Jeremiah 17

Trust in the LORD, not the arm of flesh

Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. Jeremiah 17:5–8

Whoever trusts in people withers like a desert shrub, but whoever trusts in the LORD stays green in drought, like a tree by a river. Nephi repeats this curse on trusting the arm of flesh, teaching that our trust belongs in the Lord.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• quoted by 2 Nephi 28:31 — 'Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm.'
• alluded to by 2 Nephi 4:34 — Nephi will not trust in the arm of flesh.
• alludes to Psalm 1:3 — The righteous are like a tree planted by rivers of water.

The LORD who searches the heart

I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. Jeremiah 17:10

Jehovah alone knows the deceitful human heart and judges each person by their actions. In Revelation the Son of God uses these very words of Himself, showing that Jesus Christ is the searcher of hearts and the Judge.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• alluded to by Revelation 2:18, 23 — The Son of God: 'I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.'
• the same title in John 5:22 — The Father has committed all judgment unto the Son.

The throne of the sanctuary

A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary. Jeremiah 17:12

The temple is the throne where the LORD dwelt, above the mercy seat between the cherubim. Hebrews invites us to come boldly to Christ's 'throne of grace.'

• alludes to Exodus 25:22 — The LORD meets His people from above the mercy seat.
• alluded to by Hebrews 4:14-16 — Through Jesus our high priest we come boldly unto the throne of grace.

Fountain of Living Waters

Fountain of living waters — the ever-flowing, life-giving spring, as opposed to stale cistern water

O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters. Jeremiah 17:13

Jehovah calls Himself the fountain of living waters, the source of life that Judah abandoned. Jesus claimed this role when He offered the woman at the well 'living water' and invited all who thirst to come unto Him and drink.

• the same title in Jeremiah 2:13 — 'They have forsaken me the fountain of living waters.'
• alluded to by John 4:10, 14 — Jesus offers living water, springing up into everlasting life.
• alluded to by John 7:37-38 — 'If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.'
• the same title in 1 Nephi 11:25 — The fountain of living waters is a representation of the love of God, shown in the Son.
• the same title in Jeremiah 14:8 — 'O the hope of Israel.'

Written in the earth

O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters. Jeremiah 17:13

Names written in the dust quickly disappear. Since the early Church, some readers have connected this verse with Jesus stooping to write on the ground when the woman's accusers came to condemn her, as if the LORD of Jeremiah 17 were silently writing their names in the earth.

• alluded to by John 8:6-9 — Jesus writes with His finger on the ground and the accusers depart; traditional, not explicit.

The LORD who heals and saves

Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise. Jeremiah 17:14

Jeremiah trusts that if the LORD heals, the healing is real, and if He saves, the saving is sure. Jesus Christ is the Healer and Savior, who promises to heal all who return to Him.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• alluded to by 3 Nephi 9:13 — Christ: 'will ye not now return unto me... that I may heal you?'

Jehovah, Giver of the Sabbath

Thus saith the LORD; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; Jeremiah 17:21–22

Jehovah gave the Sabbath commandment to Israel and renews it here. Jesus declared that the Son of Man is Lord also of the Sabbath; the God who gave it is the one who came in the flesh.

• alludes to Exodus 20:8-10 — 'Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.'
• the same title in Mark 2:27-28 — 'The Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.'

The throne of David for ever

Then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and this city shall remain for ever. Jeremiah 17:25

The promise of David's throne and a city that stands forever depends on Judah's obedience and was never lasting under the kings. It finds its true fulfillment in Jesus, the Son of David, who was given the throne of David to reign for ever.

• alludes to 2 Samuel 7:16 — David's throne 'shall be established for ever.'
• fulfilled by Luke 1:32-33 — Jesus receives 'the throne of his father David' and reigns for ever.