Jeremiah 7:13-15
And now, because you have done all these things, declares the LORD, and when I spoke to you persistently you did not listen, and when I called you, you did not answer, therefore I will do to the house that is called by my name, and in which you trust, and to the place that I gave to you and to your fathers, as I did to Shiloh. And I will cast you out of my sight, as I cast out all your kinsmen, all the offspring of Ephraim.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "rising up early and speaking" isn't just about the time of day; it's a vivid picture of God's persistent, zealous effort to reach His people, like someone waking before dawn to urgently warn a loved one. It highlights not just His desire for them to listen, but the sheer diligence and care He invested in calling them back before it was too late.
Jeremiah is addressing the people who are trusting in the Temple itself for protection, even as they continue their wicked practices. He reminds them of what happened to Shiloh, a former place of worship, because of the people's sin, and warns that the same fate awaits their Temple if they don't repent. This verse specifically highlights God's persistent efforts to reach them through his prophets, who spoke and called out to them zealously and continuously, but were met with deaf ears and unresponsive hearts.
Why does the Bible say God 'rose up early' to speak? What does this image reveal about His heart towards us?
Jeremiah uses a powerful metaphor here: 'rising up early and speaking.' This isn't just about waking up; it's a picture of God's relentless and zealous pursuit of His people.
Diligent and Persistent Love
Imagine someone waking before dawn, eager to share something vital. That's God! He wasn't casually mentioning things; He was intensely focused on getting their attention. This expression, unique to Jeremiah, shows God acting with extreme diligence and earnestness. He 'spoke' and 'called,' using every available means, through His prophets, to warn and guide them.
A Plea, Not a Demand
This 'rising early' highlights the passionate nature of God's communication. It wasn't a distant command but a personal, persistent plea. He deeply desired their well-being and was willing to expend immense effort to see them turn from destruction.
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We often think of 'answering' God as prayer. But what else does it mean to 'answer' when God calls?
The verse contrasts God's persistent calling with the people's stubborn silence: 'you did not listen, and when I called you, you did not answer.' This 'answering' is crucial.
More Than Just Hearing
'Listening' and 'answering' are distinct. Listening is passive reception; answering is active response. God wasn't just speaking at them; He was calling them to something – obedience, repentance, a different path. Their failure to 'answer' meant they weren't just ignoring His words; they were refusing His offered relationship and direction.
Consequences of Silence
This refusal had devastating consequences. By not answering God's call to turn back, they were essentially choosing destruction. Their silence wasn't neutral; it was a decisive rejection of God's grace and a path towards the judgment they ultimately faced.
Understand the original words
shama' · Hebrew Verb
The act of giving heed, paying attention, or obeying; it implies a responsive heart that aligns its behavior with the spoken word of God.
batach · Hebrew Verb
The act of relying on something or someone for security, safety, or hope; in a biblical context, it is often warned against when placed in anything other than God Himself (e.g., temples, wealth, or national status).
shalak · Hebrew Verb
The removal or exclusion of someone from the presence, favor, or protective care of God; it signifies the consequences of covenant disobedience.
zera' · Hebrew Noun
Descendants or progeny; the physical or spiritual line that follows a person or group, often carrying the legacy or consequences of their ancestors' actions.
Jeremiah's message comes after Judah has witnessed the destruction of Shiloh and the exile of the northern kingdom. The persistent, earnest calls from God, echoing the "rising early" motif, are met with deaf ears, leading to the ultimate devastation of Jerusalem and the Temple.
c. 1050 BC
Ark of the Covenant at Shiloh
The Ark of the Covenant, representing God's presence, was housed in Shiloh, a significant religious center for the united Israelite tribes.
c. 1050 BC - 400 BC
Philistine Wars and Shiloh's Destruction
Following the Ark's capture by the Philistines, Shiloh was destroyed, marking a major loss of a central sanctuary and God's presence for Israel.
Late 8th century BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling its people and scattering them. This event served as a dire warning for Judah.
626 BC
Jeremiah Begins Prophesying
Jeremiah is called by God to prophesy to Judah, warning them of impending judgment due to their persistent sin and idolatry.
c. 609 BC
Josiah's Reforms and Death
King Josiah institutes religious reforms and discovers the Book of the Law, leading to a period of repentance. However, his death in battle marks a turning point back towards deeper corruption.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Under King Jehoiakim, Babylon's forces invade Judah, and some of the nobility, including Daniel, are taken captive to Babylon.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Babylonian forces, led by Nebuchadnezzar, conquer Jerusalem, destroy Solomon's Temple, and exile the majority of the remaining population. This fulfills Jeremiah's warnings.
This proverb echoes Jeremiah's complaint, showing that God has consistently extended His call and warnings throughout history, only to be met with rejection by a stubborn people.
Isaiah 65:12Similar to Jeremiah's message, this passage from Isaiah describes God's persistent efforts to reach His people, who instead chose to ignore His voice and pursue their own sinful paths.
Matthew 23:37Jesus Himself uses language very similar to Jeremiah's here, lamenting Jerusalem's refusal to heed His calls, just as their ancestors ignored the prophets.
Jeremiah 25:4This verse further emphasizes the persistent and earnest nature of God's communication through the prophets, a theme central to Jeremiah 7:13, highlighting the unwearied effort God made to call His people back.
barnesJeremiah 7:13: "And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not;"
Rising up early and speaking - A proverbial expression for "speaking zealously and earnestly." It is used only by Jeremiah.
pulpitJeremiah 7:13: "And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not;"
Verse 13. - Rising up early and speaking; i.e. speaking zealously and continually (so ver. 25; Jeremiah 25:4; Jeremiah 26:5; Jeremiah 29:19). It is an expression peculiar to Jeremiah.
The phrase "rising up early and speaking" isn't just about the time of day; it's a vivid picture of God's persistent, zealous effort to reach His people, like someone waking before dawn to urgently warn a loved one. It highlights not just His desire for them to listen, but the sheer diligence and care He invested in calling them back before it was too late.
Jeremiah is addressing the people who are trusting in the Temple itself for protection, even as they continue their wicked practices. He reminds them of what happened to Shiloh, a former place of worship, because of the people's sin, and warns that the same fate awaits their Temple if they don't repent. This verse specifically highlights God's persistent efforts to reach them through his prophets, who spoke and called out to them zealously and continuously, but were met with deaf ears and unresponsive hearts.
Jeremiah is addressing the people who are trusting in the Temple itself for protection, even as they continue their wicked practices. He reminds them of what happened to Shiloh, a former place of worship, because of the people's sin, and warns that the same fate awaits their Temple if they don't repent. This verse specifically highlights God's persistent efforts to reach them through his prophets, who spoke and called out to them zealously and continuously, but were met with deaf ears and unresponsive hearts.
"And now, because you have done all these things, declares the LORD, and when I spoke to you persistently you did not listen, and when I called you, you did not answer, therefore I will do to the house that is called by my name, and in whic…" — The phrase "rising up early and speaking" isn't just about the time of day; it's a vivid picture of God's persistent, zealous effort to reach His people, like someone waking before dawn to urgently w…
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