Jeremiah 34-36 - The Rechabites Listen to Jonadab

Zedekiah to Die in Babylon

Jer 34:14 LSB – [14] "At the end of seven years each of you shall let his Hebrew brother go who has been sold to you and has served you six years, and you shall let him go [to be] free from you; but your fathers did not obey Me or incline their ear to Me.

The Rechabites Listen to Jonadab

Jer 35:6 LSB – [6] But they said, "We will not drink wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, saying, 'You shall not drink wine, you or your sons, forever.

Yahweh Warns of Judah’s Discipline

Jer 35:18-19 LSB – [18] Then Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites, "Thus says Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, 'Because you have listened to the command of Jonadab your father, kept all his commands, and done according to all that he commanded you, [19] therefore thus says Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, "Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not have a man cut off from standing before Me always."'"

Jeremiah’s Scroll Read in the Temple

Jer 36:15-16 LSB – [15] And they said to him, "Sit down, please, and read it in our hearing." So Baruch read it in their hearing. [16] Now it happened that when they heard all the words, they turned in dread one to another and said to Baruch, "We will surely declare all these words to the king."

The Scroll Is Burned

Jer 36:23 LSB – [23] And it happened that when Jehudi had read three or four columns, [the king] cut it with a scribe's knife and threw [it] into the fire that was in the brazier, until all the scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the brazier.

The Scroll Is Replaced

Jer 36:32 LSB – [32] Then Jeremiah took another scroll and gave it to Baruch the son of Neriah, the scribe, and he wrote on it at the dictation of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire; and many similar words were added to them.

Jeremiah 31-33 - I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it

Israel’s Mourning Turned to Joy

Jer 31:9 LSB – [9] "With weeping they will come, And by supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk by streams of waters, On a straight path in which they will not stumble; For I am a father to Israel, And Ephraim is My firstborn."

David Guzik Study Guide for Jeremiah 31
Ephraim is My firstborn: Ephraim here represents Israel as a whole, as in the previous line. Yet it is significant that Ephraim was not the firstborn son of Jacob, yet God regarded him as firstborn. This shows that firstborn referred to more than birth order, it communicates the concept of preeminence.

Jer 31:15 LSB – [15] Thus says Yahweh, "A voice is heard in Ramah, Wailing [and] bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; She refuses to be comforted for her children Because they are no more."

Mat 2:16 LSB – [16] Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had carefully determined from the magi.

Jer 31:20 LSB – [20] "Is Ephraim My dear son? Is he a delightful child? Indeed, as often as I have spoken against him, I certainly still remember him; Therefore My inmost being yearns for him; I will surely have compassion on him," declares Yahweh.

The New Covenant

Jer 31:33 LSB – [33] "But this is the covenant which I will cut with the house of Israel after those days," declares Yahweh: "I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Heb 8:10-13 LSB –

[10] "FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS, AND UPON THEIR HEARTS I WILL WRITE THEM. AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.

[11] "AND THEY SHALL NOT TEACH EVERYONE HIS FELLOW CITIZEN, AND EVERYONE HIS BROTHER, SAYING, 'KNOW THE LORD,' FOR ALL WILL KNOW ME, FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST OF THEM.

[12] "FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR INIQUITIES, AND I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE."

[13] When He said, "A new [covenant]," He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.

Heb 10:15-18 LSB –
[15] And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying,
[16] "THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART, AND ON THEIR MIND I WILL WRITE THEM," [He then says],
[17] "AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE."
[18] Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer [any] offering for sin.

 

Jeremiah Buys a Field During the Siege

Jer 32:14-15 LSB – [14] 'Thus says Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, "Take these deeds--this deed of purchase--that is the sealed one as well as this open deed, and put them in an earthenware jar, that they may last a long time." [15] 'For thus says Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, "Houses and fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land."'

Jeremiah Prays, Yahweh Responds

Jer 32:16-17, 25 LSB – [16] "After I had given the deed of purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah, then I prayed to Yahweh, saying, [17] 'Ah Lord Yahweh! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You, ... [25] 'And You have said to me, O Lord Yahweh, "Buy for yourself the field with money and call in witnesses"--but the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.'"

