What responsibilities do leaders have according to Jeremiah 22:2's call to "hear"?

Verse Snapshot

“‘Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, you who sit on the throne of David—you, your officials, and your people who come through these gates.’” (Jeremiah 22:2)

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An Urgent Call, Not a Casual Suggestion

- “Hear” (Hebrew שָׁמַע, shamaʿ) carries the sense of attentive listening that leads to obedience (cf. Deuteronomy 6:4).

- Spoken to the king, officials, and people, it places leaders first in line for accountability.

- By addressing “these gates,” the verse highlights the public sphere where justice is administered (cf. Amos 5:15).

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Responsibilities Embedded in the Command to Hear

• Receive God’s Word Personally

– Leaders must tune their own ears before expecting others to listen (2 Chronicles 34:19-21).

• Obey What Is Heard

– “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22)

• Administer Justice Publicly

– The immediate context (Jeremiah 22:3-4) calls for rescuing the oppressed and rejecting violence, a charge rooted in hearing God’s standard.

• Model Covenant Faithfulness

– Sitting “on the throne of David” ties leadership to the covenant expectation of righteousness (2 Samuel 7:12-16).

• Teach and Enforce God’s Word Among the People

– Leaders function as stewards of divine revelation (Nehemiah 8:2-3; 1 Timothy 4:13).

• Guard the Gates

– City gates were where legal cases, commerce, and policy converged; leaders “hear” so they can regulate those spaces with integrity (Proverbs 31:23).

• Accept Accountability

– Failure to hear brings judgment (Jeremiah 22:5; Romans 13:4).

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Living It Out Today

- Church elders, civic officials, employers, teachers, parents—anyone with influence—must prioritize regular, accurate intake of Scripture.

- Decisions, policies, and counsel should reflect what has been heard from God’s Word rather than cultural pressure.

- Public platforms (“gates”) are to be leveraged to uphold justice, defend the vulnerable, and encourage obedience among those we lead.

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Summary

Hearing in Jeremiah 22:2 is an action word for leaders: listen, obey, model, teach, and administer God’s revealed standards, knowing that leadership is stewardship under the gaze of the Lord.