Jeremiah 18:23
Yet you, O LORD, know all their plotting to kill me. Forgive not their iniquity, nor blot out their sin from your sight. Let them be overthrown before you; deal with them in the time of your anger.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jeremiah’s cry isn't just a wish for enemies to stumble; it's a plea for God to recognize their wickedness for what it is. He asks that their iniquity not be "blotted out" from God's sight, meaning he wants God to see their sin clearly and act accordingly, not to overlook it or let it fade away unpunished. This highlights how Jeremiah trusts God's perfect knowledge to bring about justice when mercy is undeserved.
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Jeremiah isn't pretending everything is fine; he's bringing the raw reality of his peril to the One who alone can truly see and act.", "readItAgain": "Notice how Jeremiah starts by emphasizing God's knowledge: "Yet, LORD, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slay me..."", "reflectionPrompt": "When you feel threatened or betrayed by hidden plots, what does it mean to you that God sees everything?", "supportingReferences": [ { "reference": "Psalm 139:1-4", "connection": "This Psalm beautifully articulates God's intimate knowledge of our thoughts and actions, even before we speak them." }, { "reference": "Hebrews 4:13", "connection": "This verse confirms that no creature is hidden from God's sight, and all things are naked and exposed before Him." } ] }, { "title": "The Weight of Sin and the Call for Justice", "hook": "Jeremiah doesn't just ask for protection; he calls for judgment. What does this intense plea reveal about sin and God's righteous anger?", "teaching": "The prophet's words, "Forgive not their iniquity, nor blot out their sin from your sight. Let them be overthrown before you; deal with them in the time of your anger," are stark and challenging. He's not praying for mercy here, but for justice. The repeated phrases "forgive not" and "nor blot out" emphasize the gravity of the sin committed against him and against God.\n\nThis isn't a call for personal revenge, but an appeal to God's righteous character. Jeremiah sees the deep-seated rebellion and treachery, and he knows that such actions have consequences. He's essentially asking God to act decisively against unrepentant wickedness, especially when it targets His prophet and His purposes. The mention of "the time of your anger" points to the ultimate, righteous judgment God will execute on evil.", "readItAgain": "Consider the strong language: "Forgive not their iniquity, nor blot out their sin from your sight, but let them be overthrown..."", "reflectionPrompt": "How does Jeremiah's prayer help you understand the seriousness of sin and the necessity of God's justice, even when it's difficult to accept?", "supportingReferences": [ { "reference": "Psalm 5:5-6", "connection": "This Psalm also speaks of God's opposition to evildoers and His ultimate judgment against them, showing this is a theme throughout Scripture." }, { "reference": "Romans 1:18", "connection": "Paul explains that God's wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness, underscoring the reality of divine anger against sin." } ] }, { "title": "A Prophet's Duty vs. A Christian's Way", "hook": "Jeremiah's prayer sounds harsh to modern ears. How does his prophetic duty differ from the way Jesus calls us to respond to our enemies?", "teaching": "It's vital to understand Jeremiah's context. As a prophet under the Old Covenant, he was called to pronounce God's judgment on unrepentant sin and treachery. His prayer here is a prophetic declaration of the consequences of their actions, an expression of zeal for God's honor, rather than mere personal vindictiveness. The commentators note that this stern language belongs to the "legal spirit" of the Old Covenant.\n\nHowever, Jesus introduced a "more excellent way" (1 Corinthians 12:31). He taught His followers to love their enemies, bless those who curse them, and pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44). While Jeremiah prayed for judgment, Jesus, the ultimate prophet and sacrifice, prayed from the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). This contrast isn't to condemn Jeremiah, but to highlight the transformative grace and new ethic brought by Christ.", "readItAgain": "Notice the plea for "the time of your anger," and contrast it with Jesus' prayer for forgiveness, especially as the commentators highlight this difference.", "reflectionPrompt": "In what ways are you called to imitate Christ's love for enemies, even when facing opposition or injustice?", "supportingReferences": [ { "reference": "Matthew 5:43-48", "connection": "Jesus directly instructs His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them, setting a new standard." }, { "reference": "Acts 7:59-60", "connection": "Stephen, the first Christian martyr, followed Jesus' example by praying for forgiveness for his executioners, echoing Christ's prayer." } ] } ] }
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Jeremiah feels surrounded by enemies plotting his death, yet he finds comfort in one truth: God sees everything.
Jeremiah begins this plea by reminding God that He is fully aware of the conspiracies against him. "Yet, LORD, you know all their schemes to kill me." This isn't a complaint, but an assertion of God's omniscience. Even when human eyes can't see the danger or understand the plots, God's gaze penetrates all.
This means our deepest struggles, our hidden pain, and the secret injustices we face are never unseen by Him. He knows the hearts and minds of those who oppose His people, even when their motives are hidden from everyone else.
Jeremiah doesn't just ask for protection; he cries out for God's righteous judgment on his enemies.
The core of this verse is Jeremiah's intense prayer for God to act against those plotting his demise. He asks God not to forgive their iniquity or blot out their sin, but to let them be overthrown and dealt with in God's anger.
It's crucial to understand this isn't about personal revenge. Commentators note that Jeremiah's zeal is for God's honor, not his own. He's praying for divine justice, recognizing that God's wrath is a real consequence for persistent wickedness. This reflects a "legal spirit" focused on God's justice, different from the "more excellent way" of grace shown in the New Testament, yet still rooted in a righteous God who cannot abide sin.
While Jeremiah pleads for judgment, the timing and nature of God's response reveal a delicate balance.
Jeremiah specifically asks that his enemies be dealt with "in the time of your anger." This phrase is key. It acknowledges that God's anger isn't arbitrary but has a specific, appointed time. The ancient commentators suggest this isn't necessarily a prayer for eternal damnation, but for God's temporal displeasure and vengeance to be made evident in this life.
This highlights the profound difference between God's righteous judgment and human vengeance. God's justice is perfect and timed, distinct from His mercy, which is also sovereign. While Jeremiah cries out for justice now, the New Testament reveals the ultimate "time of anger" will fall upon those who reject Christ, while offering mercy to those who repent. Jeremiah's prayer underscores that God's justice is sure, even as His patience endures.
Understand the original words
avon · Hebrew Noun
A term for twisted, perverted, or rebellious acts that deviate from God’s moral standard; it denotes moral depravity and the guilt associated with violating the covenant.
chattat · Hebrew Noun
A failure to hit the mark of God's holy standard; it refers to the act of missing the purpose for which humanity was created and violating God's law.
aph · Hebrew Noun
The settled, righteous indignation of God against evil and unrepentance; it is the inevitable reaction of a holy God toward those who persist in opposing His will.
Jeremiah's desperate plea reflects the intense persecution he faced from his own people, who blamed him for the coming judgment. His prayer for God's judgment is rooted in the historical context of Judah's repeated betrayals and the prophet's zeal for God's honor.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, conquers Jerusalem and deports some of the royal family and elite, including the prophet Daniel. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a period of rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar deports more of Judah's population, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel. Jerusalem's temple is plundered.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
After a prolonged siege and further rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar utterly destroys Jerusalem and its temple, deporting most of the remaining population to Babylon. This is the nadir of Judah's history.
c. 586-570 BC— this verse
Jeremiah's Ministry Amidst Destruction
Jeremiah, who remained in Judea after the final deportation, continues to prophesy to the devastated remnant. He faces severe opposition and accusations of treason from those who blame him for the disaster.
c. 539 BC
Fall of Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers the Babylonian Empire. This event paves the way for the return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem.
c. 516 BC
Rebuilding of the Temple
The Second Temple in Jerusalem is completed and dedicated, marking a significant step in the restoration of Jewish life and worship after the exile.
This psalm is a powerful example of an imprecatory prayer, much like Jeremiah's here, where the psalmist calls down God's judgment on his enemies for their treachery and cruelty.
Romans 12:19This passage offers a profound contrast, teaching believers not to seek vengeance but to 'leave it to the righteous anger of God,' reflecting the tension between justice and mercy.
Acts 7:59-60Stephen's prayer as he was being stoned mirrors Christ's prayer from the cross, showing a different path than Jeremiah's here, asking forgiveness for his persecutors rather than judgment.
Matthew 27:24-25Pilate washed his hands of Jesus' blood, yet the crowd cried, 'His blood be on us and on our children!' This shows a collective rejection of responsibility and acceptance of divine retribution, echoing the gravity of Jeremiah's plea for God's judgment.
barnesJeremiah 18:23: "Yet, LORD, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slay me: forgive not their iniquity, neither blot out their sin from thy sight, but let them be overthrown before thee; deal thus with them in the time of thine anger."
Yet, Lord - Better, But, Lord. They conceal their plots, but God knows, and therefore must punish. Neither blot out ... - Or, "blot not out their sin from before Thy face that they may be made to stumble before Thee." Thus - Omit this word. Since there is a…
calvinJeremiah 18:23: "Yet, LORD, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slay me: forgive not their iniquity, neither blot out their sin from thy sight, but let them be overthrown before thee; deal thus with them in the time of thine anger."
Yet, LORD, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slay me: forgive not their iniquity, neither blot out their sin from thy sight, but let them be overthrown before thee; deal thus with them in the time of thine anger.
Et tu Jehovah nosti omni…
Jeremiah’s cry isn't just a wish for enemies to stumble; it's a plea for God to recognize their wickedness for what it is. He asks that their iniquity not be "blotted out" from God's sight, meaning he wants God to see their sin clearly and act accordingly, not to overlook it or let it fade away unpunished. This highlights how Jeremiah trusts God's perfect knowledge to bring about justice when mercy is undeserved.
