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Jer. 19:1 ¶ Thus saith the LORD, Go and get a potter’s earthen bottle, and take of the ancients of the people, and of the ancients of the priests;

Jer. 19:2 And go forth unto the valley of the son of Hinnom, which is by the entry of the east gate, and proclaim there the words that I shall tell thee,

Jer. 19:3 And say, Hear ye the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, the which whosoever heareth, his ears shall tingle.

This chapter begins with the LORD instructing Jeremiah in yet another object lesson. He is to go and get a piece of pottery, a clay jar, and then get some of the older leaders of the people and the priests to go with him to the valley of the son of Hinnom that is outside one of the eastern gates. This valley is notorious as the place of child sacrifices to the god Molech. The following quotes are in reference to wicked King Manasseh and good King Josiah respectively.

2 Chronicles 33:6 “And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom….”

2 Kings 23:10 “And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.”

Once they arrive at that location he is to declare his message from the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel.

It was interesting to note that the Hebrew for “bottle” stated, “a bottle (from the gurgling in emptying).” It could be that the reference is to a filled bottle that will create a more vivid visual reference when the bottle is broken and he makes application to the intended message.

I believe the title “the LORD of hosts” is meant to draw attention to God’s power and authority. The reference to “the God of Israel” is meant to remind them of their distinct position among the nations as God’s chosen people. The message is addressed to the “kings of Judah” and the people living in Jerusalem.

The message—God is going to bring evil upon Jerusalem, an evil that should terrify those to whom it is delivered. The Hebrew for “tingle” also makes reference to causing the ears to redden with shame; in other words, the hearers should be ashamed that their actions had resulted in such a declaration from their God.

Jer. 19:4 Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents;

Jer. 19:5 They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind:

Jer. 19:6 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that this place shall no more be called Tophet, nor The valley of the son of Hinnom, but The valley of slaughter.

These verses detail the reason for God’s message of judgment.

• The people had forsaken Him; they had deliberately chosen to disobey the God of Israel.

• They no longer honored the God of Israel with their actions; they had estranged the land by changing its original use as a place to honor God to a place where they burned incense in honor of false gods.

• They had filled this valley with the blood of innocents—a reference to the child sacrifices mentioned in the verses above and detailed in verse 5.

The LORD is emphatic in declaring that the sacrifice of children was never even a thought in His mind as being acceptable to Him. Though I find no biblical support for such a conclusion, I tend to think this statement was made in rebuke of those who might have tried to justify their sacrifices in light of God’s testing of Abraham regarding his willingness to be submissive to the LORD and sacrifice Isaac whether it made sense to him or not. That would be similar to how the false teachers in the church today twist the truth of God’s word to promote their own purposes.

I was listening to Stephen Meyer re the reliability of the scripture, and he made a comment regarding verse 5 that enlightened me.  My understanding of his statement:  He understood God to be saying that He never gave a commandment against the sacrifice of children because it never entered His mind that they would sink so low as to participate in such practices.  (cf 32:35)  My thoughts:  In light of God’s omniscience, I think we need to understand that the LORD is speaking on a human level of thinking.  In light of all God’s other commands, it would seem unthinkable that the Israelites could ever consider such a practice justified or reasonable.

We can see from the reference from 2Kings 23 above and verse 6 that Molech and Baal were different names used in reference to one false god.

The LORD declares through Jeremiah that in the future this valley would be known as “The Valley of Slaughter.” The obvious reference would be to the great number of the people of Jerusalem and Judah that would be killed by the enemy as a result of God’s judgment.

Jer. 19:7 And I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place; and I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies, and by the hands of them that seek their lives: and their carcases will I give to be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.

I think the NLT translation is much simpler to understand: “For I will upset the battle plans of Judah and Jerusalem and let invading armies slaughter them. The enemy will leave the dead bodies as food for the vultures and wild animals.”

The NLT seems to take a little emphasis off of one very important point—the fact that it is the LORD who will give the enemy of Judah and Jerusalem success, and it is the LORD who will feed the carnivorous birds and the wild beasts with the dead carcasses of the people.

This treatment of the dead corpses just adds to the shame of the people. In my mind it is another aspect of reaping what they have sown. They had used this valley for idol worship showing great disregard for the lives of their children, and now the LORD will treat them with the same contempt.

Jer. 19:8 And I will make this city desolate, and an hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished and hiss because of all the plagues thereof.

The LORD goes on to declare through His prophet that Jerusalem will be ruined and become a place that will cause the heathen nations to look upon the people with scorn. The extent of the destruction will astonish all who see it.

Jer. 19:9 And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they shall eat every one the flesh of his friend in the siege and straitness, wherewith their enemies, and they that seek their lives, shall straiten them.

