19 But am I the one they are provoking? declares the Lord. Are they not rather harming themselves, to their own shame?
19 Do they provoke me to anger? saith the Lord: do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces?
19 Is it I whom they provoke? declares the Lord. Is it not themselves, to their own shame?
19 "But is it me they're hurting?" God's Decree! "Aren't they just hurting themselves? Exposing themselves shamefully? Making themselves ridiculous?
19 Do they provoke Me to anger?" says the Lord. "Do they not provoke themselves, to the shame of their own faces?"
19 Am I the one they are hurting?" asks the Lord . "Most of all, they hurt themselves, to their own shame."
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death."
36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
36 but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death."
36 But if you wrong me, you damage your very soul; when you reject me, you're flirting with death."
36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death."
36 But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death."
(Read Proverbs 8:32-36)
Surely we should hearken to Christ's voice with the readiness of children. Let us all be wise, and not refuse such mercy. Blessed are those who hear the Saviour's voice, and wait on him with daily reading, meditation, and prayer. The children of the world find time for vain amusements, without neglecting what they deem the one thing needful. Does it not show contempt of Wisdom's instructions, when people professing godliness, seek excuses for neglecting the means of grace? Christ is Wisdom, and he is Life to all believers; nor can we obtain God's favour, unless we find Christ, and are found in him. Those who offend Christ deceive themselves; sin is a wrong to the soul. Sinners die because they will die, which justifies God when he judges.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 7:19
Commentary on Jeremiah 7:17-20
(Read Jeremiah 7:17-20)
The Jews took pride in showing zeal for their idols. Let us learn to be earnest in the service of our God, even from this bad example. Let us think it an honour to be employed in any work for God. Let us be as diligent ourselves, and as careful to teach our children the truths of God, as many are to teach the mysteries of iniquity. The direct tendency of this sin is malice against God, but it will hurt themselves. And they shall find there is no escaping. God's wrath is fire unquenchable.