TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Jeremiah 18:11–17. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
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.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
(Verse 15) Because my people have forgotten me, offering sacrifices in vain and stumbling in their ways, in the paths of the world (or eternal) in order to walk through them on an untrodden journey. Whoever forgets God and forsakes him, who says: 'I am the way' (John 14:6); offers sacrifices to foreign gods, stumbles in his own ways, not God's, and forsakes the ancient and eternal paths, which are trodden by the footsteps of all who worship God. But these truly have walked on an untrodden path, and having abandoned the worship of God, they have revered idols, for which the punishment that follows is inflicted.
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Summary
Jeremiah 18:15 delivers a poignant indictment against the people of Judah, exposing their profound spiritual amnesia and deliberate abandonment of their covenant relationship with Yahweh. This forgetfulness manifested in widespread idolatry, as they offered worship to worthless entities, and a radical deviation from the divinely established, righteous "ancient paths." Consequently, they chose a perilous, uncultivated way of life, leading them into spiritual and moral instability, and ultimately, toward divine judgment.
Context
Literary Context
Jeremiah 18:15 is strategically placed immediately following the profound "Potter and Clay" analogy (Jeremiah 18:1-12). In this preceding passage, God vividly illustrates His sovereign right to shape nations and His willingness to alter His plans based on a nation's repentance or persistent disobedience. He declares that if a nation turns from evil, He will relent from judgment; conversely, if a nation persists in wickedness, He will withdraw His blessing. Verse 15 directly follows God's lament over Judah's stubborn refusal to heed His warnings and repent (Jeremiah 18:13-14). It articulates the specific nature of their rebellion—their spiritual forgetfulness and embrace of idolatry—which directly contradicts the principles of the potter's prerogative and sets the stage for the inevitable consequences of their unresponsiveness, as further detailed in Jeremiah's subsequent prophecies of judgment and exile.
Historical & Cultural Context
Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah (late 7th to early 6th century BCE). Despite Josiah's reforms, idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal, Asherah, and other Canaanite deities, remained deeply entrenched among the people, often blended with Yahweh worship. The practice of "burning incense to vanity" (Jeremiah 18:15) refers to these widespread cultic activities, which involved offerings and rituals to false gods on high places and in the valleys (e.g., in the Valley of Hinnom, as described in Jeremiah 7:31). Culturally, the "ancient paths" (Jeremiah 18:15) would have referred to the foundational covenant laws and traditions established by God through Moses, which guided Israel's moral, social, and religious life (e.g., the commands to love God and teach His statutes found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9). Their abandonment of these paths signified a profound rejection of their national identity and divine heritage, leading to societal decay and spiritual corruption amidst the geopolitical pressures from rising Babylonian power.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in the book of Jeremiah. Foremost is the theme of apostasy and covenant infidelity, highlighting Israel's deliberate turning away from Yahweh, their covenant Lord, despite His persistent grace and warnings. This "forgetting" is not mere amnesia but a conscious rejection of God's commands and presence, leading to idolatry and vain worship, where their devotion is directed toward powerless, empty deities. The verse also underscores the theme of divine sovereignty and justice, as God, the divine Potter, responds to their unfaithfulness with impending judgment. Finally, it emphasizes the consequences of disobedience, vividly contrasting the safe, established "ancient paths" of God's wisdom (as called for in Jeremiah 6:16) with the dangerous, "uncast up" paths they chose, symbolizing the inherent instability and peril of living outside God's will.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This word (H7911) signifies more than a simple lapse of memory; it denotes a deliberate act of neglect, abandonment, or disregard. In the context of the covenant, to "forget" God means to cease to acknowledge His authority, His commands, and His very existence as the sovereign Lord of Israel. It implies a conscious turning away from the relationship and the obligations it entailed, leading to a profound spiritual and moral decline.
The term (H7723) carries the sense of emptiness, worthlessness, futility, and deception. When applied to idols, it emphasizes their non-existence or powerlessness, contrasting sharply with the living God. Burning incense to "vanity" means offering worship, devotion, and sacrifice to that which is ultimately illusory, incapable of delivering any true benefit or salvation, and inherently destructive. It highlights the utter foolishness and spiritual barrenness of idolatry.
This term (H1870), along with its synonyms in the verse, conveys the idea of a course of life or mode of action. The "ancient paths" represent God's established, righteous, and safe way of living, often associated with His law and covenant. In contrast, the "way not cast up" refers to an unpaved, unbuilt, or unprepared road, symbolizing a chaotic, dangerous, and ultimately unsustainable journey chosen by the people, leading to stumbling and ruin.
Verse Breakdown
"Because my people hath forgotten me"
This clause reveals the root cause of Judah's spiritual malady. Their "forgetting" is not a mere lapse of memory but a deliberate act of covenant infidelity, a turning away from the God who delivered them and established a relationship with them. It signifies a profound disregard for His commands, His character, and His very presence in their lives.
"they have burned incense to vanity"
This describes the direct consequence of their forgetfulness: widespread idolatry. "Vanity" refers to false gods and idols, which are empty, powerless, and ultimately worthless. The act of burning incense signifies worship and devotion, indicating that Judah had redirected their allegiance and worship from the living God to non-existent or demonic entities.
"and they have caused them to stumble in their ways [from] the ancient paths"
This highlights the disastrous impact of their idolatry and forgetfulness. By abandoning God, they departed from the "ancient paths"—the well-trodden, divinely ordained ways of righteousness, truth, and life established through God's law and covenant. This deviation led them to stumble, losing their moral and spiritual footing, and falling into sin and error.
