Book of Jeremiah - Chapter 7 - Verse 19

This verse from the book of Jeremiah emphasizes the consequences of provoking the LORD to anger. The LORD questions whether the people realize that by provoking Him, they are ultimately causing confusion and harm to themselves. In other words, the actions of the people are not just angering the LORD, but also leading to their own downfall. The verse serves as a reminder of the importance of being mindful of one's actions and the impact they can have on one's own life. It highlights the idea that when individuals act in ways that go against the will of the LORD, they are essentially working against their own best interests. By disobeying God and provoking Him to anger, the people are essentially inviting trouble and confusion into their lives. This verse thus serves as a warning against provoking divine wrath and emphasizes the importance of living in accordance with God's will to avoid facing the consequences of one's actions.

In this verse, we see the Lord expressing disbelief at the actions of His people, wondering if they intentionally provoke Him to anger. The Hebrew word used for "anger" here is often associated with the idea of heated emotion and intense displeasure. The word "provoke" can also be translated as "defy" or "challenge." This raises the question of whether the actions of the people are deliberately intended to upset God or if they are simply causing harm to themselves. The mention of "confusion of their own faces" suggests that the consequences of their actions will ultimately lead to shame and disgrace. The theological interpretation of this verse points to the idea that when we go against God's will and provoke Him to anger, we are ultimately causing harm to ourselves as well. It serves as a reminder that our actions have consequences, not only in our relationship with God but also in how we are perceived by others.