Good Morning Yamon Ki Yesepar and Nevim Arith Hayomim:
Jeremiah 17:5: “Thus saith the Lord, ‘Curse be the man that trust in man and makes flesh his arm and whose heart turns away from God.”
Jeremiah lived at the same time as Nahum. However, where Nahum dealt with the coming destruction of nations opposing Judah, Jeremiah dealt with the sins of Judah and their future destruction. Jeremiah focused on the fact that although King Josiah was purging the nation of idolatry, yet idolatry still remained in the hearts of the people. Jeremiah continued to prophesy for the 23 years after the death of King Josiah up to the time of the Babylonian Captivity. The people refused to believe that destruction was at hand. They looked around at their prosperity, the temple, and their religious life and could not believe that it would all end. They were, after all, God’s people, they had the temple, and surely God would not bring down his temple.
Yet, their belief system was corrupted with the system of the world. Curse (‘arar – to be without the protection and power of God) be the man (gavar – mighty man, leader, governmental, religious, and/or family leader) that trust (batak – clings or adheres to) man (adam – earthly, fleshly man). A man who clings to the human reason, power, influence, resource of human man, forfeits his protection from God. When he make flesh (basar – the good news or counsel of man) his arm (zara’- primary source of nourishment, financial security) and whose heart (lev – source of all passions) turns away (yasar – to withdraw or pervert) God he loses all hope in God.
In other words the leader who clings to the wisdom and power of man and makes their counsel, power or influence his source of security and withdraws from God or perverts the message of God will be without the power and protection of God.
On the surface it looked like revival came to Judah, yet, secretly they still paid tribute to the queen of heaven (Ashrash) who they saw as their source of security in hard times. The still worshipped Baal which included Molech, passing their children through the fire. History shows these “children” were newborn babies. They were offered by parents who did not want the responsibility (time and financial) of children and this was a legal way to resolve the conflict. Many have likened this to abortion.
Jeremiah described the fourfold judgment that would fall on the nation in a 20 year period. First there was economic collapse resulting in famine and starvation. Next violence broke out forcing people to hide in their homes. Then came a plague and finally the Babylonian army taking them captive.
Yet, those who put their trust in God rather than their own abilities or that of others, moved in the power and protection of God. This would include Jeremiah who was treated with respect and even honor by the invading Babylonians (mainly because he encouraged Judah to surrender to the Babylonians), as well as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednigo. The nation may had fallen on hard times, but those who made God their only source prospered. It may not fit your definition of prosper but they were blessed none the less.
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