THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
This chapter serves as a strong admonition to the Jews, pointing out that although they claim God has assured them blessings, their refusal to believe in our Lord Jesus Christ has led them to bring about their own misfortunes.
Jeremiah 18:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
If it shall do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice: I will repent of the good that I have spoken to do unto it.
וְעָשָׂ֤ה הרעה הָרַע֙ בְּעֵינַ֔י לְבִלְתִּ֖י שְׁמֹ֣עַ בְּקוֹלִ֑י וְנִֽחַמְתִּי֙ עַל־הַטּוֹבָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָמַ֖רְתִּי לְהֵיטִ֥יב אוֹתֽוֹ׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
John Cassian
If someone claims that God, knowing in advance those who would convert, threatened the destruction of the city to encourage them toward saving repentance, it follows that the spiritual leaders can justly warn those in need of correction with consequences more severe than intended, if necessary. However, if one asserts that God has altered that serious judgment for the sake of their repentance, as stated through the prophet Ezekiel: “But when I say to the lawless one, ‘You shall die by death,’ and he turns from his sins and practices justice and righteousness, ... he shall live; he shall not die” (Ezekiel 33:14-15), these examples indicate that we should not hold rigidly to our definitions, but instead soften the expressed threat, motivated by necessity, with gracious mercy.
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Furthermore, to prevent the misconception that the Lord spoke only to the Ninevites, He assures through the prophet Jeremiah that He will apply the same principle to all, promising to change His decision based on our actions: “At times I will declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will uproot, break down, and destroy it; but if that nation, which I have spoken to turns from its evil, I will relent of the harm that I intended to do to it. And sometimes I will declare concerning a nation and kingdom that I will build and plant it; but if it does evil in My sight, not obeying My voice, I will retract the good that I had intended to do for it” (Jeremiah 18:7-10). Additionally, to the prophet Ezekiel, it is said: “Say ... do not hold back a word. Perhaps they will listen and turn from their evil ways, and then I will withdraw the disaster that I intend to bring upon them because of their wickedness” (Jeremiah 26:2-3).
These testimonies clearly illustrate that we should not be obstinate in our conclusions, but rather adjust them with reason and discernment, consistently choosing and favoring the most beneficial course of action, deciding promptly on what is deemed most helpful.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Ezek 33:18For when the just shall depart from his justice, and commit iniquities, he shall die in them.
- 1 Sam 2:30Wherefore thus saith the Lord the God of Israel: I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should minister in my sight, for ever. But now saith the Lord: Far be this from me: but whosoever shall glorify me, him will I glorify: but they that despise me, shall be despised.
- Ezek 18:24But if the just man turn himself away from his justice, and do iniquity according to all the abominations which the wicked man useth to work, shall he live? all his justices which he hath done, shall not be remembered: in the prevarication, by which he hath prevaricated, and in his sin, which he hath committed, in them he shall die.
- 1 Sam 13:13And Samuel said to Saul: Thou hast done foolishly, and hast not kept the commandments of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee. And if thou hadst not done thus, the Lord would now have established thy kingdom over Israel for ever:
- 1 Sam 15:11It repenteth me that I have made Saul king: for he hath forsaken me, and hath not executed my commandments. And Samuel was grieved, and he cried unto the Lord all night.
- Ps 125 (124):5
- Jer 7:23But this thing I commanded them, saying: Hearken to my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people: and walk ye in all the way that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.
- Jer 7:28And thou shalt say to them: This is a nation which hath not hearkened to the voice of the Lord their God, nor received instruction: faith is lost, and is taken away out of their mouth.