished beginning, and her exclusive covenant relationship with Yahweh. This tender portrayal makes her subsequent "horrible thing" a profoundly grievous act of spiritual adultery and defilement, akin to a pure bride betraying her devoted husband. Finally, the phrase "a very horrible thing" utilizes Hyperbole to underscore the extreme gravity, repulsiveness, and offensive nature of Israel's actions in God's eyes, conveying the depth of divine grief, indignation, and utter shock.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 18:13 profoundly speaks to the theological themes of covenant faithfulness, divine lament, and the nature of sin as spiritual adultery. God's expressed shock and grief reveal the deeply personal and intimate nature of His relationship with Israel, viewing their apostasy not merely as a breach of law but as a profound betrayal of intimate love and trust. The verse highlights that Israel's sin was particularly egregious and abhorrent precisely because it was committed by a people who had been uniquely chosen, miraculously delivered, and meticulously instructed by the one true God. Their widespread idolatry, syncretism, and moral corruption were a direct affront to God's holiness and an abandonment of the very source of their life, blessing, and national identity. It underscores the biblical truth that spiritual rebellion, especially from those who claim to know God, is an abomination in His sight, demanding a just and sorrowful response.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 18:13 serves as a sobering and convicting mirror for believers today, challenging us to deeply examine the authenticity, exclusivity, and unwavering nature of our devotion to God. Just as ancient Israel, a chosen people, committed a "horrible thing" by forsaking the living God for lifeless idols, so too can we, in our contemporary context, allow anything to subtly or overtly displace God from His rightful, supreme place in our hearts, affections, and priorities. This might not manifest as overt idol worship, but rather as the insidious idolatry of materialism, career ambition, personal comfort, self-reliance, the pursuit of worldly approval, or even ministry itself when pursued apart from genuine, intimate communion with Christ. The Lord desires our wholehearted, undivided devotion and faithfulness, a spiritual purity akin to the "virgin" He called Israel. This verse calls us to a renewed commitment to Christ, urging us to flee from all forms of spiritual complacency, compromise, and syncretism that might lead us to commit a "horrible thing" in His eyes by turning away from the fountain of living waters for broken cisterns that can hold no water.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What exactly was the "horrible thing" Israel had done?
Answer: The "horrible thing" refers primarily to Israel's widespread, persistent, and egregious idolatry, syncretism, and moral corruption. Despite being in a unique and sacred covenant relationship with Yahweh, they had adopted the worship of foreign gods (such as Baal, Molech, and Asherah), engaged in pagan rituals, and practiced severe social injustice. All of these actions were abominations to God and a direct violation of the first two commandments of the Decalogue. This was a profound betrayal of their identity as God's chosen people and a rejection of His exclusive claim on their worship and obedience. The prophet Jeremiah frequently condemns their forsaking of God, the "fountain of living waters," for "broken cisterns" (Jeremiah 2:13) that could not satisfy their spiritual thirst, highlighting the irrationality and severity of their spiritual infidelity.
Why is Israel referred to as "the virgin of Israel" in this context?
Answer: Calling Israel "the virgin of Israel" is a tender, intimate, and deeply symbolic personification that emphasizes the nation's original purity and exclusive devotion to Yahweh at the time of the Mosaic covenant. It highlights the sacred, unblemished relationship God intended to have with His people, akin to a pure bride pledged to her husband. By referring to her as a "virgin" who has committed a "horrible thing," the verse powerfully underscores the profound betrayal and spiritual defilement of this sacred bond. It likens Israel's apostasy to spiritual adultery or harlotry against her divine Husband, Yahweh. This poignant imagery amplifies God's immense grief and the shocking, unprecedented nature of their infidelity, making their sin all the more reprehensible given their privileged status.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 18:13, with its lament over Israel's unprecedented and shocking apostasy, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Israel, tenderly called "the virgin," was intended to be a pure and faithful bride to Yahweh, exclusively devoted to Him. Yet, she continually committed "horrible things" through rampant idolatry, disobedience, and covenant breaking, demonstrating her inability to maintain the old covenant. Christ, however, perfectly embodies the faithfulness and obedience that Israel tragically failed to maintain. He is the true and obedient Israel, the faithful Son who perfectly honors the Father in every way (John 8:29). Through His perfect life of obedience, His atoning death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection, Jesus inaugurated a new and better covenant, not predicated on human obedience, but on His finished work (Hebrews 8:6). He cleanses and presents His Church, the new Israel, as a pure and spotless bride to Himself, without blemish or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:25-27). In Christ, the "horrible thing" of human sin and spiritual adultery is fully atoned for, and believers are reconciled to God, no longer defined by their past betrayals but by their new identity as cherished members of His body, called to a life of true and unwavering devotion to Him who redeemed them (2 Corinthians 5:17).