Understanding Jeremiah 17:5-11 in Simple Terms
If you’ve ever seen a big, healthy tree by a river, you know how strong and green it looks—even when the weather gets tough. That’s the picture Jeremiah uses in the Bible to talk about people who trust in God. He says they’re like a tree planted by water, sending out roots to the stream. When the heat comes or even during a drought, the leaves stay green and the tree still gives fruit, never drying out or giving up.
But Jeremiah also warns that people who only trust in themselves or in other people, instead of God, are like a lonely, dry shrub out in the desert—no roots, no water, nothing to help it grow. In other words, if our confidence is just in our own abilities, or in what others can do for us, we end up empty, frustrated, and without real hope or strength when hard times hit.
Jeremiah points out that our hearts can trick us. Sometimes we think we’re doing fine on our own, or we might call something good when it’s actually harmful. Our feelings and thoughts can lead us astray, and we may not even know our own weaknesses until we’re tested. We can’t always see the truth about ourselves, and we definitely can’t know what’s really inside other people’s hearts.
But here’s the good news: God understands us completely. God sees what’s inside our hearts, even when we can’t. So, instead of chasing after things like money, power, or status (which can disappear in an instant and never really satisfy us), Jeremiah encourages us to be honest, do good, and put our trust in God.
When we trust God:
· We become like that tree by the water—steady, healthy, and able to handle life’s challenges.
· We don’t have to worry so much, even when things get tough. There’s a deep peace and satisfaction that comes from relying on God.
· We keep producing “fruit”—good things in our lives, like kindness, generosity, and honesty—no matter what our circumstances are.
So, the main lesson is this: instead of depending only on ourselves or what we can get from others, let’s put our hope in God. He gives us strength, peace, and purpose that lasts—even when life gets hard. Let’s also be wise and honest in how we live, using what we have to help others. That’s how we truly flourish, like a well-watered tree.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 