Jeremiah 25:7

KJV

Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the LORD; that ye might provoke me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt.

KJV (with Strong's)

Yet ye have not hearkened {H8085} unto me, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}; that ye might provoke me to anger {H3707} with the works {H4639} of your hands {H3027} to your own hurt {H7451}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But you wouldn't listen to me," says ADONAI, "so that you could provoke me with the products of your hands, to your own harm."

Berean Standard Bible

‘But to your own harm, you have not listened to Me,’ declares the LORD, ‘so you have provoked Me to anger with the works of your hands.’

American Standard Version

Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith Jehovah; that ye may provoke me to anger with the work of your hands to your own hurt.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 25:7 encapsulates the tragic culmination of Judah's persistent rebellion against the LORD. Despite decades of divine warnings and patient appeals delivered through His prophets, the nation adamantly refused to obey God's voice, instead choosing to engage in idolatrous and disobedient practices. This willful defiance provoked God's righteous anger, ultimately leading to self-inflicted devastation and the impending judgment of Babylonian exile. The verse starkly highlights the direct correlation between human sin and its inevitable, painful consequences, serving as a divine lament over Judah's spiritual stubbornness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 25 serves as a pivotal and somber turning point within the book of Jeremiah, marking the definitive pronouncement of seventy years of Babylonian captivity for Judah. Verses 1-7 establish the historical and theological groundwork for this severe judgment. The prophecy is precisely dated to the fourth year of King Jehoiakim (605/604 BC), a critical juncture immediately preceding Nebuchadnezzar's first invasion of Judah and the beginning of the exile. Jeremiah recounts God's consistent and tireless sending of prophets "from early morning" (v. 4) to warn the people, urging them to repent and turn from their evil ways (v. 5). Verse 7, therefore, acts as the divine lament and summary statement of Judah's utter failure to heed these repeated warnings, setting the grim stage for the detailed prophecy of the "cup of wrath" that follows, symbolizing God's judgment upon Judah and the surrounding nations (v. 15ff.).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of King Jehoiakim's reign (609-598 BC) was characterized by profound political instability and rampant spiritual apostasy in Judah. Following the death of the reforming King Josiah, his successors, particularly Jehoiakim, systematically reversed many of Josiah's reforms, leading the nation back into widespread idolatry and social injustice. Geopolitically, Judah was caught between the declining Assyrian empire, the ascendant power of Babylon, and the lingering influence of Egypt. Rather than trusting in the LORD, the people and their leaders frequently sought alliances with foreign powers and readily embraced their religious practices. The "works of your hands" in this verse directly refers to the pervasive idolatry—the construction of altars to foreign gods, the worship of the "queen of heaven," and the adoption of pagan rituals—alongside the rampant social injustices, oppression, and corruption that defied the clear stipulations of the Mosaic Covenant.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 25:7 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes found throughout the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Patience and Human Stubbornness**. God repeatedly sent His prophets, including Jeremiah, to call His people to repentance, demonstrating immense patience and long-suffering, yet Judah consistently refused to "hearken" or give ear to His voice (see [Jeremiah 7:24](/jeremiah/7-24 "Jeremiah 7:24 - Judah's Stubborn Heart") and [Jeremiah 11:7-8](/jeremiah/11-7-8 "Jeremiah 11:7-8 - The Broken Covenant")). Secondly, the verse highlights the **Consequences of Disobedience**. It explicitly states that their actions would "provoke me to anger... to your own hurt," establishing a clear and unavoidable cause-and-effect relationship between sin and divine judgment. This theme is central to Jeremiah's message, as seen in the detailed prophecies of exile and destruction (e.g., [Jeremiah 25:9-11](/jeremiah/25-9-11 "Jeremiah 25:9-11 - The Seventy-Year Exile")). Thirdly, it touches upon the pervasive theme of **Idolatry and False Worship**, as the "works of your hands" primarily refers to the making and worshipping of idols, a recurring sin that consistently drew God's righteous wrath throughout Israel's history (cf. [Deuteronomy 32:21](/deuteronomy/32-21 "Deuteronomy 32:21 - Provoking God with Idols") and [Jeremiah 19:4-5](/jeremiah/19-4-5 "Jeremiah 19:4-5 - Idolatry and Child Sacrifice")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **hearkened (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** H8085 - A primitive root meaning "to hear intelligently," which implies not just auditory perception but also attention, understanding, and, most critically in a covenantal context, obedience. In the phrase "ye have not hearkened," it signifies a profound and willful refusal to listen, comprehend, and act upon God's clear instructions, warnings, and appeals. This denotes a spiritual deafness and hardened heart that inevitably leads to active disobedience.
* **provoke me to anger (Hebrew, _kaʻaç'_):** H3707 - A primitive root meaning "to trouble," and by implication, "to grieve, rage, or be indignant." This term describes the active stirring of divine displeasure, not as an arbitrary or capricious outburst, but as a righteous and holy response to deliberate rebellion, affront, and covenant violation. Their actions were a direct and intentional cause of God's holy wrath, indicating a serious breach of the covenant relationship.
