Jeremiah 11:7

KJV

For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day [that] I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, [even] unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.

KJV (with Strong's)

For I earnestly {H5749} protested {H5749} unto your fathers {H1} in the day {H3117} that I brought them up {H5927} out of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, even unto this day {H3117}, rising early {H7925} and protesting {H5749}, saying {H559}, Obey {H8085} my voice {H6963}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For I solemnly warned your ancestors at the time when I brought them out of the land of Egypt; and until this day I have frequently warned them, "Listen to my voice!"

Berean Standard Bible

For from the time I brought your fathers out of the land of Egypt until today, I strongly warned them again and again, saying, ‘Obey My voice.’

American Standard Version

For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 11:7 serves as a poignant reminder of God's enduring faithfulness and persistent efforts to call His people, Judah, back to covenant obedience. From the moment He delivered their ancestors from Egyptian bondage, God consistently and diligently warned them through His prophets, urging them to "Obey my voice." This verse encapsulates centuries of divine patience and unwavering commitment, highlighting the tragic irony of Israel's repeated rebellion against a God who tirelessly sought their welfare, ultimately leading to the impending judgment and exile.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 11 initiates a section often referred to as "The Book of the Covenant" (chapters 11-12), where the prophet explicitly recalls the covenant God made with Israel at Mount Sinai. This chapter functions as a divine lawsuit, indicting Judah for their egregious violation of this covenant. Verse 7 specifically harks back to the foundational event of the Exodus, establishing the long historical trajectory of God's relationship with His people and His consistent communication. It underscores that Judah's current predicament is not due to God's neglect, but their persistent refusal to heed His long-standing warnings, echoing the covenant curses outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). The subsequent verses in chapter 11 detail the severe consequences of this disobedience, including impending destruction.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah's prophetic ministry spanned a tumultuous period in Judah's history, primarily from the late 7th to early 6th centuries BC, under kings like Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah. Judah faced immense geopolitical pressure from rising empires, particularly Babylon. The covenant mentioned in this chapter refers to the Mosaic Covenant, a foundational legal and theological framework for Israel's national identity and relationship with Yahweh. This covenant, structured similarly to ancient Near Eastern suzerain-vassal treaties, outlined mutual obligations and consequences for adherence or violation. The phrase "rising early" (Hebrew: _hashkem_) was a common idiom in the ancient Near East, signifying diligence, earnestness, and a proactive approach to a task, emphasizing God's tireless and persistent efforts to communicate with His people. The reference to "the land of Egypt" grounds God's initial covenant relationship in the historical act of liberation, a defining moment in Israel's national memory.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 11:7 powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic tradition. Foremost is the theme of **God's unwavering covenant faithfulness**, demonstrated by His consistent warnings and patient pursuit of His people, even in the face of their rebellion. This verse highlights **divine persistence and long-suffering**, showing God's reluctance to abandon His people despite their repeated infidelity. The phrase "rising early and protesting" emphasizes God's **diligent and earnest communication** through His prophets, a theme seen throughout Israel's history (e.g., [2 Chronicles 36:15](/2_chronicles/36-15 "2 Chronicles 36:15 - God's Persistent Warnings")). Conversely, the verse implicitly underscores **Israel's chronic disobedience and stubbornness**, as God's persistent warnings were met with a hardened heart. Ultimately, the verse sets the stage for the theme of **divine judgment** as the inevitable consequence of unrepentant covenant breaking, foreshadowing the Babylonian exile as a just outcome for their refusal to "Obey my voice," a command central to the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 5:27](/deuteronomy/5-27 "Deuteronomy 5:27 - Hear and Obey")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Protested (Hebrew, _ʻûwd'_):** This word (H5749) means "to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration)." It carries the sense of a solemn declaration or warning, often with legal or covenantal implications. The repetition of this root in the verse ("earnestly protested... and protesting") emphasizes the continuous, unwavering nature of God's warnings, not as a casual suggestion but as a serious, repeated admonition rooted in His covenant relationship with Israel. It implies God is bearing witness against their actions, reiterating His expectations and the consequences of disobedience.
* **Rising early (Hebrew, _shâkam'_):** This term (H7925) means "to incline (the shoulder to a burden); but used only as denominative from שְׁכֶם; literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e. to start early in the morning." Figuratively, it signifies diligence, earnestness, and promptness. When applied to God, it is an anthropomorphism conveying His tireless, eager, and consistent effort to communicate His will to His people. It suggests that warning His people was a top priority, pursued with the utmost diligence, much like a diligent worker attends to important matters at the very start of the day.
* **Obey (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** This verb (H8085) means "to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)." It's not merely about auditory perception but about hearing with understanding and responding with compliance. In the context of "Obey my voice," it signifies a call to active, willful submission to God's commands and instructions as laid out in the covenant. This word encapsulates the fundamental requirement of Israel's relationship with Yahweh: listening to and acting upon His revealed will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For I earnestly protested unto your fathers":** This clause establishes the divine speaker ("I," Yahweh) and the object of His communication ("your fathers," referring to previous generations of Israelites). The emphatic "earnestly protested" (a double use of the Hebrew root _ʻûwd_) highlights the solemn, repeated, and persistent nature of God's warnings. It's not a casual suggestion but a serious, legal-like declaration of His will and the consequences of deviation.
* **"in the day [that] I brought them up out of the land of Egypt":** This phrase pinpoints the origin of God's persistent warnings, tying them directly to the foundational act of the Exodus. This liberation from slavery was the moment God established His covenant with Israel, making it clear that His expectations and warnings were integral to the relationship from its very inception, rooted in His saving grace.
* **"[even] unto this day, rising early and protesting":** This clause emphasizes the continuity and diligence of God's communication. From the Exodus ("that day") to Jeremiah's present time ("this day"), God has consistently, tirelessly, and earnestly warned His people. The anthropomorphic "rising early" underscores His proactive, diligent, and persistent effort, demonstrating His immense patience and unwavering desire for their obedience and well-being.
* **"saying, Obey my voice.":** This final, concise command reveals the core message of God's persistent protestations. The essence of His desire for His people was simple: hear and obey His commands, as articulated in the Mosaic Law. This direct imperative encapsulates the central requirement of the covenant relationship, highlighting that Israel's failure was fundamentally a failure to listen and respond to God's clear and consistent instruction.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 11:7 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in God "rising early and protesting," attributing human actions of diligence and solemn declaration to the divine. This device makes God's earnestness and persistence relatable and impactful. The **repetition** of the verb "protested" (from the Hebrew root _ʻûwd_) creates a strong emphasis, underscoring the continuous and unwavering nature of God's warnings across generations. This repetition functions as a form of **intensification**, highlighting the gravity and frequency of God's appeals. The verse also utilizes **historical allusion** by referencing the Exodus ("brought them up out of the land of Egypt"), grounding God's covenant relationship and His subsequent warnings in a pivotal, salvific event in Israel's history. This allusion serves as a reminder of God's past faithfulness and Israel's foundational obligation. Finally, the direct command, "Obey my voice," is a clear example of **covenant language**, directly echoing the stipulations and expectations of the Mosaic Covenant, framing God's communication as a legal and relational imperative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 11:7 profoundly illustrates God's character as a faithful, patient, and persistent covenant Lord. It reveals that His warnings are not arbitrary but stem from His deep desire for His people's well-being and His unwavering commitment to the covenant He initiated. The verse underscores the tragic reality of human stubbornness and rebellion, where centuries of divine grace and clear instruction were met with consistent disobedience. This dynamic sets the stage for the necessity of divine judgment, not as an act of caprice, but as the just consequence of a broken covenant. The persistent call to "Obey my voice" highlights the enduring truth that a right relationship with God is predicated on hearing and responding to His revealed will, a principle that transcends dispensations.