Jer 32:37-41 LSB – [37] "Behold, I will gather them out of all the lands to which I have banished them in My anger, in My wrath, and in great indignation; and I will cause them to return to this place and make them inhabit [it] in safety. [38] "And they shall be My people, and I will be their God; [39] and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me always, for their own good and for [the good of] their children after them. [40] "And I will cut an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me. [41] "And I will rejoice over them to do them good and will truly plant them in this land with all My heart and with all My soul.

Go Therefore

Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV — And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Daniel 12:3 NKJV — Those who are wise shall shine

Like the brightness of the firmament,

And those who turn many to righteousness

Like the stars forever and ever.

Matthew 24:14 NKJV — “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

1 Corinthians 1:21 NKJV — For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

Romans 10:17 NKJV — So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10:14-15 NKJV — How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,

Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

Matthew 10:40 NKJV — “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.

Luke 10:16 NKJV — “He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”

Acts 8:26-39 NKJV — Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. The place in the Scripture which he read was this:

“He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;

And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,

So He opened not His mouth.  In His humiliation His justice was taken away,

And who will declare His generation?

For His life is taken from the earth.” So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.

Acts 10:24-48 NKJV — And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.” And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. “Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?” So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, “and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. ‘Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ “So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.” Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. “But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. “The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— “that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. “And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. “Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, “not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. “And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. “To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

Acts 17:11-12 NKJV — These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.

Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV — “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Luke 24:46-48 NKJV — Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, “and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. “And you are witnesses of these things.

Acts 1:8 NKJV — “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

2 Timothy 4:1-2 NKJV — I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJV — Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Luke 1:38 NKJV — Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Acts 20:24 NKJV — “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Romans 8:12 NKJV — Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.

John 12:24 NKJV — “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.

Ephesians 6:17 NKJV — And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

1 Peter 3:15-16 NKJV — But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

1 Corinthians 4:20 NKJV — For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.

Matthew 5:16 NKJV — “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Philippians 1:27 NKJV — Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,

James 2:1 NKJV — My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.

2 Corinthians 11:26-27 NKJV — in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—

Romans 1:14-15 NKJV — I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.

1 Corinthians 9:19-22 NKJV — For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

1 Corinthians 10:33 NKJV — just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

Daniel 12:3 NKJV — Those who are wise shall shine

Like the brightness of the firmament,

And those who turn many to righteousness

Like the stars forever and ever.

Jeremiah 28-30 - For who would dare to give his heart as security to approach Me?

Hananiah’s Rebellion Against Yahweh

Jer 28:16 LSB – [16] "Therefore thus says Yahweh, 'Behold, I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. This year you are going to die because you have spoken rebellion against Yahweh.'"

Jeremiah’s Letter to the Exiles

Jer 29:10 LSB – [10] "For thus says Yahweh, 'When seventy years have been fulfilled for Babylon, I will visit you and establish My good word to you, to return you to this place.

Yahweh Will Return the Fortunes of His People

Jer 30:21 LSB – 

[21] 'And their mighty one shall be one of them, 

And their ruler shall come forth from their midst; 

And I will bring Him near, and He shall approach Me; 

For who would [dare] to give his heart as security to approach Me?' declares Yahweh.

Psa 110:4 LSB – [4] Yahweh has sworn and will not change His mind, "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek."

Jer 30:22 LSB –
[22] 'You shall be My people,
And I will be your God.'"

Jeremiah 25-27 - Seventy Years of Captivity

Seventy Years of Captivity

Jer 25:4 LSB – [4] "And Yahweh has sent to you all His slaves the prophets, rising up early and sending, but you have not listened nor inclined your ear to hear,

Jer 25:11 LSB – [11] 'This whole land will be a waste place and an object of horror, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years.

Punishment Against Babylon

Jer 25:14 LSB – [14] '--For many nations and great kings will make slaves of them, even them; and I will repay them according to their deeds and according to the work of their hands--'"

The Words of Yahweh Against Judah

Jer 26:2-3 LSB – 

[2] "Thus says Yahweh, 'Stand in the court of the house of Yahweh, and you shall speak to all the cities of Judah who have come to worship [in] the house of Yahweh all the words that I have commanded you to speak to them. Do not take away a word! 

[3] 'Perhaps they will listen and everyone will turn from his evil way, that I may relent of the evil which I am devising to bring against them because of the evil of their deeds.'

Jeremiah Threatened with Death

Jer 26:11 LSB – [11] Then the priests and the prophets spoke to the officials and to all the people, saying, "A judgment of death for this man! For he has prophesied against this city as you have heard in your hearing."

Jeremiah Spared from Death

Jer 26:16 LSB – [16] Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and to the prophets, "No judgment of death for this man! For he has spoken to us in the name of Yahweh our God."

Jer 26:24 LSB – [24] But the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, so that he was not given into the hands of the people to put him to death.

The Yoke of Nebuchadnezzar

Jer 27:5-6 LSB – [5] "I have made the earth, the men, and the animals which are on the face of the earth by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and I will give it to the one who is right in My eyes. [6] "So now, I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, My servant, and I have given him even the wild beasts of the field to serve him.

Jer 27:21-22 LSB – [21] "Indeed, thus says Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that are left in the house of Yahweh and in the house of the king of Judah and in Jerusalem, [22] 'They will be brought to Babylon, and they will be there until the day I visit them,' declares Yahweh. 'Then I will bring them up and return them to this place.'"

Jeremiah 22-24 - Already, Not Yet

O Land, Hear Yahweh

Jer 22:24 LSB – [24] "As I live," declares Yahweh, "even though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were a signet [ring] on My right hand, yet I would pull you off;

Jer 22:30 LSB – [30] "Thus says Yahweh, 'Write this man down childless, A man who will not succeed in his days; For no man of his seed will succeed Sitting on the throne of David Or ruling again in Judah.'"

The Righteous Branch

Jer 23:5-6 LSB – 

[5] "Behold, [the] days are coming," declares Yahweh, 

"When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; 

And He will reign as king and prosper 

And do justice and righteousness in the land. 

[6] "In His days Judah will be saved, 

And Israel will dwell securely; 

And this is His name by which He will be called, 

'Yahweh our righteousness.'

Already, Not Yet

What do I mean? According to Scripture, believers are

• already adopted in Christ (Romans 8:15), but not yet adopted (Romans 8:23);
• already redeemed in Christ (Ephesians 1:7), but not yet redeemed (Ephesians 4:30);
• already sanctified in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:2), but not yet sanctified (1 Thessalonians 5:23–24);
• already saved in Christ (Ephesians 2:8), but not yet saved (Romans 5:9);
• already raised with Christ (Ephesians 2:6), but not yet raised (1 Corinthians 15:52).

False Prophets Condemned

Jer 23:26-27 LSB – [26] "How long? Is there [anything] in the hearts of the prophets who prophesy a lie, even [these] prophets of the deception of their own heart, [27] who intend to make My people forget My name by their dreams which they recount to one another, just as their fathers forgot My name because of Baal?

The Good and the Rotten Figs

Jer 24:5-7 LSB – [5] "Thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel, 'Like these good figs, so I will recognize as good the exiles of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place [into] the land of the Chaldeans. [6] 'For I will set My eyes on them for good, and I will return them to this land; and I will build them up and not pull them down, and I will plant them and not uproot them. [7] 'I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am Yahweh; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart.

Jeremiah 19-21 - The Broken Jar

The Broken Jar

Jer 19:9 LSB – [9] "I will make them eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they will eat one another's flesh in the siege and in the distress with which their enemies and those who seek their life will distress them."'

Jer 19:10-11 LSB – [10] "Then you are to break the jar in the sight of the men who accompany you, [11] and you shall say to them, 'Thus says Yahweh of hosts, "Just so will I break this people and this city, even as one breaks a potter's vessel, which cannot again be repaired; and they will bury in Topheth because there is no [other] place for burial.

Jeremiah Persecuted by Pashhur

Jer 20:9 LSB – [9] But if I say, "I will not remember Him Or speak anymore in His name," Then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; And I am weary of holding [it] in, And I cannot prevail.

Jerusalem Will Fall to Nebuchadnezzar

Jer 21:9 LSB – [9] "He who inhabits this city will die by the sword and by famine and by pestilence; but he who goes out and falls away to the Chaldeans who are besieging you will live, and he will have his own life as spoil.

Meaning of Luke 15:7

Meaning of Luke 15:7

Luk 15:7 NKJV – [7] "I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

God delights deeply in evangelism and the repentance of lost souls, as Luke 15:7 shows there is immense joy in heaven when a sinner turns back to Him. However, the verse does not mean God cares only about outreach or that everyday faithfulness, holiness, and obedience go unnoticed. [1, 2]

What Luke 15:7 Teaches

• Heaven’s Joy: The parable of the lost sheep highlights a special, celebratory joy in heaven when one lost person repents.