* **hurt (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** H7451 - This word denotes "bad" or "evil," encompassing both natural and moral dimensions. As a noun, it signifies adversity, affliction, calamity, mischief, sorrow, or destruction. The phrase "to your own hurt" emphasizes that the devastating consequences of their disobedience were not merely external impositions but were self-inflicted. God's judgment, therefore, is portrayed as the inevitable, painful, and just outcome of their own choices and actions, bringing about the very calamities they sought to avoid or that God sought to prevent.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the LORD;":** This opening clause encapsulates the core of Judah's transgression: a persistent, willful, and tragic refusal to listen to and obey God's commands and warnings. Despite God's repeated and patient communication through His prophets, the people remained spiritually deaf. The emphatic phrase "saith the LORD" (Yᵉhôvâh, the self-existent and covenant-keeping God) underscores the divine authority behind these words, emphasizing that their disobedience was directly against the sovereign and faithful God who had entered into a sacred covenant with them.
* **"that ye might provoke me to anger":** This clause reveals the direct consequence and nature of their disobedience. Their actions were not merely passive neglect but active, deliberate provocations that stirred God's righteous indignation. This anger is not akin to human petulance or sin, but is a holy wrath against sin, a necessary and just response from a perfectly righteous God whose covenant, character, and holiness were being defiled and scorned.
* **"with the works of your hands":** This specifies the tangible means of their provocation. "The works of your hands" primarily refers to their widespread idolatrous practices—the making and worshipping of idols, which were tangible objects crafted by human hands—but also encompasses all their unrighteous deeds, social injustices, moral corruption, and reliance on human strength or foreign alliances rather than God. These tangible actions were the visible manifestations of their inward rebellion and spiritual apostasy.
* **"to your own hurt.":** This concluding phrase delivers the ultimate, tragic irony and the inevitable outcome. The very actions they undertook, presumably for their own benefit, security, or according to their own desires, ultimately led to their own detriment, suffering, and destruction. God's judgment, therefore, is portrayed not as arbitrary punishment but as the inevitable and just outcome of their self-destructive choices, bringing about the very calamities they sought to avoid and that God had warned them against.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 25:7 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. **Anthropomorphism** is clearly evident in the phrase "provoke me to anger," attributing the human emotion of anger to God. This device helps the audience grasp the depth of God's righteous displeasure at their persistent rebellion, making the divine response relatable while simultaneously emphasizing its holiness, justice, and the serious nature of their sin. The verse also masterfully utilizes **Cause and Effect**, establishing a clear and inescapable link between Judah's disobedience ("ye have not hearkened... with the works of your hands") and its inevitable, painful outcome ("provoke me to anger... to your own hurt"). This highlights a fundamental biblical principle that actions have consequences, especially within the covenant relationship with God. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Irony** or **Paradox**: the people's "works of their hands" were presumably intended to secure their well-being, prosperity, or fulfill their desires, yet they ultimately resulted in their "own hurt." This underscores the profound futility, self-destructive nature, and tragic consequences of sin when it directly opposes divine wisdom and guidance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 25:7 profoundly articulates the theological principle that persistent disobedience to God's revealed will inevitably leads to divine judgment and self-inflicted suffering. It underscores God's unwavering holiness, which cannot tolerate sin, and His perfect justice, which ensures that rebellion against His covenant brings about its own painful consequences. The verse also highlights the true nature of "hearing" in a biblical sense, which is not merely auditory perception but active, intelligent, and obedient response. It exposes the tragic reality that human autonomy, when exercised apart from God's wisdom and guidance, is ultimately self-destructive. It serves as a stark reminder that God's warnings are not arbitrary threats but loving appeals designed to avert disaster, and their rejection guarantees the very "hurt" they were meant to prevent, demonstrating God's faithfulness even in judgment.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Proverbs 1:31](/proverbs/1-31 "Proverbs 1:31 - Eating the Fruit of One's Ways")
* [Romans 2:5](/romans/2-5 "Romans 2:5 - Storing Up Wrath")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 25:7 serves as a timeless mirror for humanity, reflecting the profound truth that our choices have significant spiritual and practical ramifications. It challenges us to deeply examine the "works of our hands"—our daily habits, our priorities, our relationships, our vocational pursuits, and our patterns of worship—and honestly ask whether they truly align with God's revealed will. The divine call to "hearken" is not merely about intellectual assent to biblical truths, but about cultivating a deep, transformative obedience that shapes our entire lives. When we neglect God's voice, whether through His written Word, the subtle prompting of the Holy Spirit, or the wise counsel of godly community, we are, in essence, provoking Him and setting ourselves on a path "to our own hurt." This verse encourages a posture of profound humility, active listening, and responsive obedience, reminding us that God's commands are always for our ultimate good, and deviating from them invariably leads to suffering, both personal and communal. It is a call to align our will with His, for our flourishing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be actively "not hearkening" to God's voice, perhaps out of stubbornness, pride, or a desire for self-reliance?**
* **What "works of my hands"—my actions, decisions, or creations—might be inadvertently or directly provoking God's displeasure, and how can I align them with His perfect will?**
* **How have I personally experienced the truth that disobedience ultimately leads "to my own hurt," and what profound lessons can I draw from those difficult experiences?**
* **What practical and intentional steps can I take today to cultivate a deeper posture of humble listening and responsive obedience to the LORD in all aspects of my life?**

