Jeremiah 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.
Jeremiah 18:23
This is a correction to God’s people—“yet, O LORD, you know all their counsel against me to slay me.” Jeremiah asks for forgiveness not to be withheld, but rather for the wicked to face their sin. This is a plea for justice that aligns with divine wrath at the appropriate time. The verse captures the balance between mercy and judgment and the prophet’s desire for repentance among his enemies.
This emphasizes divine justice—God’s refusal to simply let sin pass, and the seriousness with which He views okay.
- Personal: When wronged, forgive where possible, but pray for accountability and transformation of the wrongdoer.
- Community: Encourage justice processes that both protect victims and offer pathways to repentance.
Cross-References: Romans 12:17-21; Psalm 78:38; 2 Peter 3:9