The LORD is going to make their circumstances so desperate through the siege of the enemy that they will turn to cannibalism. This is a prophecy that is more than this mom can imagine, but there is no reason not to take this prophecy literally. Scripture records that circumstances were just as horrendous when Benhadad, King of Assyria, besieged Samaria.

2 Kings 6:25–29 “And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass’s head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove’s dung for five pieces of silver. And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, there cried a woman unto him, saying, Help, my lord, O king. And he said, If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress? And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow. So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.”

Jeremiah’s Lamentation seems to be referencing the fulfillment of this prophecy.

Lamentations 2:20 “Behold, O LORD, and consider to whom thou hast done this. Shall the women eat their fruit, and children of a span long?”

Jer. 19:10 ¶ Then shalt thou break the bottle in the sight of the men that go with thee,

Jer. 19:11 And shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Even so will I break this people and this city, as one breaketh a potter’s vessel, that cannot be made whole again: and they shall bury them in Tophet, till there be no place to bury.

At this point Jeremiah is instructed to break the bottle in front of his witnesses and tell them that the LORD is going to the break the city and its people just as surely as Jeremiah had broken the bottle. Jeremiah was to be sure to break the bottle in such a way that it was beyond repair—just as the city and its people were beyond restoration. The LORD would start over with a new generation.

The decreed destruction would result in Tophet, the Valley of Hinnom, becoming their burial ground; in fact, they will run out of space needed for burials.

Jer. 19:12 Thus will I do unto this place, saith the LORD, and to the inhabitants thereof, and even make this city as Tophet:

Jer. 19:13 And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Tophet, because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods.

The LORD goes on to emphasize that this destruction will happen because of His decree. The enemy would not succeed except through His empowerment. The LORD had set Jerusalem apart as the location of the temple, the place that was associated with His name as the God of Israel.

1 Kings 8:26–29 “And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father. But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded? Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day: That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.”

Instead of protecting the honor of God’s name, the people had chosen to reject Him and show honor to the false gods of the heathen nations. They had been led into such actions by their kings. God had been clear with His people from the very beginning that He is a jealous God.

Exodus 34:14 “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:”

Deuteronomy 4:24 “For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.”

Deuteronomy 6:14–15 “Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.”

Jer. 19:14 Then came Jeremiah from Tophet, whither the LORD had sent him to prophesy; and he stood in the court of the LORD’S house; and said to all the people,

Jer. 19:15 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon all her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have hardened their necks, that they might not hear my words.

After delivering his object lesson to the chosen witnesses in the valley of Hinnom, Jeremiah went to the temple court to declare to all the people that God is going to judge Jerusalem/Judah because they have refused to listen to His prophet. They have hardened their necks, a picture from the Hebrew of turning their back on the God of Israel. They have purposely chosen to break covenant with their God and turn to the worship of false gods. They refuse to repent when confronted with their sins and the opportunity to seek God’s mercy.

Jer. 20:1 ¶ Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things.

Jer. 20:2 Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks  that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD.

These verses flow right in context from the previous chapter. Pashur the son of Immer the priest, the person in authority over the temple, heard Jeremiah’s prophecy at the temple courts. He didn’t like what he heard. He used his authority to personally strike Jeremiah and have him put in stocks (painful and humiliating) in public view at the gate of Benjamin. The Benjamin Gate is either a reference to one of the temple entrances or to the gate of the city that was close to the northern entry to the temple complex. The Hebrew does allow the possibility that “the stocks” was just a term for prison; however, in chapter 29 Jeremiah uses the terms more specifically.

Jeremiah 29:26 “The LORD hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that ye should be officers in the house of the LORD, for every man that is mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest put him in prison, and in the stocks.”

Jer. 20:3 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Pashur brought forth Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then said Jeremiah unto him, The LORD hath not called thy name Pashur, but Magormissabib.

Jer. 20:4 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends: and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and thine eyes shall behold it: and I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive into Babylon, and shall slay them with the sword.

The next day Pashur took Jeremiah out of the stocks. In spite of the proven animosity and authority of Pashur, Jeremiah immediately speaks out against him. He declares that God’s name for Pashur is “Magormissabib,” terror or fear all around. This is not a statement regarding his authority; it is a prophecy regarding the terror that will result from his false prophecies and refusal to listen to the true prophet of God. Jeremiah’s message would be proven true, and they would all fall into the hands of the enemy. The LORD now specifically identifies Babylon as the enemy, and declares that many will be carried captive to Babylon and many will be killed.

