Jeremiah 5:29

Commentary on Jeremiah 5:29 KJV

Jeremiah 5:29 is a powerful and sobering rhetorical question from God, delivered through the prophet Jeremiah to the nation of Judah. It encapsulates God's righteous indignation and His unwavering commitment to justice in the face of widespread national sin.

Context

This verse is found within a section of Jeremiah's prophecy (chapters 2-6) where the prophet vividly describes the moral and spiritual decay of Judah and Jerusalem. Despite God's persistent calls to repentance, the people had stubbornly persisted in idolatry, injustice, and corruption. They had become a "rebellious and a revolting people" (Jeremiah 5:23), rejecting the Lord's law and oppressing the poor and needy. The preceding verses in chapter 5 detail their deceit, lack of truth, and particularly their exploitative practices. God's question in verse 29 serves as a climax, underscoring the inevitability of divine judgment after such persistent wickedness.

Key Themes

• Divine Justice and Retribution: The core message is God's absolute commitment to justice. He is not indifferent to sin, especially when it becomes systemic and unrepentant within a nation. The rhetorical questions emphasize that His judgment is not only warranted but necessary.
• Consequences of Persistent Sin: The verse highlights that continuous rebellion against God's commands and moral standards inevitably leads to severe consequences. Judah's spiritual adultery and social injustices warranted divine intervention.
• God's Sovereignty and Authority: The declaration "saith the LORD" reaffirms God's supreme authority to execute judgment. He is the ultimate judge, and His "soul" being avenged signifies a deep, righteous displeasure with the nation's actions.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "visit" here is paqad (פָּקַד), which has a broad range of meanings. While it can mean to visit for blessing, in this context, it clearly denotes a visitation for the purpose of inspection and punishment. It implies a divine reckoning, where God holds the nation accountable for its deeds.

The term "avenged" comes from the Hebrew naqam (נָקַם), which refers to taking vengeance or meting out punishment. This is not human vindictiveness, but a righteous, judicial act by God to uphold His holiness and justice, ensuring that sin does not go unpunished. It is a necessary act to restore moral order and demonstrate the seriousness of breaking covenant with Him.

Related Scriptures

This rhetorical question underscores God's commitment to upholding His perfect justice and righteousness. The repeated 'shall I not' echoes the divine resolve to bring consequences upon a people who had forsaken Him for idolatry and injustice. The severity of this judgment is further illustrated in passages like Lamentations 2:2, which describes the fulfillment of such pronouncements.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 5:29 serves as a timeless warning. It reminds us that God is holy and just, and sin, whether individual or corporate, has consequences. While God is patient and merciful, His patience is not infinite. This verse calls us to:

• Examine Ourselves: Are there areas of injustice, idolatry, or rebellion in our lives or societies that warrant God's righteous displeasure?
• Seek Repentance: Understanding God's character as a just judge should drive us to sincere repentance and a turning away from sin.
• Trust in God's Justice: Even when evil seems to prevail, this verse assures us that God sees and will ultimately bring all things to account. For believers, the good news is that God's wrath against sin was poured out on Christ, offering forgiveness and reconciliation through faith (Romans 5:8).