What is the meaning of Jeremiah 27:4? Give them a message “Give them a message…” (Jeremiah 27:4a) • The “them” are the envoys from Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Sidon who have come to Jerusalem (Jeremiah 27:3); God directs Jeremiah to hand them a specific word. • This shows that the prophet is not free to edit, soften, or ignore any part of God’s revelation—he must pass it on exactly as received (Jeremiah 1:7; Amos 3:7; 2 Peter 1:21). • It highlights the gracious fact that before God judges, He speaks, warning even pagan nations so they can respond (Jonah 3:4-10; 2 Peter 3:9). from the LORD of Hosts “…from the LORD of Hosts…” (Jeremiah 27:4b) • “LORD of Hosts” (YHWH Ṣebaoth) presents God as Commander of all angelic and earthly armies, underscoring His unmatched authority (Isaiah 6:3; 1 Samuel 17:45; Psalm 24:10). • Because He commands every host, He can give or withdraw power from any ruler on earth (Daniel 4:35; Isaiah 14:26-27). • The title assures that what follows is not political opinion but the marching orders of the sovereign King of the universe. the God of Israel “…the God of Israel…” (Jeremiah 27:4c) • By naming Himself this way, God reminds listeners of His covenant faithfulness to Abraham’s line (Exodus 3:15; Deuteronomy 7:9; Jeremiah 31:1), even while announcing discipline on His own people (Jeremiah 25:8-11). • The phrase signals that Israel’s national fortunes are inseparably tied to their relationship with the LORD (Leviticus 26:44-45; Romans 11:1-2). • For the Gentile kings hearing the message, it stresses that the God who speaks is not a tribal deity but the One whose dealings with Israel display His redemptive plan for all nations (Genesis 12:3; Romans 15:8-12). to relay to their masters “…to relay to their masters.” (Jeremiah 27:4d) • The envoys are couriers; the real audience is the kings plotting rebellion against Babylon (Jeremiah 27:3, 9-11). • God’s word travels, crossing borders and thrones (Psalm 2:10-12; Proverbs 21:1); no ruler is beyond His jurisdiction (Daniel 4:17). • The instruction reminds believers today that Scripture is meant to be faithfully relayed, not hoarded (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:2). summary Jeremiah 27:4 captures God’s chain of communication: the prophet must hand a precise message from the all-powerful “LORD of Hosts,” who remains the faithful “God of Israel,” to foreign envoys who will deliver it straight to their kings. The verse underscores God’s supreme authority over nations, His covenant loyalty to Israel, and His expectation that His revealed word be transmitted without alteration to every level of human leadership. |
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