SPIRITUAL GEMS: Week of June 15-21, 2026, JEREMIAH 7 and 8, Answers.

SPIRITUAL GEMS: June 15-21, 2026, JEREMIAH 7 and 8, Answers.

Let's look for hidden gems (10 mins.)

Jeremiah 8:22. Jeremiah said: “Is there no balm in Gilead?” What did he mean? (Jeremiah 135 par. 14).

By using the expression “Is there no balm in Gilead?”, Jeremiah was referring, figuratively, to the deplorable spiritual condition of the people of Judah and their utter refusal to heal their relationship with God. The people suffered from a serious spiritual “disease” due to their constant disobedience, idolatry, and social injustice.

Jehovah God had provided the “balm,” or necessary treatment, through the warnings of the prophets and the guidance of his Law. There were also spiritual healers, such as the priests and Jeremiah himself, ready to help them heal.

By asking this rhetorical question, Jeremiah lamented that, despite having the cure within their reach, the people completely refused to change their ways. They did not want to repent or accept the divine treatment, and thus condemned themselves to suffer the consequences of their rebellion.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

This question concerned prophets who spoke falsehoods and offered no spiritual comfort to the people. We can say that today there is balm in the congregations. We can compare this life-giving balm to the comfort that Christian pastors offer us when they lovingly point out biblical principles, encourage us, and pray for us and with us.

Jeremiah wasn't referring to a literal balm, but to the spiritual healing the people needed. Because the leaders weren't teaching Jehovah's truth, that help didn't come. Today, however, we do have that "balm" through the Bible and the loving help Jehovah gives us through the congregation.

This account reminds us that when we face a problem or feel discouraged, the best solution is not always to seek only human advice. Jehovah has already given us a spiritual “balm” in his Word and in the congregation to help us regain peace and strengthen our faith.

This account makes us appreciate the elders in the congregation very much. When they listen to us, give us Bible-based counsel, or even pray with us, they are being instruments that Jehovah uses to encourage us and help us to keep going spiritually.

When Jeremiah asked, “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?” he wasn’t primarily referring to a physical illness. Gilead was a region known for producing a balm highly valued for its healing properties. Thus, Jeremiah’s question was a powerful illustration. If an effective remedy existed and there were people trained to apply it, why was the nation still spiritually sick? The answer was that the problem wasn’t a lack of a cure, but rather the people’s attitude. Jehovah had provided them with guidance through his prophets, but they preferred to listen to false messages.

As Jeremiah 5:31 points out, the prophets were prophesying falsehoods and the priests were abusing their authority, while the people readily accepted this situation. Therefore, even though spiritual healing was available through Jehovah’s guidance, the nation was unwilling to receive or apply it. Thus, Jeremiah’s question expresses his deep sorrow at seeing that the possibility of spiritual recovery existed, yet the people rejected the treatment Jehovah offered to heal their hearts and restore their relationship with him.

Today, that “balm in Gilead” also exists. Jehovah provides us with spiritual help through his Word, holy spirit, and the elders in the congregation. When these elders encourage us with Bible principles, pray for us, and lovingly help us, they are applying that spiritual balm to us. To benefit from it, we must humbly accept Jehovah’s guidance and correction, allowing him to heal any spiritual weakness and strengthen our friendship with him.

What spiritual gems have you found in this week's Bible reading?

Jeremiah 7:3, 4. This text invites us to reflect on the fact that the Jews of Jeremiah's time believed that, simply by having the temple in their city, they were already protected, neglecting their personal relationship with God.

Jeremiah 7:3, 4. Today, we can apply this teaching by remembering that our worship should not become mechanical. It is not enough to simply “be” at the Kingdom Hall or adhere to a schedule if our heart is far from Jehovah. Jehovah does not seek appearances or routines, but a sincere change in our daily actions and genuine love for him and for our neighbor.

Jeremiah 7:9, 10. Jeremiah exposes the nation's lack of consistency. They wanted to live by their own moral rules during the week and then pretend everything was fine when they worshipped God. This gently reminds us of the importance of integrity.

Jeremiah 7:9, 10. It reminds us that who we are when no one is watching—at work, at school, or on social media—must match the servant of God who presents himself at the meetings. Being upright gives us peace of mind and helps to protect the reputation of Jehovah's name.

