Jeremiah 35:15
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God’s messengers didn’t just speak once; the phrase "rising up early and sending them" highlights God’s persistent, diligent effort to reach them. This wasn't a casual suggestion, but a continuous, early morning call to turn from destruction before it was too late.
I have sent to you all my servants the prophets, sending them persistently, saying, ‘Turn now every one of you from his evil way, and amend your deeds, and do not go after other gods to serve them, and then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to you and your fathers.’ But you did not incline your ear or listen to me.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God, speaking through Jeremiah, uses the Rechabites' steadfast obedience to their father's commands as a stark contrast to Judah's persistent disobedience to God. This verse is God's direct indictment, pointing out that He has repeatedly sent prophets, like Jeremiah himself, with clear messages of repentance and faithfulness to Him, yet the people have consistently ignored these divine warnings and entreaties. The context highlights the profound failure of God's people to honor Him, even when compared to the obedience shown to a mere human ancestor.
God's love isn't a one-time offer. He calls us, again and again, through countless channels. But what happens when we consistently tune Him out?
Jeremiah 35:15 highlights God's incredible persistence in reaching out to His people. He didn't just send one prophet or one message; He sent 'all my servants the prophets, sending them persistently.'
A Symphony of Warnings
The Rechabites obeyed their earthly father's strict commands, even when inconvenient. Why then did God's people disregard His far greater call?
This verse sets up a stark contrast between the obedience of the Rechabites to their human father, Jonadab, and the disobedience of Judah to their divine Father, God.
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A Tale of Two Fathers
God's persistent calls were met with a deliberate refusal to listen. What does it mean when our hearts are closed to God's voice?
The end of Jeremiah 35:15 delivers a devastating verdict on Judah's spiritual state: 'But you did not incline your ear or listen to me.' This wasn't accidental; it was a willful rejection.
The Sin of Unwillingness
Understand the original words
ra'ah · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
In a moral and theological sense, this refers to behavior, thoughts, or attitudes that deviate from God’s character and commandments. It represents rebellion against God’s moral order.
elohim acherim · Hebrew Noun Phrase
Deities, idols, or spiritual entities that are not the true God. Worshiping them is the ultimate act of spiritual adultery and rejection of the covenant relationship with the LORD.
shuv · Hebrew Verb
The act of repenting; literally, a turning around or changing of direction. It implies a total transformation of heart and lifestyle from a path of sin back to faithfulness to God.
This passage highlights the stark contrast between the unwavering obedience of the Rechabites to their father's command and the persistent disobedience of Judah to God's direct commands, even after numerous prophets and warnings throughout generations leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem.
c. 7th century BC
Reign of King Josiah
Josiah leads a religious reformation in Judah, attempting to centralize worship and eliminate idolatry. This period saw a renewed emphasis on the Law.
c. 627-605 BC
Prophetic Ministry of Jeremiah
Jeremiah begins his ministry during the late monarchy of Judah, delivering God's warnings and calls to repentance amidst growing political instability and spiritual decay.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon deports a significant portion of the Judean elite, including young Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Another wave of exiles, including the prophet Ezekiel and King Jehoiachin, are taken to Babylon following further conflict with the Babylonian empire.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of the Temple
Babylonian forces conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and exile the remaining population. This is the catastrophic culmination of Judah's persistent disobedience.
c. 586 BC - after return from exile— this verse
God's Persistent Warnings Through Prophets
Throughout Judah's decline and into the exile, God continuously sends prophets like Jeremiah to call His people back to obedience, offering the promise of dwelling in the land if they would repent.
This passage echoes Jeremiah 35:15 by highlighting God's persistent calls for obedience through His prophets, emphasizing the Jews' consistent failure to listen, which led to judgment.
Ezekiel 18:21-24This passage powerfully illustrates the principle of individual accountability and God's willingness to forgive and restore if a person turns from their evil ways, mirroring the 'turn and live' message in Jeremiah 35:15.
Jeremiah 25:5-6This verse is directly alluded to in Jeremiah 35:15, as it contains the same core message from God's prophets: 'Turn now everyone from his evil way... and do not go after other gods to serve them.' This shows the long-standing nature of God's plea and Israel's rejection.
Deuteronomy 28:1-14This passage lays out the blessings for obedience and the consequences for disobedience, providing the context for the promise of 'dwelling in the land' that God offered in Jeremiah 35:15, which the Jews forfeited through their rebellion.
Hosea 11:7This verse speaks to God's people being 'bent to backsliding,' a sentiment deeply reflected in Jeremiah 35:15 where God laments their persistent refusal to 'incline their ear' and turn from their ways, despite His constant efforts.
pooleJeremiah 35:15: "I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me."
God, in this revelation of his mind to the prophet, expoundeth to him why he had set him to bring the Rechabites into the temple, and comm…
calvinJeremiah 35:12-15: "Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,"
- The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father's commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto me.
14, Stabiliti sunt sermones Jonadab filii Rechab, quos mandavit filiis suis, ne biberent vinum, et non biberunt usque ad hunc diem; quia obedierunt m…
God’s messengers didn’t just speak once; the phrase "rising up early and sending them" highlights God’s persistent, diligent effort to reach them. This wasn't a casual suggestion, but a continuous, early morning call to turn from destruction before it was too late.
God, speaking through Jeremiah, uses the Rechabites' steadfast obedience to their father's commands as a stark contrast to Judah's persistent disobedience to God. This verse is God's direct indictment, pointing out that He has repeatedly sent prophets, like Jeremiah himself, with clear messages of repentance and faithfulness to Him, yet the people have consistently ignored these divine warnings and entreaties. The context highlights the profound failure of God's people to honor Him, even when compared to the obedience shown to a mere human ancestor.
God, speaking through Jeremiah, uses the Rechabites' steadfast obedience to their father's commands as a stark contrast to Judah's persistent disobedience to God. This verse is God's direct indictment, pointing out that He has repeatedly sent prophets, like Jeremiah himself, with clear messages of repentance and faithfulness to Him, yet the people have consistently ignored these divine warnings and entreaties. The context highlights the profound failure of God's people to honor Him, even when compared to the obedience shown to a mere human ancestor.
"I have sent to you all my servants the prophets, sending them persistently, saying, ‘Turn now every one of you from his evil way, and amend your deeds, and do not go after other gods to serve them, and then you shall dwell in the land that…" — God’s messengers didn’t just speak once; the phrase "rising up early and sending them" highlights God’s persistent, diligent effort to reach them. This wasn't a casual suggestion, but a continuous, e…
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Last reviewed October 2026
