This section contains one of Jeremiah's sermons. Notice its introduction, proclamation of the law, promise of blessing for the obedient, and threat of judgment for the disobedient.
17:19-20 The Lord commanded Jeremiah to station himself at the gates of Jerusalem, where the king and the people passed by. It seems impossible to determine which of the gates of Jerusalem was the so-called public gate. He was to call the kings and people to listen to the Lord's message that he had for them.
17:21-22 The Lord commanded His people to observe the Sabbath Day as the Mosaic Covenant specified. They were to refrain from carrying loads in and out of their houses or the city or doing any work (Exod. 20:8-11; 23:15; 31:13-17; Deut. 5:12-15; Neh. 13:15-22; Amos 8:5).
17:23 The Judahites forefathers had not obeyed this commandment but had become obstinate and refused to listen to the Lord and to take correction. The Pharisees of Jesus' day went to the other extreme and permitted almost no activity on the Sabbath Day, for which He rebuked them.
17:24-25 The Lord promised that if the people of Jeremiah's day obeyed He would give them more Davidic kings and officials who would inhabit Jerusalem and be strong leaders of the people. The city would then enjoy inhabitants forever rather than experiencing total abandonment by the Lord (cf. Isa. 58:1-14; Zech. 2:2-12; 8:3, 15; 14:11). Security depended on obedience, and repentance was still possible.
17:26 The Judahites would then return to Jerusalem from all parts of the country. They would bring many different sacrifices to offer to the Lord at the temple.
17:27 However, if the people did not observe the Sabbath Day to keep it holy (different from the other days), the Lord would consume Jerusalem with unquenchable fire. Notice the prominence in these promises and threats of the throne of David, the temple, and the city of Jerusalem. These comprised the basic elements of the national and religious life of the covenant people.
It was not just the fourth commandment that the people were responsible to keep, of course. Jeremiah might have chosen to preach on any of the other nine commandments, and he may have done so at other times. This message is probably representative of many similar sermons that the prophet delivered calling the people back to obedience to the covenant. It was repentance that would postpone judgment, not just obedience to the fourth commandment. Yet the fourth commandment had special significant. Sabbath observance recognized Yahweh as Creator and Redeemer, and so witnessed against idolatry. It guaranteed God's people rest, which they could not obtain from idols. And it was one of the unique features of Israel's religion since it marked the special covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel.
