Jeremiah 7:13

And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not;

And now, because ye have done {H6213} all these works {H4639}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, and I spake {H1696} unto you, rising up early {H7925} and speaking {H1696}, but ye heard {H8085} not; and I called {H7121} you, but ye answered {H6030} not;

I spoke to you again and again, but you wouldn't listen. I called you, but you wouldn't answer. Now," says ADONAI, "because you have done all these things,

And now, because you have done all these things, declares the LORD, and because I have spoken to you again and again but you would not listen, and I have called to you but you would not answer,

And now, because ye have done all these works, saith Jehovah, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not:

Commentary

Jeremiah 7:13 (KJV) delivers a powerful indictment from the LORD against the people of Judah, highlighting their persistent disobedience despite His diligent and repeated attempts to call them to repentance. This verse is part of Jeremiah's famous "Temple Sermon," where he confronts the nation's false security in religious rituals while their lives were filled with sin.

Context of Jeremiah 7:13

This verse is a direct continuation of God's accusations against Judah, found in the earlier parts of Jeremiah chapter 7. The people were engaged in idolatry, theft, murder, adultery, and perjury (Jeremiah 7:9), yet they believed their presence in the Jerusalem Temple offered them immunity from divine judgment. God declares that because they "have done all these works" (their sinful practices), His judgment is imminent. The prophet Jeremiah's role was to call them back to covenant faithfulness, but his warnings were largely ignored, leading to the consequences detailed later in the book of Jeremiah.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Persistent Communication: The phrase "I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking" emphasizes God's tireless and earnest efforts to reach His people. It paints a picture of God's patience and diligence, much like a parent who wakes early to instruct or warn a child about an urgent matter. This illustrates His profound desire for His people to turn from their destructive ways.
  • Human Stubbornness and Unresponsiveness: Despite God's clear and repeated communication, the people "heard not" and "answered not." This highlights their spiritual deafness and hardened hearts, unwilling to heed divine counsel or respond to His gracious invitations to repentance. This resistance ultimately sealed their fate, demonstrating the tragic outcome of ignoring God's voice.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The verse implicitly points to the severe consequences that follow persistent disobedience. God's patience, though vast, is not infinite. Ignoring His warnings leads to judgment, a theme echoed throughout prophetic literature, as seen in Proverbs 1:24-33, where wisdom's call is rejected.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "rising up early and speaking" (ื”ึทืฉืึฐื›ึผึตื ื•ึฐื“ึทื‘ึผึตืจ, hashkem vedabber) vividly conveys the idea of diligence, earnestness, and persistence. It's an anthropomorphism that portrays God as being exceptionally proactive and dedicated in His attempts to communicate with His people, akin to someone making a special effort by starting early in the day. It underscores the intensity of God's desire for their repentance, indicating that His warnings were not casual but urgent and repeated.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 7:13 serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of listening and responding to God's voice. For believers today, it challenges us to examine our own spiritual responsiveness. Are we quick to hear and obey, or do we, like ancient Judah, allow spiritual deafness to creep in? God continues to speak through His Word (2 Timothy 3:16), through the Holy Spirit, and through circumstances. This verse urges us to cultivate a heart that is eager to hear and quick to respond to God's calls, avoiding the spiritual apathy that leads to painful consequences. It emphasizes that genuine faith is demonstrated not just by religious observance, but by a life of obedience and genuine repentance, actively engaging with God's persistent communication.

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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 65:12 (6 votes)

    Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose [that] wherein I delighted not.

  • Jeremiah 7:25 (4 votes)

    Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending [them]:

  • 2 Chronicles 36:15 (4 votes)

    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:

  • 2 Chronicles 36:16 (4 votes)

    But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till [there was] no remedy.

  • Proverbs 1:24 (4 votes)

    Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

  • Isaiah 50:2 (3 votes)

    Wherefore, when I came, [was there] no man? when I called, [was there] none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because [there is] no water, and dieth for thirst.

  • Zechariah 7:13 (3 votes)

    Therefore it is come to pass, [that] as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts: