Jeremiah 35:13

KJV

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words? saith the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, the God {H430} of Israel {H3478}; Go {H1980} and tell {H559} the men {H376} of Judah {H3063} and the inhabitants {H3427} of Jerusalem {H3389}, Will ye not receive {H3947} instruction {H4148} to hearken {H8085} to my words {H1697}? saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"ADONAI-Tzva'ot the God of Isra'el says to go to the men of Y'hudah and the inhabitants of Yerushalayim and say: 'Won't you ever learn to listen to my words?' says ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

“This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Go and tell the men of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem: ‘Will you not accept discipline and obey My words?’ declares the LORD.

American Standard Version

Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel: Go, and say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words? saith Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 35:13 presents a poignant divine indictment against the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, contrasting their persistent disobedience with the unwavering loyalty of the nomadic Rechabites. Through the prophet Jeremiah, the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, issues a rhetorical question designed to highlight the profound spiritual failure of His covenant people: if a human clan can maintain generational fidelity to an ancestral command, why can God's own chosen nation not receive His instruction and hearken to His divine words? This verse serves as a stark call to accountability and a lament over Israel's spiritual stubbornness in the face of repeated divine appeals.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 35:13 is the climax of an object lesson initiated by God in [Jeremiah chapter 35](/jeremiah/35 "Jeremiah 35 - The Rechabites' Obedience"). The preceding verses detail God's command to Jeremiah to bring the Rechabite family into a chamber of the temple and offer them wine. The Rechabites, descendants of Jonadab son of Rechab (who lived centuries earlier, as noted in [2 Kings 10:15-23](/2_kings/10-15 "2 Kings 10:15-23 - Jehonadab's Loyalty to Jehu")), steadfastly refused the wine, explaining their ancestral vow to abstain from wine, live in tents, and not plant vineyards or own land. Their strict, generational adherence to this human command provides the immediate backdrop for God's rhetorical question in verse 13, which serves as a powerful rebuke to Judah's consistent failure to obey His divine commands. The chapter concludes with God promising blessing upon the Rechabites for their obedience and judgment upon Judah for their disobedience.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This prophecy takes place during the reign of King Jehoiakim (c. 609-598 BC), a period marked by profound spiritual decline and political instability in Judah. The nation was caught between the rising powers of Babylon and Egypt, facing imminent invasion and exile. Culturally, the people of Judah had largely abandoned the covenant stipulations of the Mosaic Law, engaging in idolatry, social injustice, and false worship, despite the persistent warnings of prophets like Jeremiah. The Rechabites, by contrast, represented an ancient, counter-cultural fidelity to a simple, nomadic lifestyle, deliberately rejecting the settled, agricultural practices that often led to syncretism and idolatry among the Israelites. Their distinct way of life, rooted in a vow of separation, made them a compelling example of unwavering commitment in a society riddled with spiritual compromise.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme underscored by this verse and the surrounding narrative is **Obedience to God's Word**. The unwavering fidelity of the Rechabites to a human command starkly highlights Judah's profound disinterest in obeying the divine commands of the Almighty. This contrast emphasizes the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness and Unfaithfulness**, as God's covenant people, Israel, repeatedly broke their vows, while an outsider group demonstrated exemplary loyalty. Furthermore, the verse reveals God's **Divine Patience and Persistent Warning**, as He continues to send His prophets and provide object lessons, even on the cusp of judgment, offering opportunities for repentance (cf. [Jeremiah 7:25-26](/jeremiah/7-25 "Jeremiah 7:25-26 - God's Persistent Sending of Prophets")). The title "LORD of hosts, the God of Israel" also powerfully asserts God's **Sovereignty and Authority**, reminding Judah of the weight and seriousness of His instruction.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **instruction (Hebrew, _mûwçâr'_):** From H4148, this word signifies chastisement, reproof, warning, or discipline. It implies not merely intellectual understanding but a transformative process of teaching and correction, often through experience, designed to guide one toward right conduct. For Judah, it was the divine guidance and correction repeatedly offered through the Law and the prophets, which they consistently rejected.
* **hearken (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** From H8085, this primitive root means to hear intelligently, often with the implication of paying attention and, crucially, obeying. It denotes an active, responsive listening that leads to compliance and submission. God's question highlights that Judah's failure was not merely a lack of hearing, but a refusal to truly listen and act upon His words.
* **words (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From H1697, this comprehensive term encompasses a word, a matter, a thing, a deed, or a decree. In this context, "my words" refers to the totality of God's divine revelation, His commandments, promises, warnings, and instructions given through His covenant. It signifies the authoritative and comprehensive nature of God's communication to His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel":** This powerful opening establishes the divine authority behind the message. "The LORD of hosts" (YHWH Sabaoth) emphasizes God's sovereignty over all creation, including heavenly armies, signifying His immense power and absolute right to command. "The God of Israel" reaffirms His unique covenant relationship with His chosen people, underscoring the intimacy and gravity of His address to them.
* **"Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem":** This is a direct command to Jeremiah, emphasizing the urgency and specificity of the message. The target audience is the leadership ("men of Judah") and the general populace ("inhabitants of Jerusalem"), indicating a widespread spiritual problem that permeated all levels of society.
* **"Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words? saith the LORD.":** This is the core rhetorical question, a lament and an accusation. It highlights Judah's profound spiritual negligence. The question implies that they *could* receive instruction and *could* hearken, but they willfully chose not to. The final "saith the LORD" reiterates the divine origin and unchallengeable authority of the entire message, reinforcing its weight and finality.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 35:13 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words?" This question is not posed to elicit information but to make a forceful assertion and to shame the audience by highlighting their obvious and inexcusable failure. It underscores the absurdity of their disobedience when contrasted with the Rechabites' fidelity. This leads directly to **Contrast**, where the unwavering obedience of the Rechabites to a human command (implied by the broader context of [Jeremiah 35](/jeremiah/35 "Jeremiah 35 - The Rechabites' Obedience")) is set against the persistent disobedience of God's covenant people to His divine commands. This contrast serves as a powerful indictment. The verse also utilizes **Divine Oracle**, signaled by phrases like "Thus saith the LORD of hosts" and "saith the LORD," which lend immense authority and solemnity to the pronouncement, emphasizing that this is not merely Jeremiah's opinion but the direct word of God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 35:13 profoundly highlights the persistent tension between divine command and human will, a central theme throughout biblical history. God, in His sovereign authority and covenant faithfulness, continually calls His people to a life of obedience, which is framed as "receiving instruction" and "hearkening to His words." This is not an arbitrary demand but an invitation to life and flourishing within the covenant relationship. Judah's refusal to obey reveals a deeper spiritual malady: a hardened heart that prioritizes self-will and idolatry over divine wisdom. The verse underscores that true faith is demonstrated through responsive obedience, not merely ritualistic adherence or intellectual assent. It also foreshadows the need for a new covenant, where God's law is written on the heart, enabling genuine and lasting obedience.