{ "studyTitle": "Jeremiah's Desperate Plea in the Face of Treachery", "timeMinutes": 8, "concepts": [ { "title": "A Prophet's Pain and God's All-Seeing Eye", "hook": "Jeremiah is facing a life-or-death threat, not from a foreign invader, but from his own people. How does he cry out to God when betrayal cuts so deep?", "teaching": "Jeremiah begins this plea by acknowledging God's complete awareness of his enemies' malicious plans. "LORD, you know all their plots to kill me." This isn't just a statement of fact; it's a foundation for his prayer. In a situation where human eyes can't see the hidden dangers, Jeremiah trusts that God's gaze misses nothing. Even the most secret conspiracies are laid bare before the Almighty.\n\nThis highlights a crucial aspect of prayer: bringing our deepest fears and the hidden evils we face directly into God's presence. Jeremiah isn't pretending everything is fine; he's bringing the raw reality of his peril to the One who alone can truly see and act.", "readItAgain": "Notice how Jeremiah starts by emphasizing God's knowledge: "Yet, LORD, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slay me..."", "reflectionPrompt": "When you feel threatened or betrayed by hidden plots, what does it mean to you that God sees everything?", "supportingReferences": [ { "reference": "Psalm 139:1-4", "connection": "This Psalm beautifully articulates God's intimate knowledge of our thoughts and actions, even before we speak them." }, { "reference": "Hebrews 4:13", "connection": "This verse confirms that no creature is hidden from God's sight, and all things are naked and exposed before Him." } ] }, { "title": "The Weight of Sin and the Call for Justice", "hook": "Jeremiah doesn't just ask for protection; he calls for judgment. What does this intense plea reveal about sin and God's righteous anger?", "teaching": "The prophet's words, "Forgive not their iniquity, nor blot out their sin from your sight. Let them be overthrown before you; deal with them in the time of your anger," are stark and challenging. He's not praying for mercy here, but for justice. The repeated phrases "forgive not" and "nor blot out" emphasize the gravity of the sin committed against him and against God.\n\nThis isn't a call for personal revenge, but an appeal to God's righteous character. Jeremiah sees the deep-seated rebellion and treachery, and he knows that such actions have consequences. He's essentially asking God to act decisively against unrepentant wickedness, especially when it targets His prophet and His purposes. The mention of "the time of your anger" points to the ultimate, righteous judgment God will execute on evil.", "readItAgain": "Consider the strong language: "Forgive not their iniquity, nor blot out their sin from your sight, but let them be overthrown..."", "reflectionPrompt": "How does Jeremiah's prayer help you understand the seriousness of sin and the necessity of God's justice, even when it's difficult to accept?", "supportingReferences": [ { "reference": "Psalm 5:5-6", "connection": "This Psalm also speaks of God's opposition to evildoers and His ultimate judgment against them, showing this is a theme throughout Scripture." }, { "reference": "Romans 1:18", "connection": "Paul explains that God's wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness, underscoring the reality of divine anger against sin." } ] }, { "title": "A Prophet's Duty vs. A Christian's Way", "hook": "Jeremiah's prayer sounds harsh to modern ears. How does his prophetic duty differ from the way Jesus calls us to respond to our enemies?", "teaching": "It's vital to understand Jeremiah's context. As a prophet under the Old Covenant, he was called to pronounce God's judgment on unrepentant sin and treachery. His prayer here is a prophetic declaration of the consequences of their actions, an expression of zeal for God's honor, rather than mere personal vindictiveness. The commentators note that this stern language belongs to the "legal spirit" of the Old Covenant.\n\nHowever, Jesus introduced a "more excellent way" (1 Corinthians 12:31). He taught His followers to love their enemies, bless those who curse them, and pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44). While Jeremiah prayed for judgment, Jesus, the ultimate prophet and sacrifice, prayed from the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). This contrast isn't to condemn Jeremiah, but to highlight the transformative grace and new ethic brought by Christ.", "readItAgain": "Notice the plea for "the time of your anger," and contrast it with Jesus' prayer for forgiveness, especially as the commentators highlight this difference.", "reflectionPrompt": "In what ways are you called to imitate Christ's love for enemies, even when facing opposition or injustice?", "supportingReferences": [ { "reference": "Matthew 5:43-48", "connection": "Jesus directly instructs His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them, setting a new standard." }, { "reference": "Acts 7:59-60", "connection": "Stephen, the first Christian martyr, followed Jesus' example by praying for forgiveness for his executioners, echoing Christ's prayer." } ] } ] }
