Jeremiah 35:15

Jeremiah 35:15 is a powerful lament from God, delivered through the prophet Jeremiah, highlighting His persistent efforts to call His people, Judah, back to Himself, and their consistent failure to respond. This verse encapsulates the divine patience and human stubbornness that characterized much of Israel's history leading up to the Babylonian exile.

Context

This verse comes directly after the striking account of the Rechabites in Jeremiah chapter 35. The Rechabites, a nomadic clan, faithfully adhered to their ancestor Jonadab's command to abstain from wine, building houses, sowing seed, or planting vineyards, and to live in tents. God uses their unwavering obedience to a human command as a sharp contrast to the people of Judah's blatant disobedience to His divine commands. Despite God's repeated warnings and gracious offers of restoration, Judah continued in their idolatry and wicked ways, leading to the imminent judgment of the Babylonian captivity. Jeremiah 35:15 serves as God's direct accusation, emphasizing His faithfulness in sending messengers and their utter failure to heed the call.

Key Themes

• God's Persistent Love and Patience: The phrase "rising up early and sending [them]" vividly portrays God's earnestness and diligence in communicating His will to His people. It speaks to His unwavering desire for their repentance and well-being, even when faced with their rebellion.
• The Call to Repentance: At its core, the verse is a passionate plea for Judah to "Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings." This timeless call to turn from sin and to align one's life with God's commands is central to the prophetic message.
• Warning Against Idolatry: God explicitly warns against going "after other gods to serve them." This highlights the first and greatest commandment, emphasizing that devotion to God alone is foundational for a right relationship with Him and for enjoying His blessings.
• Conditional Covenant and Consequences: The promise "and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers" underscores the conditional nature of the Mosaic Covenant. Obedience led to blessings and security in the promised land, while disobedience, as shown by Judah's actions, inevitably led to expulsion and judgment.
• Human Stubbornness: The lament "but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me" captures the tragic reality of Judah's persistent spiritual deafness and unwillingness to obey God's voice, despite His clear and repeated instructions.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "rising up early and sending [them]" (שָׁכַם וְשָׁלַח, shakam v'shalach) is an idiom that conveys intense diligence, eagerness, and continuous effort. It's not merely about the time of day, but about God's proactive and earnest commitment to sending His messengers, the prophets, again and again. This expression emphasizes God's tireless pursuit of His people, wanting them to turn from their destructive path. The phrase "inclined your ear" (הִטּוּ אָזְנָם, hittu oznām) signifies an active turning of one's attention, a willingness to listen and consider, which Judah conspicuously lacked.

Reflection and Application

Jeremiah 35:15 serves as a profound reminder of God's enduring patience and relentless pursuit of humanity. Even today, God continues to call people to repentance and obedience through His Word and His Spirit. We are challenged to consider:

• Are we truly inclining our ear and hearkening to God's voice, or are we, like ancient Judah, stubborn and unresponsive?
• What "other gods" (materialism, self-reliance, worldly pursuits) might we be serving that distract us from full devotion to the one true God?
• God's desire for us is always for our good, for us to "dwell in the land" of His blessings and peace. Our disobedience, however, often leads us away from His intended path and into consequences.

This verse encourages us to respond to God's persistent call with humility and genuine repentance, recognizing His boundless love and patience for His children. For more on God's call to repentance, see Acts 17:30.