* [Deuteronomy 30:19-20](/deuteronomy/30-19 "Deuteronomy 30:19-20 - Choose Life")
* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience Better Than Sacrifice")
* [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Knowledge")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 35:13 serves as a timeless mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to honestly assess the depth of our own obedience to God's Word. In a world saturated with competing voices and demands, are we truly "receiving instruction" from the Lord, allowing His truth to penetrate our hearts and transform our lives, or are we more readily swayed by cultural norms, personal preferences, or even human traditions? The steadfastness of the Rechabites, though imperfect, stands as a powerful reminder that consistent, intentional obedience to God's commands is both possible and profoundly honored by Him. This verse calls us to move beyond mere intellectual understanding of scripture to a place of active, responsive "hearkening," where our lives are shaped by divine wisdom. It prompts us to consider if there are areas where we are more diligent in following human expectations than divine imperatives, urging us to re-prioritize God's voice above all others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I more diligent in obeying human expectations or personal preferences than God's clear commands?**
* **What does "receiving instruction" from God truly look like in my daily life, beyond simply reading the Bible?**
* **How does my "hearkening" to God's words manifest in my actions and attitudes, rather than just my thoughts?**
* **What specific steps can I take to cultivate a heart more responsive and obedient to the Lord's voice, like the Rechabites were to their ancestor's command?**

### FAQ
**Who were the Rechabites, and why are they significant in Jeremiah 35?**

Answer: The Rechabites were a nomadic clan, descendants of Jonadab son of Rechab, who lived centuries before Jeremiah. They were known for their strict adherence to an ancestral vow that prohibited them from drinking wine, building houses, planting vineyards, or owning land, committing them to a simple, tent-dwelling existence. In [Jeremiah chapter 35](/jeremiah/35 "Jeremiah 35 - The Rechabites' Obedience"), God uses their unwavering, generational obedience to a human command as a powerful object lesson. Their fidelity stands in stark contrast to the persistent disobedience and covenant unfaithfulness of the people of Judah and Jerusalem, highlighting Judah's inexcusable failure to obey the commands of the Almighty God Himself.

**What does the title "LORD of hosts, the God of Israel" signify in this verse?**

Answer: This composite title, "LORD of hosts (YHWH Sabaoth), the God of Israel," carries profound theological weight. "LORD of hosts" emphasizes God's supreme sovereignty and power, signifying His command over all heavenly armies and creation. It underscores His absolute authority and the undeniable weight of His words. "The God of Israel" simultaneously highlights His unique covenant relationship with Israel, reminding them of His faithfulness to them and their corresponding obligation to Him. Together, these titles magnify the gravity of the divine message in [Jeremiah 35:13](/jeremiah/35-13 "Jeremiah 35:13 - God's Rebuke to Judah"), underscoring that the instruction comes from the all-powerful and covenant-keeping God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 35:13, with its lament over Israel's failure to "receive instruction to hearken to my words," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. While Old Testament Israel consistently failed to obey God's commands, Jesus perfectly embodied and fulfilled divine instruction. He is the very [Word of God made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), the embodiment of God's will and wisdom. Unlike Israel, who stubbornly refused to listen, Jesus perfectly "hearkened" to His Father, declaring, "[I always do what pleases him](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Pleases the Father")." His perfect obedience, even to the point of death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")), stands in stark contrast to humanity's rebellion. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus inaugurates the [New Covenant](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31 - The New Covenant") promised by Jeremiah, where God's law is no longer merely external commands but is written on the hearts of believers by the Holy Spirit ([Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant Written on Hearts")). Thus, what Israel could not achieve by human effort—consistent obedience—is now made possible for those who are in Christ, as they are empowered by His Spirit to truly "receive instruction" and "hearken to His words," not out of legalistic compulsion, but out of a transformed heart of love and gratitude for their Savior.

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

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.

Jeremiah 5:3

O LORD, [are] not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, [but] they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.

Jeremiah 6:8

Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited.

Jeremiah 6:10

To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear [is] uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.

Isaiah 28:9

¶ Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? [them that are] weaned from the milk, [and] drawn from the breasts.

Isaiah 28:12

To whom he said, This [is] the rest [wherewith] ye may cause the weary to rest; and this [is] the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

Hebrews 12:25

See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more [shall not] we [escape], if we turn away from him that [speaketh] from heaven: