Jeremiah 7:19
But am I the One they are provoking? declares the LORD. Is it not themselves they spite, to their own shame?
But am I the One they are provoking?
In this rhetorical question, God addresses the people of Judah through the prophet Jeremiah. The context is a rebuke of their idolatrous practices and false worship. Historically, Judah had fallen into the worship of foreign gods, which was a direct violation of the covenant established at Sinai (Exodus 20:3-5). This phrase highlights God's personal involvement and the relational aspect of the covenant. The provocation is not just against a set of rules but against God Himself, who desires a faithful relationship with His people. This echoes the sentiment found in Deuteronomy 32:21, where God speaks of being provoked to anger by the people's idolatry.

declares the LORD.
This phrase emphasizes the authority and certainty of the message. The use of "declares the LORD" is a common prophetic formula that underscores the divine origin of the message. It assures the audience that these are not merely Jeremiah's words but the very words of God. This divine declaration is a reminder of God's sovereignty and His right to judge His people. It also connects to the broader biblical theme of God as the ultimate judge and lawgiver, as seen in passages like Isaiah 33:22.

Is it not themselves they spite,
Here, the focus shifts to the self-destructive nature of Judah's actions. By turning to idolatry, the people are not harming God but themselves. This reflects the biblical principle that sin ultimately leads to self-destruction (Proverbs 8:36). The historical context shows that Judah's idolatry led to social injustice, moral decay, and eventually, national ruin. This phrase serves as a warning that sin carries inherent consequences, aligning with the wisdom literature's teachings on the folly of rejecting God's ways (Proverbs 1:31).

to their own shame?
The concept of shame in the ancient Near Eastern context is significant. Shame was not just a personal feeling but a social condition that affected one's standing in the community. By engaging in idolatry, the people of Judah brought disgrace upon themselves, both in the eyes of God and among the nations. This phrase also points to the prophetic theme of Israel's shame due to unfaithfulness, as seen in Ezekiel 16:52. Theologically, it underscores the idea that sin leads to dishonor and separation from God, contrasting with the honor and glory found in obedience and faithfulness to Him.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah. He is addressing the people's idolatry and rebellion.

2. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and judgment to the people of Judah. His ministry was marked by calls to repentance and warnings of impending disaster due to the people's unfaithfulness.

3. The People of Judah
The audience of Jeremiah's message, who were engaging in idolatrous practices and provoking God through their disobedience.

4. The Temple in Jerusalem
The central place of worship for the Israelites, which had become a place of false security for the people who believed that God's presence there would protect them despite their sins.

5. Idolatry and Rebellion
The specific sins being addressed, where the people of Judah were worshiping other gods and engaging in practices contrary to God's commands.
Teaching Points
The Futility of Idolatry
Idolatry is ultimately self-destructive. When we turn away from God, we harm ourselves more than we affect Him.

Self-Deception in Sin
Sin often involves self-deception, where we believe we can live contrary to God's will without consequences. Jeremiah reminds us that this leads to our own shame.

God's Righteous Anger
God's anger is not arbitrary but a response to the violation of His covenant and the harm it causes to His people.

The Call to Repentance
True repentance involves recognizing the self-destructive nature of sin and turning back to God for restoration.

The Importance of Obedience
Obedience to God is not just about following rules but about aligning ourselves with His will for our good and His glory.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Jeremiah 7:19 illustrate the self-destructive nature of sin, and how can we apply this understanding to our own lives?

2. In what ways do we see modern parallels to the idolatry and rebellion of the people of Judah in our society today?

3. How can we guard against self-deception in our spiritual lives, ensuring that we are not provoking God to our own detriment?

4. What steps can we take to ensure that our worship and devotion are directed solely towards God, avoiding the pitfalls of idolatry?

5. How does understanding God's righteous anger towards sin help us appreciate His call to repentance and the offer of forgiveness through Christ?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 32:21
This verse speaks of God being provoked to anger by the people's idolatry, similar to the context in Jeremiah 7:19.

1 Samuel 12:21
This passage warns against turning aside to empty things that cannot profit or deliver, which connects to the futility of idolatry mentioned in Jeremiah.

