Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 16:16‐18:23, 1 Thessalonians 4:1‐5:3, Psalm 81:1‐16, Proverbs 25:6‐7a
Context: Jeremiah is contrasting the sin of Israel with the righteousness and hope found in God.
Jeremiah 17:13 “O Lord, the hope of Israel,
all who forsake you shall be put to shame;
those who turn away from you shall be written in the earth,
for they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living water.”
Springs of Engedi - Living Water in Israel
Observations:
- Lord = hope of Israel
- All who forsake / turn away from God:
- will be put to shame
- will be written in the earth
- Because they have forsaken the Lord
- Lord = fountain of living water
My grandfather is on his death bed. I spent three hours with him and the extended family on Sunday. During a time when most families would feel forsaken, the room was full of hope. Why? Everyone in the house knew that Opa had lived life in the fountain. His life had been fulfilling and close to the Lord. In addition, they knew that he would spend eternity with God.
Apply: “Lord, let me live life like Opa. May I never forsake the fountain of living water.”
Have you forsaken the fountain of living water? Jeremiah 2:13 – “(F)or my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.”
samholm.com 
During the Feast of Lights or Dedication in John chapter 8, Jesus wrote the names of the people, accusing the adulterous women, in the earth. The Jewish people of this time were very familiar with Jeremiah 17:13 and walked away in shame.
Jay, this is a great observation. It sounds like you know your Jewish history. The more I learn about the context for the text, the more I get out of it.
Thank you for your thoughts. I hope to learn more from you in the future.