{ "studyTitle": "Jeremiah's Desperate Plea in the Face of Treachery", "timeMinutes": 8, "concepts": [ { "title": "A Prophet's Pain and God's All-Seeing Eye", "hook": "Jeremiah is facing a life-or-death threat, not from a foreign invader, but from his own people. How does he cry out to God when betrayal cuts so deep?", "teaching": "Jeremiah begins this plea by acknowledging God's complete awareness of his enemies' malicious plans. "LORD, you know all their plots to kill me." This isn't just a statement of fact; it's a foundation for his prayer. In a situation where human eyes can't see the hidden dangers, Jeremiah trusts that God's gaze misses nothing. Even the most secret conspiracies are laid bare before the Almighty.\n\nThis highlights a crucial aspect of prayer: bringing our deepest fears and the hidden evils we face directly into God's presence. Jeremiah isn't pretending everything is fine; he's bringing the raw reality of his peril to the One who alone can truly see and act.", "readItAgain": "Notice how Jeremiah starts by emphasizing God's knowledge: "Yet, LORD, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slay me..."", "reflectionPrompt": "When you feel threatened or betrayed by hidden plots, what does it mean to you that God sees everything?", "supportingReferences": [ { "reference": "Psalm 139:1-4", "connection": "This Psalm beautifully articulates God's intimate knowledge of our thoughts and actions, even before we speak them." }, { "reference": "Hebrews 4:13", "connection": "This verse confirms that no creature is hidden from God's sight, and all things are naked and exposed before Him." } ] }, { "title": "The Weight of Sin and the Call for Justice", "hook": "Jeremiah doesn't just ask for protection; he calls for judgment. What does this intense plea reveal about sin and God's righteous anger?", "teaching": "The prophet's words, "Forgive not their iniquity, nor blot out their sin from your sight. Let them be overthrown before you; deal with them in the time of your anger," are stark and challenging. He's not praying for mercy here, but for justice. The repeated phrases "forgive not" and "nor blot out" emphasize the gravity of the sin committed against him and against God.\n\nThis isn't a call for personal revenge, but an appeal to God's righteous character. Jeremiah sees the deep-seated rebellion and treachery, and he knows that such actions have consequences. He's essentially asking God to act decisively against unrepentant wickedness, especially when it targets His prophet and His purposes. The mention of "the time of your anger" points to the ultimate, righteous judgment God will execute on evil.", "readItAgain": "Consider the strong language: "Forgive not their iniquity, nor blot out their sin from your sight, but let them be overthrown..."", "reflectionPrompt": "How does Jeremiah's prayer help you understand the seriousness of sin and the necessity of God's justice, even when it's difficult to accept?", "supportingReferences": [ { "reference": "Psalm 5:5-6", "connection": "This Psalm also speaks of God's opposition to evildoers and His ultimate judgment against them, showing this is a theme throughout Scripture." }, { "reference": "Romans 1:18", "connection": "Paul explains that God's wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness, underscoring the reality of divine anger against sin." } ] }, { "title": "A Prophet's Duty vs. A Christian's Way", "hook": "Jeremiah's prayer sounds harsh to modern ears. How does his prophetic duty differ from the way Jesus calls us to respond to our enemies?", "teaching": "It's vital to understand Jeremiah's context. As a prophet under the Old Covenant, he was called to pronounce God's judgment on unrepentant sin and treachery. His prayer here is a prophetic declaration of the consequences of their actions, an expression of zeal for God's honor, rather than mere personal vindictiveness. The commentators note that this stern language belongs to the "legal spirit" of the Old Covenant.\n\nHowever, Jesus introduced a "more excellent way" (1 Corinthians 12:31). He taught His followers to love their enemies, bless those who curse them, and pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44). While Jeremiah prayed for judgment, Jesus, the ultimate prophet and sacrifice, prayed from the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). This contrast isn't to condemn Jeremiah, but to highlight the transformative grace and new ethic brought by Christ.", "readItAgain": "Notice the plea for "the time of your anger," and contrast it with Jesus' prayer for forgiveness, especially as the commentators highlight this difference.", "reflectionPrompt": "In what ways are you called to imitate Christ's love for enemies, even when facing opposition or injustice?", "supportingReferences": [ { "reference": "Matthew 5:43-48", "connection": "Jesus directly instructs His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them, setting a new standard." }, { "reference": "Acts 7:59-60", "connection": "Stephen, the first Christian martyr, followed Jesus' example by praying for forgiveness for his executioners, echoing Christ's prayer." } ] } ] }
"Yet you, O LORD, know all their plotting to kill me. Forgive not their iniquity, nor blot out their sin from your sight. Let them be overthrown before you; deal with them in the time of your anger." — Jeremiah’s cry isn't just a wish for enemies to stumble; it's a plea for God to recognize their wickedness for what it is. He asks that their iniquity not be "blotted out" from God's sight, meaning h…
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