The next passage (Jeremiah 17:14–18) in this section is the shortest of Jeremiah’s confessions. It is different from the other confessions in that there is no response from the Lord. These words spoken by Jeremiah must also be seen in the context of the words the Lord has spoken in Jeremiah 17:1–13. Even though Jeremiah 17:1–13 were primarily aimed at Judah, they would also have had profound significance to Jeremiah. They would have given him great cause to reflect on his own faithfulness to the Lord and even the fickle nature of his own heart when faced with opposition because of the message he brought to the people.
Jeremiah begins by calling on the Lord for healing. Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed, save me and I shall be saved.
Jeremiah is speaking of his need for spiritual healing and his words reflect what the Lord has said about the human heart inJeremiah 7:1–4 and especially in Jeremiah 7:9–10. He recognizes the sinfulness of his own heart, and that only the Lord can heal
his sin-sickness. The word save
is in parallel to heal
and whereas heal
refers to his need for internal healing, save
refers to his external circumstances. Jeremiah is crying out to the Lord for both internal wholeness and salvation from external troubles.1 Jeremiah calls out to the Lord in this way because the Lord is his praise.
He is expressing his loyalty to the Lord and his joyful adoration of the Lord, even when faced with difficult circumstances.2
14 Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.