Jeremiah 18:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

However, if one contends that God has reconsidered that stern judgment for the sake of their repentance, as expressed through the prophet Ezekiel: ‘But when I say to the lawless one, "You shall die by death," and he turns from his sins and acts justly and righteously, he shall live; he shall not die’ (Ezekiel 33:14-15), it becomes clear from these examples that we should not remain obstinate in our definitions but rather temper the warning, which is given out of necessity, with gracious mercy. Furthermore, to counter any notion that the Lord's message was meant solely for the Ninevites, He confirms through the prophet Jeremiah that He will extend the same approach to all, promising to adjust His judgment immediately, in response to our actions: ‘At times I may declare concerning a nation or kingdom that I will uproot, tear down, and destroy it; but if that nation turns from its wickedness, I will relent of the disaster I had planned. And sometimes I may declare concerning a nation or kingdom that I will build and plant it; but if it does evil in My sight, not obeying My voice, I will reconsider the good that I had intended to do for it’ (Jeremiah 18:7-10). Additionally, to the prophet Ezekiel, He instructs, ‘Say... do not hold back any words. Perhaps they will listen and turn from their wicked ways, and then I will rescind the calamity that I plan to bring upon them because of their wickedness’ (Jeremiah 26:2-3). These declarations clearly show that we should not be inflexible in our conclusions but instead adjust them based on reason and discernment, consistently choosing and valuing the better path, and promptly doing what is regarded as most beneficial.