Jeremiah 7:23

But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

But this thing {H1697} commanded {H6680} I them, saying {H559}, Obey {H8085} my voice {H6963}, and I will be your God {H430}, and ye shall be my people {H5971}: and walk {H1980} ye in all the ways {H1870} that I have commanded {H6680} you, that it may be well {H3190} unto you.

Rather, what I did order them was this: 'Pay attention to what I say. Then I will be your God, and you will be my people. In everything, live according to the way that I order you, so that things will go well for you.'

but this is what I commanded them: Obey Me, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. You must walk in all the ways I have commanded you, so that it may go well with you.

but this thing I commanded them, saying, Hearken unto my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people; and walk ye in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.

Jeremiah 7:23 encapsulates the very heart of God's desire for His people: a deep, intimate relationship built on obedient trust. This verse stands as a foundational statement of the covenant, emphasizing that divine blessings flow from a life lived in harmony with God's commands, not mere ritualistic observance.

Context

This verse is part of Jeremiah's famous "Temple Sermon" (Jeremiah 7:1-15), delivered at the gate of the Lord's house. The people of Judah had grown complacent, believing that their presence in the Temple guaranteed God's protection, regardless of their widespread idolatry, injustice, and disobedience. Jeremiah, speaking for God, confronts this false security, asserting that God never primarily commanded sacrifices and burnt offerings in the wilderness, but rather a direct relationship characterized by obedience. The nation had strayed far from the original intent of the covenant, substituting outward religious acts for genuine submission to God's will.

Key Themes

  • The Covenant Foundation: The core promise, "I will be your God, and ye shall be my people," echoes the language of the Mosaic Covenant, first established at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:5). It signifies a reciprocal relationship: God commits to His people, and they, in turn, are called to live as His chosen, set apart. This is not merely a legal agreement but a personal, binding commitment of love and loyalty.
  • The Call to Obedience: The repeated phrase "Obey my voice, and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you" underscores God's consistent demand for active submission. It implies listening attentively to God's instruction (often through His prophets and the Law) and then living according to those principles. This obedience is presented as the pathway to maintaining the covenant relationship and experiencing its benefits.
  • The Promise of Well-being: The concluding phrase, "that it may be well unto you," highlights the positive outcome of obedience. This "well-being" (Hebrew: yitav lakem) encompasses not just material prosperity but holistic flourishing, peace, security, and true blessing in all aspects of life, as promised throughout the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 28:1-14). It reflects God's benevolent desire for His people's good.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "obey" here is shama, which means more than just to hear; it implies listening with understanding and then acting upon what is heard. It denotes an attentive and responsive hearing. The phrase "that it may be well unto you" comes from the Hebrew v'yitav lakem, which conveys the idea of things going well for you, experiencing good, prosperity, and a favorable outcome. It emphasizes God's desire for His people's flourishing when they align with His will.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 7:23 remains profoundly relevant for believers today. It reminds us that our relationship with God is not based on outward religious performance or affiliation with a particular church, but on genuine, heartfelt obedience to His Word. God still desires to be "our God" and for us to be "His people," a covenant relationship now made possible through faith in Jesus Christ. True well-being, spiritual and often temporal, comes from listening to His voice, found in Scripture and through the Holy Spirit, and walking in the ways He has commanded. This verse calls us to examine whether our lives truly reflect a responsive heart to God's commands, or if we, like ancient Israel, are relying on superficial religiosity.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

  • Deuteronomy 5:33

    Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and [that it may be] well with you, and [that] ye may prolong [your] days in the land which ye shall possess.

  • Exodus 19:5

    Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine:

  • Exodus 19:6

    And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These [are] the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

  • Jeremiah 42:6

    Whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.

  • Hebrews 5:9

    And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

  • Deuteronomy 6:3

    Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do [it]; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.

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