They do not say in their hearts, ‘Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives the rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain, and keeps for us the weeks appointed for the harvest.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights how Israel's ingratitude meant they didn't even consider thanking God for the dependable rhythm of rain and harvest, a rhythm so vital it was seen as God "keeping" or guarding the appointed weeks for them. This points to a profound spiritual blindness: they were so removed from God that they couldn't connect the very life-sustaining cycles of nature to their Creator.
They do not say in their hearts, ‘Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives the rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain, and keeps for us the weeks appointed for the harvest.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah is rebuking Judah for their deep-seated rebellion, pointing out how they ignore God's obvious blessings and power. After challenging their inability to recognize His sovereignty over the stormy elements, he now highlights their ignorance of His consistent provision of rain and the resulting harvest. Despite God's faithfulness in providing seasons for sowing and reaping, the people are so unfeeling and foolish that these acts of divine goodness never prompt them to acknowledge or fear Him.
Jeremiah calls out a nation for what they don't think. What does it mean for our hearts to be silent about God, and why is that so dangerous?
Jeremiah 5:24 pinpoints a critical issue with the people of Judah: their inward silence regarding God. The phrase 'They do not say in their hearts' highlights a lack of internal reflection and acknowledgment.
A Deliberate Neglect
This isn't about forgetting God accidentally; it's a willful disregard. The original language suggests 'weighing' or 'considering' something in one's heart. Their hearts simply weren't engaged with God's reality. They weren't actively choosing to acknowledge Him or to fear Him. This inner stillness, this absence of God-thoughts, is presented as a serious spiritual problem, a form of 'stupidity' and 'madness' that leaves them unaccountable for their actions.
The Consequence of Silence
When we fail to 'say in our hearts' that God is God, we lose our sense of awe and our moral compass. This internal void allows sin to flourish because the primary check – our relationship with God – is missing. It means we aren't letting His presence shape our decisions or motivations.
The people enjoyed God's daily provision – rain, harvests – yet never connected it to Him. How does His consistent goodness expose our own ingratitude?
The prophet points to tangible, life-sustaining gifts from God as evidence of His character and His right to be feared. The verse specifically mentions the 'rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain,' and the 'appointed weeks for the harvest.'
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The Rhythms of Providence
These weren't random occurrences. The 'former rain' (autumn) prepared the ground for planting, and the 'latter rain' (spring) ensured the crops matured. This regularity demonstrated God's faithfulness and His active role in sustaining His creation. The 'appointed weeks of the harvest' point to the predictable, God-ordained seasons that allowed for gathering the fruits of their labor.
A Witness Ignored
God's consistent provision was a powerful testimony to His goodness and power, setting Him apart from lifeless idols. Yet, the people remained unresponsive. Their failure wasn't a lack of evidence; it was a refusal to interpret the evidence correctly. Their ingratitude meant they couldn't see God's hand in the natural world, missing the opportunity to 'fear the LORD our God' because of His bounty.
This verse highlights the profound spiritual blindness of Judah during Jeremiah's ministry. Despite experiencing God's consistent provision through the natural cycles of rain and harvest—signs of His covenant faithfulness—they remained callously indifferent, failing to acknowledge Him as the source of these blessings.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Fall of Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling many of its people. This event serves as a stark warning to the Southern Kingdom of Judah about the consequences of disobedience.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacks Jerusalem, exiling some of the Judean nobility, including Daniel. This marks the beginning of Judah's Babylonian captivity.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Babylon deports more Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel and King Jehoiachin, after a rebellion. Jerusalem's temple is partially plundered.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of the Temple
The Babylonians lay siege to Jerusalem and destroy the city and Solomon's Temple. The remaining population is exiled to Babylon, ending the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
c. 590 BC— this verse
Jeremiah Proclaims Judgment
Jeremiah delivers his prophecies, including the indictment in chapter 5, during the turbulent reigns of Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah. He confronts the people's spiritual apathy and calls for repentance amidst impending disaster.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian Empire, under Cyrus, overthrows the Babylonian Empire, paving the way for the return of Jewish exiles to Jerusalem.
c. 520 BC
Return from Exile and Temple Rebuilding
Exiles begin returning to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest. They face hardship and opposition but eventually rebuild the Second Temple.
This passage also speaks of God giving the early and late rains in their proper season, highlighting His provision and the blessings that follow obedience. It directly echoes Jeremiah's point about God's consistent, life-sustaining provision through natural means.
Psalm 147:8This psalm directly states that God covers the sky with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, and causes grass to grow. It reinforces the idea that the very sustenance of life, like rain and harvest, is a deliberate act of God's providence.
Acts 14:17Paul uses the life-giving rains and fruitful seasons as evidence of God's goodness and care for humanity. This shows how even in the New Testament era, the regularity of nature was understood as a sign pointing to the active, benevolent hand of God.
James 5:7This verse calls believers to be patient, like a farmer waiting for the precious crop, highlighting the importance of the early and late rains for a successful harvest. It connects the natural cycle of sowing and reaping with a spiritual call to patient perseverance.
calvinJeremiah 5:24: "Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest."
- Et non dixerunt in corde suo, Timeamus agedum Jehovam, Deum nostrum, qui dat pluviam et imbrem matutinum et serotinum (diximus de his verbis alibi) tempore suo; hebdomadas perpetuas messis (hoc est, ad messem) custodit nobis.
The Prophet in other words proves here that the Jews had been…
pulpitJeremiah 5:24: "Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest."
Verse 24. - That giveth rain, etc. The second appeal is to the regularity of the rains. Dr. Robinson remarks that there are not at the present day in Palestine "any particular periods of rain, or succession of showers, which might be regarded as distinct rainy seasons," and that...unless ther…
The verse highlights how Israel's ingratitude meant they didn't even consider thanking God for the dependable rhythm of rain and harvest, a rhythm so vital it was seen as God "keeping" or guarding the appointed weeks for them. This points to a profound spiritual blindness: they were so removed from God that they couldn't connect the very life-sustaining cycles of nature to their Creator.
Jeremiah is rebuking Judah for their deep-seated rebellion, pointing out how they ignore God's obvious blessings and power. After challenging their inability to recognize His sovereignty over the stormy elements, he now highlights their ignorance of His consistent provision of rain and the resulting harvest. Despite God's faithfulness in providing seasons for sowing and reaping, the people are so unfeeling and foolish that these acts of divine goodness never prompt them to acknowledge or fear Him.
Jeremiah is rebuking Judah for their deep-seated rebellion, pointing out how they ignore God's obvious blessings and power. After challenging their inability to recognize His sovereignty over the stormy elements, he now highlights their ignorance of His consistent provision of rain and the resulting harvest. Despite God's faithfulness in providing seasons for sowing and reaping, the people are so unfeeling and foolish that these acts of divine goodness never prompt them to acknowledge or fear Him.
"They do not say in their hearts, ‘Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives the rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain, and keeps for us the weeks appointed for the harvest.’" — The verse highlights how Israel's ingratitude meant they didn't even consider thanking God for the dependable rhythm of rain and harvest, a rhythm so vital it was seen as God "keeping" or guarding…
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Last reviewed October 2026