Jeremiah 33:23-24
The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: “Have you not observed that these people are saying, ‘The LORD has rejected the two clans that he chose’? Thus they have despised my people so that they are no longer a nation in their sight.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's easy to overlook that this standard prophetic formula isn't just a formality. The phrase "The word of the LORD came" acts as a direct divine interruption, signaling that what follows is not Jeremiah's opinion, but God’s bold rebuttal to the people's despairing cry, "He has cast them off!"
The LORD's message continues to Jeremiah amidst dire circumstances, directly addressing the people's despair and doubt. They've concluded that God has utterly cast off Israel and Judah, despising them so much that they no longer truly exist as a nation. This divine word comes as a rebuttal to their hopelessness, affirming God's enduring promises to His people.
When hope seemed lost and exile’s darkness loomed, God’s message to Jeremiah cut through the despair. How can we hear God’s voice when surrounded by doubt?
When Faith Falters, God Speaks
Jeremiah is in a challenging place. The people of Judah are facing the brutal reality of exile, and their hearts are consumed by despair. They've concluded that God has permanently abandoned them:
This isn't just a passing thought; it's a deep-seated belief born of suffering. They saw their nation divided, their temple destroyed, and their people scattered. To them, it looked like God’s promises were void and His chosen people were truly forsaken.
But in the midst of this overwhelming doubt, the text explicitly states: "The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah..." This phrase is a powerful reminder that even when people’s faith collapses, God’s prophetic word does not cease. It’s a divine intervention, a steady voice calling out over the chaos, promising continuity and faithfulness even when human eyes see only abandonment.
The people spoke of "two families" being cast off. What does this reveal about their understanding of God's covenant and His people?
A Divided People, A Unified Promise
When the people lamented, they specifically mentioned "the two families" – referring to the kingdoms of Israel (the North) and Judah (the South). Their despair wasn't just about their current suffering; it was about a perceived permanent end to God's covenant with His entire chosen lineage.
Understand the original words
na'ats · Hebrew Verb
An act of showing contempt or treating something as worthless. Biblically, it indicates a hardening of the heart against God's sovereign choices or his people.
This prophecy comes amidst the devastation of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile, a time when many believed God had completely abandoned His chosen people and His covenants were broken.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Assyrian Exile
The Northern Kingdom of Israel (ten tribes) falls to Assyria, and many are exiled. This event leads to the concept of the 'lost tribes' and deepens the division between the remaining Southern Kingdom of Judah and the north.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon deports some of Judah's elite, including the prophet Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile and the loss of Judean sovereignty.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Babylon deports King Jehoiachin and thousands more Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon. This further weakens Judah and demonstrates the growing power of Babylon.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Third Deportation
Jerusalem is destroyed by the Babylonians, and the Temple israzed. The majority of the remaining population is exiled to Babylon, leaving the land largely desolate.
This passage echoes a similar sentiment of national despair and God's reassurance of His people's future, directly addressing the 'whole house of Israel' who felt abandoned and cut off.
Romans 11:1Paul directly addresses the question of whether God has cast away His people, affirming that God has not rejected Israel. This resonates with Jeremiah's message of God's unwavering commitment despite their current state.
Psalm 77:7-10The Psalmist wrestles with doubt and despair, questioning if God has forgotten His promises and if His steadfast love has ended. This mirrors the despair of the Israelites mentioned in Jeremiah 33:24.
Isaiah 49:14-16This passage vividly illustrates the people's feeling of abandonment with the metaphor of Zion feeling forgotten. God's response emphasizes His indelible promise and engraved remembrance of them, similar to the assurance in Jeremiah 33.
calvinJeremiah 33:23-24: "Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying,"
Considerest thou not what this people have spoken, saying, The two families which the LORD hath chosen, he hath even cast them off? thus they have despised my people, that they should be no more a nation before them.
An non vidisti quomodo populus hic loquantur? Duas familias quas elegit Jehova in ipsis, reprobavit eas (sed abundat particula vhm deinde copula etiam supervacua est, nisi vertatur in adverbium te…
pooleJeremiah 33:23: "Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying,"
No text from Poole on this verse.
It's easy to overlook that this standard prophetic formula isn't just a formality. The phrase "The word of the LORD came" acts as a direct divine interruption, signaling that what follows is not Jeremiah's opinion, but God’s bold rebuttal to the people's despairing cry, "He has cast them off!"
The LORD's message continues to Jeremiah amidst dire circumstances, directly addressing the people's despair and doubt. They've concluded that God has utterly cast off Israel and Judah, despising them so much that they no longer truly exist as a nation. This divine word comes as a rebuttal to their hopelessness, affirming God's enduring promises to His people.
The LORD's message continues to Jeremiah amidst dire circumstances, directly addressing the people's despair and doubt. They've concluded that God has utterly cast off Israel and Judah, despising them so much that they no longer truly exist as a nation. This divine word comes as a rebuttal to their hopelessness, affirming God's enduring promises to His people.
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This teaches us that God’s perspective on His people and His promises is far more enduring than our immediate circumstances might suggest. He sees the whole picture, even when we only see the fractured pieces.
c. 540 BC
Prophecies of Restoration Issued
During the Babylonian exile, Jeremiah delivers prophecies of hope and future restoration to the exiles, emphasizing God's enduring covenant and plans for His people.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian king Cyrus the Great overthrows the Babylonian Empire, paving the way for the return of exiled peoples, including the Jews, to their homelands.
"The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: “Have you not observed that these people are saying, ‘The LORD has rejected the two clans that he chose’? Thus they have despised my people so that they are no longer a nation in their sight." — It's easy to overlook that this standard prophetic formula isn't just a formality. The phrase "The word of the LORD came" acts as a direct divine interruption, signaling that what follows is not Jere…
