What is the meaning of Jeremiah 13:8? Then • The small word “then” places this message in a real moment of history, immediately following Jeremiah’s act of burying the ruined linen belt (Jeremiah 13:7). • God often speaks after obedience has been demonstrated, underscoring cause and effect—see Genesis 22:15-18 after Abraham’s obedience and John 2:7-10 after the servants filled the jars. • “Then” also reminds us that divine revelation is progressive: truth unfolds step by step (Proverbs 4:18; John 16:12-13). the word • What arrives is not a feeling or impression but “the word”—clear, verbal revelation. • Scripture repeatedly equates God’s word with power and certainty (Isaiah 55:11; Hebrews 4:12). • The same creative word that spoke the universe into being (Genesis 1:3) now addresses a single man, proving its enduring relevance. of the LORD • The source is “the LORD,” Israel’s covenant God whose name (YHWH) anchors faithfulness and self-existence (Exodus 3:14; Malachi 3:6). • Because this word originates with the LORD, it carries absolute authority—note how prophets preface messages the same way in 1 Kings 17:14 and Jonah 3:1-2. • The phrase reassures readers that judgment or comfort alike come from a righteous, personal God, not an impersonal force. came • The action verb highlights divine initiative; Jeremiah did not conjure a message—God sent it. • This mirrors Genesis 15:1 (“the word of the LORD came to Abram”) and Psalm 107:20 (“He sent out His word and healed them”), revealing a God who pursues rather than waits. • God’s word “coming” also suggests movement toward fulfillment; once spoken, events begin aligning with what was said (Jeremiah 1:12). to me • The message lands on Jeremiah, underscoring personal responsibility; revelation demands a human vessel (Jeremiah 1:4-10). • God addresses individuals before nations—compare Moses in Exodus 3:4 and Paul in Acts 9:4-6. • “To me” reminds every believer that God still speaks personally through Scripture and the Holy Spirit (John 14:26), inviting faithful response. summary Jeremiah 13:8 opens with five simple words—“Then the word of the LORD came to me”—yet each term brims with meaning. Together they reveal a specific moment in God’s unfolding plan, the authoritative and creative nature of His spoken revelation, His covenant faithfulness, His initiative in reaching humanity, and His personal call upon individual servants. Recognizing these layers prepares us to receive the rest of the chapter’s warning and hope with humble, obedient hearts. |
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