Jeremiah 17:5-6
Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The curse isn't just about seeking help from others; it's specifically about making "flesh your strength" – that is, treating human power and frailty as your ultimate support, which inherently means your heart has turned away from the true source of strength. This emphasizes that trusting in people, even well-intentioned ones, becomes a curse not just because they fail, but because that very act severs our reliance on God.
Jeremiah is delivering a harsh message to Judah, exposing the core reason for their impending destruction: their misplaced trust. Following his pronouncements on the ingrained sinfulness of Judah's people, he shifts to directly condemn the act of relying on human alliances, particularly with Egypt, as a weak substitute for God's strength. This condemnation sets the stage for a contrast with those who do trust in the Lord, leading into the blessings that await them.
Ever felt like you're leaning on something sturdy, only to have it crumble? Jeremiah calls out this exact trap, using a powerful image.
The verse speaks of trusting in 'man' and making 'flesh your strength.' This isn't just about human relationships; it’s a deep dive into placing our ultimate confidence in anything or anyone other than God.
What is 'Flesh'?
'Flesh' here symbolizes human weakness, frailty, and mortality. It's a stark contrast to the eternal, unchangeable nature of God. When we make 'flesh our arm,' we're relying on something inherently unstable and temporary for our ultimate security and strength.
The Context of Alliance
Jeremiah was speaking to a nation often tempted to rely on political alliances (like Egypt) for protection against enemies. This reliance on human power, rather than divine intervention, was seen as a profound act of rebellion and a fundamental misunderstanding of where true strength comes from. It’s like expecting a broken reed to hold you up!
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The verse doesn't just point to actions; it reveals a deeper internal shift. What happens when our hearts start to wander?
The critical phrase here is 'whose heart turns away from the LORD.' This isn't just a passive drifting; it's an active departure. When we place our trust in anything other than God, our hearts inherently move away from Him.
Trust and Loyalty
Trust and loyalty are deeply connected. To trust in 'flesh' means our ultimate allegiance shifts. We might still offer lip service to God, but our fundamental reliance and hope are placed elsewhere. This is what the verse condemns as a departure from the Lord.
The Curse of Separation
The 'curse' isn't just an external punishment; it’s the natural consequence of this separation. It signifies a state of being cut off from the source of life, strength, and blessing – which is God Himself. It leads to spiritual barrenness and a life devoid of true fulfillment, much like a plant cut off from its roots.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The sovereign, self-existent God of the covenant, who reveals Himself to His people and fulfills His promises.
arur · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
A formal pronouncement of judgment or separation from divine favor, often resulting from disobedience or placing trust in creatures rather than the Creator.
batach · Hebrew Verb
To rely upon, lean on, or place confidence in something or someone. In a spiritual sense, it is the act of faith, and when misdirected toward humanity, it becomes idolatry.
basar · Hebrew Noun
Human nature in its frailty, weakness, and mortality, often used in contrast to the eternal, sovereign power of God.
This verse speaks directly to the people of Judah during a time of intense geopolitical crisis, when reliance on Egypt and other human powers was seen as a viable alternative to trusting in God's deliverance.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Northern Kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrian Empire, leading to the exile of its people and a stark warning to the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
King Sennacherib of Assyria attacks Judah, but Jerusalem is miraculously saved, leading to a period of cautious independence but also a reinforced reliance on human alliances.
c. 609 BC
Battle of Carchemish
The Egyptian army is defeated by the Babylonians, marking the end of Egypt's influence in the region and leaving Judah vulnerable.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah, taking some of the elite, including the prophet Daniel, into exile. This marks the beginning of Judah's subjugation to Babylon.
c. 590s BC— this verse
Jeremiah's Ministry during Siege
Jeremiah delivers prophecies of doom, urging surrender to Babylon, but faces intense opposition from those who trust in Egyptian aid and their own defenses.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
Jerusalem is destroyed by the Babylonians, and the majority of the remaining population is exiled, fulfilling Jeremiah's warnings against trusting in human alliances.
This Psalm echoes Jeremiah's warning, directly stating 'Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no salvation,' highlighting the futility of relying on human leaders.
Isaiah 31:1-3Isaiah provides a strong parallel, denouncing alliances with Egypt and calling their strength 'human and not divine, flesh and not spirit,' directly linking reliance on nations to a rejection of God's power.
Jeremiah 17:7-8These verses present the direct contrast to Jeremiah 17:5, describing the blessings for the one who trusts in the LORD, showing the positive outcome of turning to God instead of 'flesh.'
Romans 8:5-8Paul discusses the 'mind of the flesh' versus the 'mind of the Spirit,' showing how prioritizing earthly or self-reliance (flesh) leads to separation from God, mirroring Jeremiah's idea of the heart turning away.
clarkeJeremiah 17:5: "Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD."
Cursed be the man that trusteth in man - This reprehends their vain confidence in trusting in Egypt, which was too feeble itself to help, and, had it been otherwise, too ill disposed towards them to help them heartily. An arm of flesh is put here for a weak and ineffectual support. And he who, in reference to the salvation of his soul, trusts in an arm…
calvinJeremiah 17:5-6: "Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD."
- Et erit quasi myrica (sic vertunt communiter) in deserto, et non videbit cum veniet bonum (id est, in foecunditas,) et habitabit in siccitatibus in deserto, in terra salsuginis, et quae non habitatur.
The Prophet, I doubt not, prefixed this sentence to many of his discourses, for it was neccssary often to repeat it, as the Jews were so refractory…
The curse isn't just about seeking help from others; it's specifically about making "flesh your strength" – that is, treating human power and frailty as your ultimate support, which inherently means your heart has turned away from the true source of strength. This emphasizes that trusting in people, even well-intentioned ones, becomes a curse not just because they fail, but because that very act severs our reliance on God.
Jeremiah is delivering a harsh message to Judah, exposing the core reason for their impending destruction: their misplaced trust. Following his pronouncements on the ingrained sinfulness of Judah's people, he shifts to directly condemn the act of relying on human alliances, particularly with Egypt, as a weak substitute for God's strength. This condemnation sets the stage for a contrast with those who do trust in the Lord, leading into the blessings that await them.
Jeremiah is delivering a harsh message to Judah, exposing the core reason for their impending destruction: their misplaced trust. Following his pronouncements on the ingrained sinfulness of Judah's people, he shifts to directly condemn the act of relying on human alliances, particularly with Egypt, as a weak substitute for God's strength. This condemnation sets the stage for a contrast with those who do trust in the Lord, leading into the blessings that await them.
"Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell…" — The curse isn't just about seeking help from others; it's specifically about making "flesh your strength" – that is, treating human power and frailty as your ultimate support, which inherently means…
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