### FAQ

**What does "provoke me to anger" mean in the context of God?**

Answer: When the Bible speaks of God being "provoked to anger," as in [Jeremiah 25:7](/jeremiah/25-7 "Jeremiah 25:7 - Judah's Disobedience"), it refers to His righteous and holy indignation against sin. Unlike human anger, which can often be irrational, selfish, or sinful, God's anger is always just, perfectly controlled, and a pure expression of His immutable character. It is a necessary and holy response to willful rebellion, idolatry, covenant-breaking, and injustice, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to holiness, truth, and justice. It signifies that human actions have real consequences in the divine-human relationship and that God is not indifferent to sin but actively opposes it for the sake of His own glory and the ultimate good of His creation.

**Does God's anger mean He is not loving?**

Answer: No, God's anger does not negate His profound love; rather, it often stems from His perfect love and holiness. Just as a loving parent might be angered by a child's self-destructive behavior or defiance that harms them, God's anger is a righteous response to actions that harm His people, defile His creation, and defy His perfect will. His warnings, judgments, and expressions of anger, though severe, are often intended to bring about repentance, restoration, and a return to life-giving obedience, demonstrating His deep desire for His people to turn back to Him and experience true flourishing (e.g., [Ezekiel 33:11](/zekiel/33-11 "Ezekiel 33:11 - God Desires Repentance, Not Death")). His anger is always in perfect proportion to the offense and is an integral attribute of His perfectly just character, just as His boundless love and mercy are.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 25:7, with its lament over Judah's tragic failure to "hearken" to the LORD and their self-inflicted "hurt" through the "works of their hands," finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several glorious ways. Firstly, Jesus Christ is the ultimate embodiment of perfect obedience, the One who perfectly "hearkened" to the Father's will in every respect, even to the point of humbling Himself and accepting death on a cross (cf. [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Where Israel failed to obey the Law and provoked God's anger with the "works of their hands" (idolatry, injustice, rebellion), Christ, through His sinless life and perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, offered the ultimate "work" that perfectly pleased God and fully satisfied divine justice (cf. [Hebrews 10:5-10](/hebrews/10-5-10 "Hebrews 10:5-10 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice and New Covenant")). Furthermore, the "hurt" that Judah brought upon themselves through their sin was ultimately borne by Christ Himself. He became the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), enduring the divine wrath and curse that humanity deserved, so that all who believe in Him might be spared from their own "hurt" and receive reconciliation with God (cf. [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Thus, the very problem of human disobedience and its painful consequences, so starkly presented in Jeremiah, is gloriously resolved in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who now graciously invites all to "hearken" to His voice and find eternal life and true flourishing (cf. [John 10:27-28](/john/10-27-28 "John 10:27-28 - My Sheep Hear My 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 Kings 21:15

Because they have done [that which was] evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt, even unto this day.

Deuteronomy 32:21

They have moved me to jealousy with [that which is] not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with [those which are] not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

Jeremiah 32:30

For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have only done evil before me from their youth: for the children of Israel have only provoked me to anger with the work of their hands, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 32:33

And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching [them], yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.

Proverbs 8:36

But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

2 Kings 17:17

And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

Nehemiah 9:26

Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.