• God’s Heart for the Lost: Jesus told the story to correct the religious leaders who despised sinners, showing that God actively seeks out and values every individual.

• Participation in His Mission: Sharing the gospel lets you join in the very joy that God and the angels experience over a restored life. [1, 2, 3]

A Balanced View of God's Pleasure

• Faithfulness Matters: God is also pleased with daily acts of obedience, quiet prayer, love, and character growth (Hebrews 11:6).

• Not a Competition: The "ninety-nine righteous persons" in the verse represent those already in the fold; their presence is valued, even though the moment of rescue brings a distinct, celebratory burst of joy. [1, 2, 3]

The Bible outlines several key areas that consistently bring delight and pleasure to God. While heaven throws a celebration when a sinner repents, God also takes deep, enduring pleasure in the daily lives, hearts, and character of His people.

What Pleases God

Here are the primary ways the Bible describes what pleases God, grouped by theme:

Faith and Trust

• Hebrews 11:6 — “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Trusting God's character and promises is the foundational requirement for pleasing Him.

Obedience and Mercy Over Ritual

• 1 Samuel 15:22 — “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice...” God prefers active, heart-felt obedience over religious routines or empty rituals.

• Hosea 6:6 — “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”

Righteousness, Justice, and Character

• Proverbs 11:20 — “Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the Lord, but those of blameless ways are his delight.” Integrity, honesty, and upright living directly bring Him joy.

• Jeremiah 9:24 — “...I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” God loves it when His people mirror His own character.

Worship and Fear of the Lord

• Psalm 147:11 — “...the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.” Here, "fear" means a profound reverence, awe, and healthy respect for His holiness.

Generosity and Helping Others

• Hebrews 13:16 — “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Tangible acts of kindness, charity, and communal support are viewed as a sweet-smelling sacrifice to Him.

Summary Comparison

Aspect of Pleasure	Bible Verse	What It Means for You
Celebratory Joy	Luke 15:7	Heaven rejoices when a lost soul repents (Evangelism/Outreach).
Foundational Pleasure	Hebrews 11:6	God is pleased when you simply trust Him and seek Him (Faith).
Sustained Daily Delight	Proverbs 11:20	God delights in your quiet integrity and upright choices (Character).
Relational Pleasure	Hebrews 13:16	God is pleased when you love and take care of others (Generosity).

Jeremiah 16-18 - The Deceitful Heart

Yahweh Withdraws His Favor

Jer 16:12 LSB – [12] 'You too have done evil, [even] more than your fathers; for behold, you are each one walking according to the stubbornness of his own evil heart, without listening to Me.

They Shall Know My Name Is Yahweh

Jer 16:18 LSB – [18] "I will first doubly repay their iniquity and their sin because they have profaned My land; they have filled My inheritance with the carcasses of their detestable idols and with their abominations."

Jer 16:19 LSB – [19] O Yahweh, my strength and my strong defense, And my refuge in the day of distress, To You the nations will come From the ends of the earth and say, "Our fathers have inherited nothing but lies, Futility and things of no profit."

Jer 16:21 LSB – [21] "Therefore behold, I am going to make them know-- This time I will make them know My power and My might; And they shall know that My name is Yahweh."

The Deceitful Heart

Jer 17:7-8 LSB – 

[7] "Blessed is the man who trusts in Yahweh 

And whose trust is Yahweh. 

[8] "And he will be like a tree planted by the water, 

That sends forth its roots by a stream 

And will not fear when the heat comes; 

But its leaves will be green, 

And it will not be anxious in a year of drought 

Nor refrain from yielding fruit.

Jer 17:9 LSB – [9] "The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can know it?

Mat 15:19 LSB – [19] "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false witness, slanders.

Jer 17:14 LSB – [14] Heal me, O Yahweh, and I will be healed; Save me and I will be saved, For You are my praise.

Keep the Sabbath Day Holy

Jer 17:23 LSB – [23] "Yet they did not listen or incline their ears, but stiffened their necks in order not to listen or receive discipline.

The Potter and the Clay

Jer 18:6 LSB – [6] "Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter [does]?" declares Yahweh. "Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.

Jer 18:17 LSB – [17] 'Like an east wind I will scatter them Before the enemy; I will show them My back and not [My] face In the day of their disaster.'"