Jeremiah 7:13. It is very touching to see Jehovah's patience. The expression "to speak again and again" reflects the tender concern of a father who persists because he loves his children and does not want them to suffer.

Jeremiah 7:13. It reminds us that, in our times, Jehovah continues to speak to us again and again through Bible reading, publications, and the loving counsel of the elders. It is vital that we sharpen our spiritual hearing and respond promptly and humbly to his guidance, without putting off making changes.

Jeremiah 7:18. Although this verse sadly describes how entire families came together to practice false worship, it also leaves us with a valuable lesson by contrast: the power of family unity in serving God.

Jeremiah 7:18. It teaches us that when parents and children work together, whether preparing for family worship, striving to arrive early to meetings, or going out to preach, a very strong spiritual shield is created. It is a reminder that the spirituality of the home is a team effort.

Jeremiah 7:23. This is a beautiful and positive promise. Jehovah does not give us commandments to limit us, but “so that it may go well with us.” In a world full of constantly changing philosophies that often cause suffering, obeying Jehovah’s voice through Bible principles brings us stability, inner peace, and a real purpose. Obedience motivated by love always leads us to a good outcome.

Jeremiah 8:4, 5. A very gentle and human logic is used here. If we stumble on the street, the natural thing to do is to get up immediately, not to stay lying there. The same is true spiritually. We all make mistakes or go through periods of discouragement, but Jehovah reminds us that we can always “come back.”

Jeremiah 8:4, 5. It reminds us that we should not allow pride or guilt to prevent us from seeking Jehovah’s forgiveness and the help of the congregation. He is ready to help us get back on our feet.

Jeremiah 8:7. Jehovah uses the instinct of migratory birds to teach us a lesson in discernment. Animals know exactly when to change course to survive. Today, when we look at world conditions, we know that we are living in a crucial time in human history.

Jeremiah 8:7. This text encourages us to maintain a sense of urgency, not to be distracted by the temporary attractions of this system, and to give absolute priority to our spirituality.

Jeremiah 8:9. This verse is very applicable today, when there is an excess of information and so-called experts on every subject. The text shows us that any human knowledge that contradicts God's standards lacks a truly solid foundation.

Jeremiah 8:9. It tells us that when making important decisions, such as the type of entertainment we choose, how we raise our children, or our life goals, the opinion that truly matters is Jehovah's. Consulting his Word first is what makes us truly wise.

Jeremiah 8:11. The leaders of that time told the people what they wanted to hear, downplaying the seriousness of their spiritual problems. Today, the world offers superficial and temporary solutions to the problems of the heart. We, when preaching or comforting our brothers and sisters, do not offer false optimism. Rather, we point to the true solution: the Kingdom of God.

Jeremiah 8:11. On a personal level, this text teaches us not to mask our own weaknesses, but to recognize them and confront them at their root with Jehovah's help.

Jeremiah 8:22. The balm of Gilead was a highly prized ointment known for its healing and soothing properties. Jeremiah laments that, despite having medicine and a physician (Jehovah), the people chose to remain spiritually ill.

Jeremiah 8:22. This text is very comforting because it reminds us that, no matter how hurt we feel by life's problems, injustices, or our own imperfections, Jehovah's "balm"—his holy spirit, his Word, and the love of the brotherhood—is always available to heal us if we draw near to him.

Jeremiah 7:4. Placing their trust in the temple, considering it a kind of amulet, did not save the Jews. We must walk by faith, not by sight.

Isaiah 7:6. It teaches us that we should help orphans and avoid making their lives difficult. This applies not only literally but also spiritually. Some who have attended meetings and preaching on their own remember and appreciate the care, teaching, and help they received from brothers who saw the need and didn't just observe but helped.

Jeremiah 7:8. The text speaks of trusting in lies. Today we see how religion in general has deceived and lied to people. A clear example is the Roman Catholic Church, which claims to be apostolic through a line of apostolic successors that goes all the way back to the twelve apostles of Christ.

Jeremiah 7:9, 10. It teaches us to be wary of the current religious system. Members of many churches carry out their supposedly Christian worship, but they participate in practices such as stealing, murder, adultery, and dishonesty. They make religious sacrifices to other gods and even claim that they are the temple of God.