Jer. 20:5 Moreover I will deliver all the strength of this city, and all the labours thereof, and all the precious things thereof, and all the treasures of the kings of Judah will I give into the hand of their enemies, which shall spoil them, and take them, and carry them to Babylon.

Jer. 20:6 And thou, Pashur, and all that dwell in thine house shall go into captivity: and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and shalt be buried there, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied lies.

The LORD goes on to declare through His prophet that He will give all the treasures of Jerusalem and Judah to the king of Babylon. He states specifically that Pashur and his family will be taken captive and will die in Babylon. He has no hope of being buried in Judah. These events will prove Pashur as the false prophet and Jeremiah as God’s true prophet.

Jer. 20:7 ¶ O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.

Jer. 20:8 For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily.

It seems that Jeremiah gives in to depression regarding his circumstances at this point. He voices the thought that the LORD has deceived him by letting him fall victim to such persecution. He has become a laughing stock before the people because of his faithfulness to declare God’s prophetic message.

The Hebrew for the word “deceived” also includes the idea of being persuaded, and the next phrase “thou art stronger than I” gives strength to that being the correct idea. Jeremiah is declaring that he is experiencing this persecution because he was too weak in light of God’s power to refuse to serve Him.

I think it is important to note that God had been clear in telling Jeremiah that he would be opposed in his ministry. God did not deceive him. It was Jeremiah’s perceptions and/or expectations regarding the extent of the opposition he would encounter and the persecution that might entail that were in error.

Jeremiah 1:17–19 “Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.”

Stedman:  “Though the people could not answer the keenness of his logic, they did the only thing they could do — they began to ridicule his person. That is always the refuge of petty minds. When people cannot handle a logical argument they begin to attack the person, and try to destroy him personally.”

Jer. 20:9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

Jeremiah admits that he had decided to stop prophesying since he was being so persecuted—but he could not control himself. God’s message was like a fire in his bones, his body, and the only way he could get relief was by proclaiming God’s truth.

Jer. 20:10 For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying,  Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.

Jeremiah prophesied boldly in the face of his enemies. I think the NLT translation paints a good word picture: I have heard the many rumors about me. They call me “The Man Who Lives in Terror.” And they say, “If you say anything, we will report it.” Even my old friends are watching me, waiting for a fatal slip. “He will trap himself,” they say, “and then we will get our revenge on him.”

The people considered Jeremiah to be the ultimate pessimist. Even former friends were just waiting for an opportunity to exact vengeance on him. Jeremiah’s situation is not unique; many of the prophets and faithful servants of God encountered the same attitudes. This reminds me of the words of Jesus regarding those who embrace His message and choose to follow Him in faith and obedience. Those who live in obedience and faith before God will always encounter opposition.

Matthew 10:32–36 “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.”

John 15:18–19 “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”

Jer. 20:11 But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.

Jer. 20:12 But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause.

Jer. 20:13 Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.

At this point Jeremiah seems to find a light shining in the darkness; it reminds me of many of the psalms of David. In spite of his circumstances, he knows that the LORD is on his side and that his enemies will be defeated according to God’s promise. Their future is one of eternal shame and disgrace. Jeremiah knows that God tests those who serve Him, and He even knows the motives behind those who are persecuting him. He knows that when God examines him, his call for vengeance on his enemies will be answered. His cause is in sync with God’s cause. In verse 13 Jeremiah erupts with praise to the LORD, the deliverer of the poor and needy from the wicked. Jeremiah’s focus had changed from his circumstances to the “hope” that is his in the LORD.

Jer. 20:14 ¶ Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed. 

Jer. 20:15 Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man child is born unto thee; making him very glad.

Jer. 20:16 And let that man be as the cities which the LORD overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide;

Jer. 20:17 Because he slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb to be always great with me.

Jer. 20:18 Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?

It is really had to understand these verses in light of the preceding three verses. One can’t help but be reminded of similar words from Job as one reads these verses, and I think they might be in Jeremiah’s thoughts as well.

Job 3:11–17 “Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly? Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck? For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest, With kings and counsellors of the earth, which built desolate places for themselves; Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with silver: Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light. There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest.” 

Jeremiah knows that God’s word is true. Just as surely as He will deliver Jeremiah, He will just as surely judge Jeremiah’s people. I think that is the thought that grieves him at this point. If he had never been born, he would never have to experience such wickedness and sorrow.

I relate to those feelings. I am so excited for the coming of the LORD to take me home and for Him to come and establish His kingdom, but my heart grieves at the thought of family and friends that might not get to experience that with me. I grieve at the thought of the evil that is yet to be released on planet earth—in my country—evil that will impact my life personally and those in my spiritual family until Jesus comes to take us home.  Then woe be to those left behind!