Jeremiah 2:1-13
For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me,the fountain of living waters,and hewed out cisterns for themselves,broken cisterns that can hold no water. – Jeremiah 2:13
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We’ve seen in Leviticus that holiness is more than just obeying commands; it’s a living, responsive relationship with God. Now, as we turn to Jeremiah, we see the tragic result of breaking that relationship, a theme that connects directly to the idea of what we dedicate to God.
Jeremiah 2:13 presents us with a powerful metaphor where God laments Israel’s unfaithfulness. He says, “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.”
A spring is a natural, endless source of life-giving water, while a cistern is a man-made reservoir that is dependent on rain and becomes useless if cracked.
God’s indictment points to two foolish choices made by the Israelites: First, forsaking the spring of living water, abandoning God, the inexhaustible source of life and satisfaction. Second, digging their own cisterns, actively pursuing man-made sources of fulfilment. These “broken cisterns,” representing idols and worldly pleasures, are ultimately flawed and leave us empty despite our best efforts.
This is a stark parallel to the voluntary “special vows” we read about in Leviticus 27. The act of dedicating a gift, a possession, or a person to God was a voluntary expression of worship and trust in Him, a way of acknowledging Him as the ultimate source. But in Jeremiah, we see the inverse: the people were actively dedicating their lives to broken things, forsaking the one true source.
This passage reminds us that we, too, can fall into the same trap. What “cisterns” are we digging today? Are we seeking lasting fulfilment in our careers, our wealth, our social status, or our relationships, believing that these will provide the life and satisfaction only God can give? We may dedicate our energy, time, and resources to these things, only to find that they are like broken cisterns; they ultimately leave us feeling empty and unfulfilled.
Holiness is not just about avoiding sin; it is about the right dedication and devotion. It’s about turning away from the broken cisterns of this world and actively drawing from the spring of living water, which is God himself. As Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well, whoever drinks the water He gives will never thirst again (John 4:14).
Let us, like the poor widow in Luke 21, not try to impress God with our gifts to the broken cisterns of this world, but offer our whole lives to the one true spring of living water.
Reflection:
• What broken cisterns might I be digging in my life, hoping to find satisfaction outside of God? • How can I more intentionally dedicate my life to God as the “spring of living water,” rather than treating Him as just another item on a list of religious duties?
Prayer:
Dear Lord, we confess our foolishness. We often turn away from You, the spring of living water, and spend our lives digging broken cisterns that leave us empty. Forgive us for our misplaced dedication and misplaced hope. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so that we may always turn to You for true satisfaction. Help us to dedicate our lives to You, our ultimate source of life and joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Click to read
We’ve seen in Leviticus that holiness is more than just obeying commands; it’s a living, responsive relationship with God. Now, as we turn to Jeremiah, we see the tragic result of breaking that relationship, a theme that connects directly to the idea of what we dedicate to God.
Jeremiah 2:13 presents us with a powerful metaphor where God laments Israel’s unfaithfulness. He says, “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.”
A spring is a natural, endless source of life-giving water, while a cistern is a man-made reservoir that is dependent on rain and becomes useless if cracked.
God’s indictment points to two foolish choices made by the Israelites: First, forsaking the spring of living water, abandoning God, the inexhaustible source of life and satisfaction. Second, digging their own cisterns, actively pursuing man-made sources of fulfilment. These “broken cisterns,” representing idols and worldly pleasures, are ultimately flawed and leave us empty despite our best efforts.
This is a stark parallel to the voluntary “special vows” we read about in Leviticus 27. The act of dedicating a gift, a possession, or a person to God was a voluntary expression of worship and trust in Him, a way of acknowledging Him as the ultimate source. But in Jeremiah, we see the inverse: the people were actively dedicating their lives to broken things, forsaking the one true source.
This passage reminds us that we, too, can fall into the same trap. What “cisterns” are we digging today? Are we seeking lasting fulfilment in our careers, our wealth, our social status, or our relationships, believing that these will provide the life and satisfaction only God can give? We may dedicate our energy, time, and resources to these things, only to find that they are like broken cisterns; they ultimately leave us feeling empty and unfulfilled.
Holiness is not just about avoiding sin; it is about the right dedication and devotion. It’s about turning away from the broken cisterns of this world and actively drawing from the spring of living water, which is God himself. As Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well, whoever drinks the water He gives will never thirst again (John 4:14).
Let us, like the poor widow in Luke 21, not try to impress God with our gifts to the broken cisterns of this world, but offer our whole lives to the one true spring of living water.
Reflection:
• What broken cisterns might I be digging in my life, hoping to find satisfaction outside of God? • How can I more intentionally dedicate my life to God as the “spring of living water,” rather than treating Him as just another item on a list of religious duties?
Prayer:
Dear Lord, we confess our foolishness. We often turn away from You, the spring of living water, and spend our lives digging broken cisterns that leave us empty. Forgive us for our misplaced dedication and misplaced hope. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so that we may always turn to You for true satisfaction. Help us to dedicate our lives to You, our ultimate source of life and joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.