Jeremiah 7:13. It speaks of those who ignored Jehovah despite the repeated counsel they received. This makes us think about ourselves. Do we find it difficult to obey Jehovah? We certainly know what he says, but there is a vast difference between knowing and doing.

Jeremiah 7:16. It is true that, generally, one does not pray publicly for someone who has left the congregation. Even so, the organization teaches that those who choose to pray for the sinner should do so privately and leave the other aspects of the matter to the elders responsible for the congregation.

Jeremiah 7:17. It teaches us that we must not turn a blind eye to sin. It would be very sad if someone were to ignore the serious sins of another person. This is especially difficult if the person involved is a family member, spouse, or close friend; that can be a real test.

Jeremiah 7:19. This text teaches us that sin harms ourselves, not God. When we sin, we are the ones who suffer the most. But we can always return to Jehovah; God awaits us with open arms.

Jeremiah 7:23. Walking in Jehovah’s way requires loyalty and a determination to serve him alone. It demands trust, complete faith that Jehovah’s promises are reliable and will come true. Walking in Jehovah’s way requires obedience: following his laws without deviating from them and keeping his high standards.

Jeremiah 8:7. It teaches us that just as Jehovah set a schedule for these birds, he has also set a time to execute his judgments. Observing migratory birds reminds us that Jehovah has a “set time” to bring about the end of this wicked world, and we can trust that he will do so. Today we have ample evidence that we are living in what the Bible calls “the last days.” Let us imitate the stork and be alert to the times in which we live.

Jeremiah 7:3. This verse reminds us that Jehovah looks not only at what we say, but also at the kind of person we are every day. Sometimes it is easy to think that by attending meetings or participating in the preaching work, we are already doing enough. But here Jehovah encourages us to keep improving our conduct.

Jeremiah 7:3. This text prompts us to ask ourselves: “Is there anything in our way of speaking, acting, or treating others that we can still improve to please Jehovah more?”

Jeremiah 7:5-7. In these verses, Jehovah mentions very practical things, such as being righteous and treating others well. This reminds us that true worship is not shown only inside the Kingdom Hall, but also at home, at work, or at school. Every day we have opportunities to show that Bible principles are truly influencing our actions.

Jeremiah 7:23. This verse perfectly summarizes what Jehovah expects of us: that we listen to his voice and obey it. It makes us think of a father who gives advice because he wants to protect his children. Jehovah never commands us to do anything to make our lives more difficult; on the contrary, everything he asks of us is for our benefit. Remembering this makes it easier for us to obey him, even when we don't fully understand a situation.

Jeremiah 7:24. He mentions that the people followed the desires of their own hearts instead of listening to Jehovah. This makes us reflect because today we too can be swayed by our feelings or by what the majority does.

Jeremiah 7:24. This verse reminds us that before making an important decision, it is good to ask ourselves: “Am I doing what I want or what Jehovah considers best for me?” That way of thinking can save us from many problems.

Jeremiah 8:4-6. In this verse, Jehovah points out that the people did not acknowledge their mistakes or say, “What have I done?” This teaches us that we can all make mistakes, but the important thing is to have the humility to accept them and make the necessary changes.

Jeremiah 8:4-6. It reminds us that admitting a mistake does not mean we are weak; rather, it shows that we want to continue growing spiritually and maintain a good friendship with Jehovah.

Jeremiah 8:7. It is very interesting that Jehovah uses the example of migratory birds. They instinctively follow the order he gave them, while many people choose to ignore God's guidance. This makes us appreciate the privilege of knowing the Bible.

Jeremiah 8:7. It reminds us that we have the opportunity to obey Jehovah because we love him, not because we act on instinct. This voluntary obedience strengthens our friendship with him.

Jeremiah 8:9. These verses show that a person may think he is very wise, but if he disregards Jehovah's wisdom, that wisdom has very little value.

Jeremiah 8:9. We live in a world where there are many opinions about how to be happy or how to solve problems. However, this passage reminds us that the best advice will always come from the Bible, because it comes from Jehovah, who knows perfectly what we need.

Jeremiah 8:22. This verse speaks of the balm of Gilead, known for its healing properties. It reminds us that Jehovah has always wanted to heal his people, not only physically, but especially spiritually. Today, he also provides us with everything we need to strengthen our faith through his Word, meetings, and the congregation.

