Deceit of the Heart

Jeremiah 17-21

So I start reading Jeremiah 17 and the first thing that comes to mind is a scene from Harry Potter where Harry is made to write with a blood quill and it carves the words he writes on paper into the back of his hand. It is not normal for me to think of Harry Potter when I read scripture, but Jeremiah 17 begins with God proclaiming through the prophet Jeremiah that "the sin of Judah is inscribed with an iron chisel— engraved with a diamond point on their stony hearts."

Even at this late, late stage, it is not yet too late. Yes their sin has been written on their hearts, but by their own hand and it can be removed if they will repent, but they do not desire to repent because "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" They go so far as to have the high priest imprison and punish Jeremiah for the words he prophesies.

Finally, when the the sin of Judah has reached a point where God will not turn back... when it is too late for repentance... when the Babylonian army is at the city gates, finally they ask Jeremiah to talk to God about saving them. I can almost see Jeremiah banging his head on the walls of the city... I've been trying to tell you, and trying to tell you but you wouldn't listen, and now you want me to talk to God. I'm sorry, it's too late. God desires that we turn back before it is too late. He desires that none should perish... but some will not listen for they have deceived themselves.