Romans 1:21-23
Paul describes humanity's tendency to exchange the glory of God for images, paralleling the idolatry condemned in Jeremiah.
The Recoil of SinS. Conway Jeremiah 7:19
The Relations of Righteousness and ReligionS. Conway Jeremiah 7:1-34
Rising Up EarlyA.F. Muir Jeremiah 7:13, 25
Idolatry a Detailed Insult to JehovahA.F. Muir Jeremiah 7:17-20
People
Ben, Jeremiah
Places
Egypt, Jerusalem, Shiloh, Topheth, Valley of Hinnom, Valley of Slaughter, Zion
Topics
Affirmation, Anger, Confusion, Declares, Face, Faces, Harming, Moving, Provoke, Provoking, Rather, Says, Shame, Spite, Themselves, Wrath
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 7:17-19

     6218   provoking God

Library
An Earnest Warning About Lukewarmness
I should judge that the church at Laodicea was once in a very fervent and healthy condition. Paul wrote a letter to it which did not claim inspiration, and therefore its loss does not render the Scriptures incomplete, for Paul may have written scores of other letters besides. Paul also mentions the church at Laodicea in his letter to the church at Colosse; he was, therefore, well acquainted with it, and as he does not utter a word of censure with regard to it, we may infer that the church was at
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 20: 1874

The Sinner Stripped of his Vain Pleas.
1, 2. The vanity of those pleas which sinners may secretly confide in, is so apparent that they will be ashamed at last to mention them before God.--3. Such as, that they descended from pious us parents.--4. That they had attended to the speculative part of religion.--5. That they had entertained sound notion..--6, 7. That they had expressed a zealous regard to religion, and attended the outward forms of worship with those they apprehended the purest churches.--8. That they had been free from gross
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

The Life of Mr. Hugh Binning.
There being a great demand for the several books that are printed under Mr. Binning's name, it was judged proper to undertake a new and correct impression of them in one volume. This being done, the publishers were much concerned to have the life of such an useful and eminent minister of Christ written, in justice to his memory, and his great services in the work of the gospel, that it might go along with this impression. We living now at so great distance from the time wherein he made a figure in
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Valley of Hinnom.
A great part of the valley of Kedron was called also the 'Valley of Hinnom.' Jeremiah, going forth into the valley of Hinnom, went out by the gate "Hacharsith, the Sun-gate," Jeremiah 19:2; that is, the Rabbins and others being interpreters, 'by the East-gate.' For thence was the beginning of the valley of Hinnom, which, after some space, bending itself westward, ran out along the south side of the city. There is no need to repeat those very many things, which are related of this place in the Old
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The Knowledge that God Is, Combined with the Knowledge that He is to be Worshipped.
John iv. 24.--"God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." There are two common notions engraven on the hearts of all men by nature,--that God is, and that he must be worshipped, and these two live and die together, they are clear, or blotted together. According as the apprehension of God is clear, and distinct, and more deeply engraven on the soul, so is this notion of man's duty of worshipping God clear and imprinted on the soul, and whenever the actions
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Everlasting Covenant of the Spirit
"They shall be My people, and l will be their God. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from Me."--JER. xxxii. 38, 40. "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants

Whether a Vow Should Always be About a Better Good?
Objection 1: It would seem that a vow need not be always about a better good. A greater good is one that pertains to supererogation. But vows are not only about matters of supererogation, but also about matters of salvation: thus in Baptism men vow to renounce the devil and his pomps, and to keep the faith, as a gloss observes on Ps. 75:12, "Vow ye, and pay to the Lord your God"; and Jacob vowed (Gn. 28:21) that the Lord should be his God. Now this above all is necessary for salvation. Therefore
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of Alexander the Great to the Accession of Herod
The political connection of the Grecian world, and, with it, the conflict with Hellenism, may be said to have connected with the victorious progress of Alexander the Great through the then known world (333 b.c.). [6326] It was not only that his destruction of the Persian empire put an end to the easy and peaceful allegiance which Judæa had owned to it for about two centuries, but that the establishment of such a vast Hellenic empire. as was the aim of Alexander, introduced a new element into
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Obedience
Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments.' Deut 27: 9, 10. What is the duty which God requireth of man? Obedience to his revealed will. It is not enough to hear God's voice, but we must obey. Obedience is a part of the honour we owe to God. If then I be a Father, where is my honour?' Mal 1: 6. Obedience carries in it the life-blood of religion. Obey the voice of the Lord
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Christian Worship,
PART I In the early days of the Gospel, while the Christians were generally poor, and when they were obliged to meet in fear of the heathen, their worship was held in private houses and sometimes in burial-places under-ground. But after a time buildings were expressly set apart for worship. It has been mentioned that in the years of quiet, between the death of Valerian and the last persecution (A D. 261-303) these churches were built much more handsomely than before, and were furnished with gold
J. C. Roberston—Sketches of Church History, from AD 33 to the Reformation