Jeremiah 8:22. This text reminds us that if we ever feel discouraged or spiritually weak, the best help will always come from Jehovah and the provisions he lovingly provides.

Jeremiah 7:5. Jehovah did not simply tell them to change some habits, but to correct both their conduct and their actions. This shows that Jehovah pays attention not only to what we do, but also to the direction our lives take. He was willing to continue blessing his people, but he expected to see real changes.

Jeremiah 8:7. This verse reminds us that we can all occasionally examine whether there is anything in our thinking or actions that needs adjusting. Jehovah does not expect perfection, but he does expect us to be willing to make changes when we identify a weakness.

Jeremiah 7:23. One striking aspect is that Jehovah summarized what he expected of his people in a very simple idea: to obey his voice. At times, the Israelites placed great importance on sacrifices and ceremonies, but Jehovah reminded them that the most important thing was to listen to him and obey him.

Jeremiah 7:23. He encourages us to ask ourselves whether we are listening to Jehovah’s voice through the Bible and the organization. Daily obedience in small matters shows that we value our relationship with him. Furthermore, Jehovah promises that we will prosper if we follow his guidance.

Jeremiah 8:7. In this verse, Jehovah mentions birds that instinctively follow the cycles he established. However, his own people, who had his Law and the prophets, did not respond to divine guidance. This shows us that, in a certain sense, animals acted more wisely than people.

Jeremiah 8:7. This verse encourages us to ask ourselves if we are attentive to Jehovah’s direction. We have the Bible, the meetings, and many other spiritual tools. It would be sad to have all that help and not take advantage of it. When we respond promptly to Jehovah’s guidance, we demonstrate true wisdom.

Jeremiah 8:22. Jeremiah knew that in Gilead there was a balm famous for its healing properties. That is why he uses this illustration to highlight a sad reality: the possibility of spiritual healing existed, but the people were not accepting Jehovah's help. The problem was not the lack of a remedy, but the refusal to receive it.

Jeremiah 8:22. It comforts us to know that we do have that spiritual balm today. Jehovah helps us through his Word, his holy spirit, and the elders in the congregation. When we accept Bible-based counsel and seek spiritual help when we need it, we allow Jehovah to heal our emotional and spiritual wounds.

Jeremiah 7:25. The expression “day after day” highlights Jehovah’s extraordinary patience. Even though the people repeatedly ignored his warnings, Jehovah kept sending his prophets. This teaches us that he does not rush to execute his judgments but gives ample opportunity for repentance.

Jeremiah 7:25. Jehovah did not send a single message or a single warning. The repetition demonstrates the importance of constant communication. Likewise, our persistence in preaching reflects Jehovah's desire that people have ample opportunities to hear the good news.

Jeremiah 7:25. This verse reminds us that ministry requires perseverance. Just as the prophets did not give up in the face of the people's apathy, neither should we become discouraged when we encounter indifference. Jehovah values ​​faithfulness and continued effort.

Jeremiah 8:7. The stork recognizes the right time to migrate and acts accordingly. This teaches us the importance of being attentive to the signs of the times and responding promptly to Jehovah's guidance.

Jeremiah 8:7. The example of the stork also highlights loyalty. In a world where commitments are often considered temporary, we Christians strive to be loyal to Jehovah, to our brothers and sisters, and to our families.

Jeremiah 8:7. Birds instinctively obey the patterns Jehovah has set for them. In contrast, we have the privilege of obeying him consciously and willingly. This obedience, motivated by love, strengthens our friendship with Jehovah.

Jeremiah 8:22. The question about the balm of Gilead shows that the problem was not a lack of help, but a refusal to receive it. This reminds us that Jehovah always provides spiritual guidance, but each person must decide to accept and apply it.

Jeremiah 8:22. The balm of Gilead symbolizes the spiritual provisions that Jehovah gives us today through his Word and the congregation. When we take advantage of these aids, we strengthen our faith and find relief from our afflictions.

Jeremiah 8:22. This verse highlights the value of the Christian congregation. Elders and mature brothers and sisters can be instruments Jehovah uses to comfort, encourage, and help us heal emotional and spiritual wounds. Therefore, when we face difficulties, it is wise to draw closer to the congregation rather than isolate ourselves.