Say to them, 'Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, all people of Judah and Jerusalem who enter through these gates. Say to them,This phrase indicates a direct command from God to the prophet Jeremiah. It emphasizes the role of the prophet as a messenger who conveys God's words to the people. Prophets in the Old Testament were often tasked with delivering messages of warning, instruction, or encouragement, and their authority came directly from God. Jer 35:13 This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says:… ‘Hear the word of the LORD, The call to "hear" underscores the importance of listening and obeying God's message. In Hebrew culture, hearing was closely linked to obedience. The phrase "word of the LORD" signifies divine revelation, which carries ultimate authority and truth. This is a common prophetic formula used to assert that the message is not of human origin but from God Himself. Jer 42:15 then hear the word of the LORD, O remnant of Judah!… O kings of Judah, The address to the "kings of Judah" highlights the responsibility of the leaders to heed God's word. The kings were expected to lead the nation in covenant faithfulness. Historically, the kings of Judah were often judged by their adherence to God's laws, and their leadership had significant spiritual and political implications for the nation. Jer 19:3 Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah… all people of Judah and Jerusalem This phrase expands the audience to include not just the leaders but all inhabitants of the region. It reflects the communal nature of the covenant relationship with God, where both leaders and people are accountable. Jerusalem, as the capital city and spiritual center, held particular significance in the religious life of the nation. 2Ch 34:30 And he went up to the house of the LORD with all the people… who enter through these gates. The reference to "these gates" likely points to the gates of Jerusalem, which were central to the city's life. Gates were places of commerce, legal transactions, and public discourse. They symbolize the entry point to the city and, metaphorically, to the presence of God in the temple. This phrase underscores the accessibility of God's message to all who come into the city, emphasizing the universal call to repentance and obedience. Jer 7:2 “Stand in the gate of the house of the LORD and proclaim… Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. Known for his perseverance in the face of opposition. 2. Kings of Judah The ruling monarchs of the southern kingdom of Judah, responsible for leading the people in accordance with God's laws. 3. People of Judah The inhabitants of the southern kingdom, often called to repentance by the prophets due to their disobedience. 4. Jerusalem The capital city of Judah, a central place of worship and political power, often symbolic of the spiritual state of the nation. 5. Gates of Jerusalem The entry points to the city, symbolizing the threshold between the secular and the sacred, and a place of judgment and decision-making. Teaching Points The Importance of Listening to GodThe call to "hear the word of the LORD" is a reminder that God speaks to His people and expects them to listen attentively. In our daily lives, we must prioritize time to read and meditate on Scripture, seeking to understand God's will. Leadership Accountability The mention of the "kings of Judah" highlights the responsibility of leaders to guide their people according to God's commands. Whether in church, family, or community, leaders are accountable to God for their influence and decisions. The Role of the Community The address to "all people of Judah and Jerusalem" underscores the collective responsibility of the community to uphold God's standards. As believers, we are called to support one another in faith and obedience. The Significance of the Gates The "gates" symbolize decision points in our lives where we choose to follow God's path or our own. We must be vigilant at these crossroads, ensuring our choices align with God's word. Repentance and Obedience The broader context of Jeremiah's message is a call to repentance and obedience. True repentance involves a change of heart and actions, aligning our lives with God's commands. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the call to "hear the word of the LORD" in Jeremiah 17:20 challenge your current approach to reading and applying Scripture in your life?2. In what ways can leaders today, whether in the church or other areas, learn from the accountability expected of the "kings of Judah"? 3. How can you contribute to fostering a community that collectively seeks to obey God's word, as seen in the call to "all people of Judah and Jerusalem"? 4. Reflect on a recent decision point in your life. How did you ensure that your choice was in line with God's word, similar to the significance of the "gates"? 5. Considering the theme of repentance in Jeremiah, what steps can you take to ensure that your repentance leads to genuine obedience and transformation? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 6:4-9Emphasizes the importance of hearing and obeying God's word, similar to the call in Jeremiah 17:20 for the people to "hear the word of the LORD." Isaiah 1:10-20 Calls the leaders and people to listen to God's word and repent, paralleling Jeremiah's message to the kings and people of Judah. Ezekiel 33:30-33 Describes the people's tendency to hear God's words but not act on them, a recurring issue addressed by Jeremiah. Matthew 7:24-27 Jesus' teaching on the wise and foolish builders, highlighting the importance of not just hearing but also doing God's word. James 1:22-25 Encourages believers to be doers of the word, not just hearers, reinforcing the message of obedience found in Jeremiah.
People Benjamin, David, JeremiahPlaces Jerusalem, Negeb, People's Gate, ShephelahTopics Doors, Ear, Enter, Gates, Hast, Inhabitants, Jerusalem, Judah, Kings, ListenDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 17:18Library Sin's Writing and Its Erasure'The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars.'--JER. xvii. 1. 'Ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.'-2 COR. iii. 3. 'Blotting out the handwriting that was against us.'---COL .ii. 14. I have put these verses together because they … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture A Soul Gazing on God Two Lists of Names The Heath in the Desert and the Tree by the River A Nation's Duty in a War for Freedom. "The Carnal Mind is Enmity against God for it is not Subject to the Law of God, Neither Indeed Can Be. So Then they that Are Severinus in Germany. Trust of the Wicked, and the Righteous Compared. Jer 17:5-8 But in Order that we Fall not Away from Continence... Epistle i. To the Roman Citizens. "And if any Man Sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,", "For what the Law could not Do, in that it was Weak through the Flesh, God Sending his Own Son in the Likeness of Sinful Flesh, Appendix xvii. The Ordinances and Law of the Sabbath as Laid Down in the Mishnah and the Jerusalem Talmud. The Fourth Commandment The First Part Moral Depravity. Inward Witness to the Truth of the Gospel. The True Manner of Keeping Holy the Lord's Day. But Concerning True Patience, Worthy of the Name of this virtue... What the Scriptures Principally Teach: the Ruin and Recovery of Man. Faith and Love Towards Christ. Jewish views on Trade, Tradesmen, and Trades' Guilds The Secret of Its Greatness Division of Actual Grace Links Jeremiah 17:20 NIVJeremiah 17:20 NLT Jeremiah 17:20 ESV Jeremiah 17:20 NASB Jeremiah 17:20 KJV Jeremiah 17:20 Commentaries Bible Hub |
    |