ירמיהו, פרק י״ז, פסוק י״ג

The bond between the Israelites and God rests entirely on absolute trust. When a person abandons the eternal source of life and places their confidence in flesh and blood, the inevitable result is bitter disappointment, spiritual isolation, and the loss of an eternal future.

God serves as the ultimate anchor of hope and support for all who rely on Him [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. It is especially fitting for the Israelites to place their trust in God, as His presence dwells directly among them and within the Temple [רש״י, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. He is likened to a natural spring [מצודת ציון] that overflows with living water, constantly providing goodness and blessing to those who remain close to Him [מצודת דוד, רד״ק].

Consequently, those who forsake God to place their faith in mortal humans are destined for shame and profound disappointment [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, צאינה וראינה]. Often driven by greed and a crooked heart, these individuals will eventually discover that their earthly wealth cannot be maintained. In the end, they will be left entirely abandoned, forsaken, and humiliated [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

This deliberate distancing takes different forms. Commentators offer two main perspectives on exactly what these individuals are turning away from. One approach suggests they are distancing themselves directly from God's words and the heights of holiness, refusing to carry out His mission [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Another perspective maintains that the prophet himself is speaking about those who have strayed from his own good path; while the prophet remains devoted to God, the people have distanced themselves from his guidance and abandoned the path of truth [מצודת דוד, רד״ק].

The consequence for this abandonment operates on a clear principle of measure for measure. Because these individuals abandoned God, the eternal and heavenly source, to trust in flesh and blood which belongs to the physical earth, their own ultimate fate will be recorded in the earth rather than in heaven. As a result, they forfeit their portion in the World to Come [רד״ק, צאינה וראינה]. They are destined to descend into the lowest graves and the depths of the abyss [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. Their names will be forgotten, leaving behind no spiritual legacy, much like animals [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Offering an additional viewpoint, some explain that while unintentional sins are recorded in heaven, the deliberate offenses of those who purposely turn away from God are recorded below, directly in the earth [אהבת יהונתן].