* [Deuteronomy 6:4-5](/deuteronomy/6-4 "The Shema and Love for God"): This passage, the "Shema," encapsulates the core command to hear and obey God's voice, linking it directly to love for God with all one's being.
* [2 Kings 17:13-14](/2_kings/17-13 "Israel's Rejection of God's Warnings"): This text explicitly states how God sent prophets to warn Israel and Judah, urging them to turn from their evil ways, but they would not listen, hardening their necks like their fathers.
* [Nehemiah 9:29-30](/nehemiah/9-29 "God's Patience and Israel's Disobedience"): This prayer of confession recounts God's patience in sending His Spirit through prophets to warn His people, but they would not listen, leading to their scattering among the nations.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 11:7 serves as a profound mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine our own responsiveness to God's voice. Just as God diligently "rose early and protested" to ancient Israel, He continues to communicate His will to us today through His Word, His Spirit, and the counsel of His community. His patience and persistence with Israel, despite their repeated failures, offer immense comfort and hope, reminding us that His grace is unfailing even in our imperfections. However, it also issues a solemn warning: persistent disobedience, even in the face of clear divine instruction and loving admonition, carries spiritual consequences. Our call, like Israel's, remains to "Obey my voice"—to listen intently, understand deeply, and respond faithfully to the Lord's commands, recognizing that true flourishing is found in alignment with His perfect will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I recognize God "protesting" or warning me in my own life today?**
* **What specific areas of my life might need a renewed commitment to "Obey my voice"?**
* **How does God's persistent patience with ancient Israel encourage me in my own walk of faith, and how does it challenge me to respond more faithfully?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that God "protested" to His people?**

Answer: The Hebrew word for "protested" (H5749, _ʻûwd_) means to bear witness, warn, or admonish earnestly, often with the implication of solemn declaration or reiteration. In Jeremiah 11:7, it signifies that God did not merely suggest or advise, but repeatedly and seriously declared His will and the consequences of disobedience to His people. It's a strong, almost legal, term indicating that God was putting them on notice, testifying against their unfaithfulness and urging them to return to the covenant path. This "protesting" was a consistent, unwavering effort on God's part, highlighting His commitment to their well-being and His desire for them to live in accordance with His commands, as detailed in the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")).

**Why does the verse say God was "rising early" to protest?**

Answer: The phrase "rising early" (H7925, _shâkam_) is an anthropomorphism, attributing a human action to God. It's an idiom in ancient Hebrew that signifies diligence, earnestness, and promptness. When applied to God, it powerfully conveys His tireless, eager, and consistent effort to communicate His will to His people. It suggests that warning Israel and calling them to obedience was a top priority for God, pursued with the utmost diligence and without delay, much like a diligent master or parent attends to important matters first thing in the morning. It underscores God's profound patience and His unwavering desire for His people to repent and return to Him (e.g., [2 Chronicles 36:15](/2_chronicles/36-15 "2 Chronicles 36:15 - God's Compassion and Warnings")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 11:7, with its depiction of God's persistent "protest" and call to "Obey my voice," finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant, under which Israel repeatedly failed to obey God's voice, pointed to the need for a new and better covenant. Jesus is the very "voice" of God incarnate, the perfect revelation of the Father, through whom God now speaks most definitively (compare [John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God") and [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken by His Son")). Where Israel failed in obedience, Jesus perfectly fulfilled the law, living a life of complete submission to the Father's will (e.g., [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience")). Moreover, Christ inaugurates the New Covenant, prophesied by Jeremiah himself (e.g., [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant")), where God's law is written not on stone tablets, but on the hearts of believers, enabling them to truly "Obey my voice" through the indwelling Holy Spirit (see [Hebrews 8:8-12](/hebrews/8-8 "Hebrews 8:8-12 - A New Covenant")). Jesus is the ultimate Lamb of God whose sacrifice takes away sin, providing the means for humanity to be reconciled to God and empowered to walk in the obedience that Israel so tragically lacked (e.g., [Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3-4 - The Law and the Spirit")). Thus, the persistent call to obedience in Jeremiah culminates in the person and work of Christ, who enables a true and lasting response to God's voice.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 36:15

And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:

1 Samuel 8:9

Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.

Exodus 15:26

And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I [am] the LORD that healeth thee.

Ephesians 4:17

¶ This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Exodus 23:21

Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name [is] in him.

Exodus 23:22

But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.

Jeremiah 35:15

I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending [them], saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.