Some General Uses from this Useful Truth, that Christ is the Truth.
Having thus cleared up this truth, we should come to speak of the way of believers making use of him as the truth, in several cases wherein they will stand in need of him as the truth. But ere we come to the particulars, we shall first propose some general uses of this useful point. First. This point of truth serveth to discover unto us, the woful condition of such as are strangers to Christ the truth; and oh, if it were believed! For, 1. They are not yet delivered from that dreadful plague of
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

First Ministry in Judæa --John's Second Testimony.
(Judæa and Ænon.) ^D John III. 22-36. ^d 22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judæa [That is, he left Jerusalem, the capital of Judæa, and went into the rural districts thereof. We find him there again in John xi. and Luke xiii.-xviii. He gained disciples there, but of them we know but few, such as Mary, Martha, Lazarus, Simeon, and Judas Iscariot]; and there he tarried with them [It is not stated how long he tarried, but it may have been from
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Barren Fig-Tree. Temple Cleansed.
(Road from Bethany and Jerusalem. Monday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXI. 18, 19, 12, 13; ^B Mark XI. 12-18; ^C Luke XIX. 45-48. ^b 12 And ^a 18 Now ^b on the morrow [on the Monday following the triumphal entry], ^a in the morning ^b when they were come out from Bethany, ^a as he returned to the city [Jerusalem], he hungered. [Breakfast with the Jews came late in the forenoon, and these closing days of our Lord's ministry were full of activity that did not have time to tarry at Bethany for it. Our
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Concerning the Ministry.
Concerning the Ministry. As by the light or gift of God all true knowledge in things spiritual is received and revealed, so by the same, as it is manifested and received in the heart, by the strength and power thereof, every true minister of the gospel is ordained, prepared, and supplied in the work of the ministry; and by the leading, moving, and drawing hereof ought every evangelist and Christian pastor to be led and ordered in his labour and work of the gospel, both as to the place where, as to
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

The Scriptures Reveal Eternal Life through Jesus Christ
John v. 39--"Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me." Eph. ii. 20--"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets." As in darkness there is need of a lantern without and the light of the eyes within--for neither can we see in darkness without some lamp though we have never so good eyes, nor yet see without eyes, though in never so clear a sunshine--so there is absolute need for the guiding of our feet in the dangerous
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"To what Purpose is the Multitude of Your Sacrifices unto Me? Saith the Lord,"
Isaiah i. 11.--"To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord," &c. This is the word he calls them to hear and a strange word. Isaiah asks, What mean your sacrifices? God will not have them. I think the people would say in their own hearts, What means the prophet? What would the Lord be at? Do we anything but what he commanded us? Is he angry at us for obeying him? What means this word? Is he not repealing the statute and ordinance he had made in Israel? If he had reproved
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"All Our Righteousnesses are as Filthy Rags, and we all do Fade as a Leaf, and Our Iniquities, Like the Wind, have Taken us Away. "
Isaiah lxiv. 6, 7.--"All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Not only are the direct breaches of the command uncleanness, and men originally and actually unclean, but even our holy actions, our commanded duties. Take a man's civility, religion, and all his universal inherent righteousness,--all are filthy rags. And here the church confesseth nothing but what God accuseth her of, Isa. lxvi. 8, and chap. i. ver.
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Covenanting a Duty.
The exercise of Covenanting with God is enjoined by Him as the Supreme Moral Governor of all. That his Covenant should be acceded to, by men in every age and condition, is ordained as a law, sanctioned by his high authority,--recorded in his law of perpetual moral obligation on men, as a statute decreed by him, and in virtue of his underived sovereignty, promulgated by his command. "He hath commanded his covenant for ever."[171] The exercise is inculcated according to the will of God, as King and
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Motives to Holy Mourning
Let me exhort Christians to holy mourning. I now persuade to such a mourning as will prepare the soul for blessedness. Oh that our hearts were spiritual limbecs, distilling the water of holy tears! Christ's doves weep. They that escape shall be like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity' (Ezekiel 7:16). There are several divine motives to holy mourning: 1 Tears cannot be put to a better use. If you weep for outward losses, you lose your tears. It is like a shower
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Letter ii (A. D. 1126) to the Monk Adam
To the Monk Adam [3] 1. If you remain yet in that spirit of charity which I either knew or believed to be with you formerly, you would certainly feel the condemnation with which charity must regard the scandal which you have given to the weak. For charity would not offend charity, nor scorn when it feels itself offended. For it cannot deny itself, nor be divided against itself. Its function is rather to draw together things divided; and it is far from dividing those that are joined. Now, if that
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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