"to walk in paths, [in] a way not cast up"
This vividly portrays the chaotic and perilous nature of the life they chose. Unlike a "cast up" or well-prepared highway, their chosen "paths" were unpaved, dangerous, and treacherous. This imagery symbolizes the instability, confusion, and ultimate ruin that result from rejecting God's clear guidance and pursuing self-devised, unrighteous ways.
Literary Devices
Jeremiah 18:15 is rich in Metaphor and Contrast. The central metaphor is that of "paths" or "ways" representing life choices and spiritual adherence. The "ancient paths" symbolize the established, righteous, and safe way of life prescribed by God's law and covenant, implying wisdom, stability, and divine favor. This is sharply contrasted with "paths, in a way not cast up," which metaphorically describe a dangerous, unpaved, and treacherous journey, symbolizing the chaotic, unstable, and ultimately destructive consequences of spiritual rebellion and idolatry. This Contrast between the two types of paths underscores the stark choice Judah made and the inherent peril of abandoning divine wisdom for human folly. The phrase "burned incense to vanity" also employs Metonymy, where "vanity" stands for the idols themselves, emphasizing their emptiness and worthlessness as objects of worship and highlighting the profound spiritual delusion of those who worship them.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Jeremiah 18:15 profoundly articulates the theological truth that spiritual forgetfulness of God inevitably leads to idolatry and a deviation from righteous living. It underscores the concept of covenant fidelity, where Israel's relationship with Yahweh was meant to be exclusive and based on remembrance and obedience. Their turning to "vanity" highlights the biblical understanding that anything or anyone worshipped in place of God is an idol, ultimately offering nothing but emptiness and destruction. The "ancient paths" represent God's unchanging moral and spiritual standards, emphasizing that true wisdom and security are found only in adhering to His revealed will, not in pursuing novel or self-serving ways. The consequences of abandoning these paths are severe, demonstrating God's justice in allowing His people to experience the natural outcome of their sinful choices.
Reflection and Application
Jeremiah 18:15 serves as a timeless and urgent warning for believers today. In a world saturated with distractions and competing allegiances, it challenges us to examine what we truly "remember" and prioritize. "Forgetting God" in our contemporary context can manifest not just as overt idolatry, but as subtle neglect of spiritual disciplines, prioritizing worldly success, material possessions, or fleeting pleasures over a vibrant relationship with Christ. We are called to continuously discern and walk in the "ancient paths" of God's Word—the enduring truths of Scripture, the wisdom of His commands, and the example of Christ—rather than succumbing to the "paths not cast up" of cultural trends, self-serving philosophies, or moral relativism that promise freedom but lead to spiritual confusion and moral compromise. This verse compels us to a life of intentional remembrance, faithful worship, and steadfast obedience to the One true God, ensuring our devotion is not directed toward any form of "vanity."
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does it mean for God's people to have "forgotten" Him?
This "forgetting" (Hebrew: shâkach) is not mere amnesia but a profound spiritual and relational failure. It signifies a deliberate act of neglect, abandonment, and disregard for God's covenant, His commands, and His very presence. For Israel, it meant turning away from the exclusive relationship they had with Yahweh, who had delivered them from slavery and established them as His chosen people. It implies a conscious rejection of their identity as God's people and the obligations that came with that relationship, leading to moral decay and spiritual rebellion, as seen in their turn to idolatry (e.g., Judges 3:7).
What is meant by "burned incense to vanity"?
"Vanity" (Hebrew: shâvᵉʼ) refers to idols, false gods, and anything that is empty, worthless, futile, or deceptive. Burning incense was an act of worship and devotion. Therefore, "burning incense to vanity" means offering worship, sacrifices, and allegiance to non-existent deities or powerless idols, rather than to the one true God. This highlights the utter foolishness and spiritual barrenness of idolatry, as these "gods" could offer nothing of substance or salvation (e.g., Isaiah 44:9-20).
What are the "ancient paths" and "a way not cast up"?
The "ancient paths" (Hebrew: netivot olam) refer to the long-established, time-tested, and divinely ordained ways of righteousness, truth, and life. These are the foundational principles and commands given by God through His covenant, offering wisdom, stability, and blessing (as urged in Jeremiah 6:16). In contrast, "a way not cast up" (Hebrew: lo mesillah) describes an unpaved, unbuilt, or unprepared road. This metaphorically represents a chaotic, dangerous, and treacherous path, symbolizing the instability, confusion, and ultimate ruin that result from rejecting God's clear guidance and pursuing self-devised, unrighteous ways. It's a path without divine foundation or preparation, leading to stumbling and destruction.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Jeremiah 18:15, with its lament over Israel's spiritual amnesia and deviation from the "ancient paths" to walk in "a way not cast up," finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. Humanity's fundamental problem, as highlighted in Jeremiah, is forgetting God and choosing self-devised, idolatrous paths that lead to ruin. Jesus, however, declares Himself to be "the way, and the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), embodying the very "ancient path" that Israel abandoned. He is the true object of worship, the antithesis of "vanity," for in Him "all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" (Colossians 1:19). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ addresses the "forgetfulness" of God by restoring humanity to a right relationship with the Father, making it possible for us to know God intimately and walk in His ways (e.g., under the New Covenant, as promised in Hebrews 8:10-12). He not only reveals the true path but also empowers believers, through the Holy Spirit, to walk in it, transforming chaotic, "uncast up" lives into ones built on the solid foundation of His grace and truth, prepared for good works (Ephesians 2:10). Thus, Christ is the perfect answer to the spiritual crisis described in Jeremiah, offering the only true way back to God and a life of purpose and security.