Jeremiah 25:3
"From the thirteenth year of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah until this very day--twenty-three years--the word of the LORD has come to me, and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened.
From the thirteenth year of Josiah
The thirteenth year of Josiah marks a significant point in the history of Judah. Josiah was a reforming king, known for his efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh and eliminate idolatry. This period is around 627 BC, a time when the Assyrian Empire was weakening, and Babylon was rising. The mention of Josiah underscores the historical context of Jeremiah's ministry, which began during a time of religious reform but was met with resistance and eventual decline.

son of Amon king of Judah
Amon, Josiah's father, was a king who did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to 2 Kings 21:20-22. His short reign was marked by idolatry, which Josiah sought to reverse. This lineage highlights the contrast between the wickedness of Amon and the righteousness of Josiah, setting the stage for Jeremiah's prophetic mission in a time of spiritual conflict.

until this very day
This phrase emphasizes the persistence and faithfulness of Jeremiah's prophetic ministry. For twenty-three years, Jeremiah has been a consistent voice for God, despite the people's refusal to listen. It underscores the long-suffering nature of God's call to repentance and the enduring patience of His messengers.

twenty-three years
The specific mention of twenty-three years indicates the length of Jeremiah's ministry up to this point. It reflects the prophet's dedication and the urgency of his message. This period also signifies a generation, suggesting that an entire generation had the opportunity to heed God's warnings but chose not to.

the word of the LORD has come to me
This phrase affirms the divine origin of Jeremiah's message. The "word of the LORD" is a common prophetic expression, indicating that Jeremiah's words are not his own but are inspired by God. It highlights the authority and authenticity of his prophetic declarations.

and I have spoken to you again and again
Jeremiah's repeated efforts to communicate God's message demonstrate his commitment and the importance of the message itself. The repetition signifies the urgency and necessity of repentance. It also reflects God's relentless pursuit of His people, offering them multiple opportunities to return to Him.

but you have not listened
This phrase captures the tragic response of the people of Judah. Despite the clarity and consistency of Jeremiah's message, the people remained obstinate. This refusal to listen is a recurring theme in the prophetic literature, illustrating the hardness of human hearts and the consequences of ignoring divine warnings. It serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of heeding God's word.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Judah. Known for his perseverance in delivering God's word despite opposition and rejection.

2. Josiah
The king of Judah during whose reign Jeremiah began his prophetic ministry. Josiah was known for his reforms and efforts to return Judah to the worship of Yahweh.

3. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which was the primary audience of Jeremiah's prophecies. Judah was facing impending judgment due to its persistent disobedience to God.

4. The Word of the LORD
Refers to the divine messages and warnings given by God through Jeremiah to the people of Judah over a span of twenty-three years.

5. The People of Judah
The recipients of Jeremiah's prophecies who repeatedly ignored his warnings and continued in their disobedience.
Teaching Points
Perseverance in Ministry
Jeremiah's example teaches us the importance of faithfully delivering God's message, even when it seems no one is listening.

The Consequences of Disobedience
Judah's refusal to heed God's warnings through Jeremiah serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ignoring divine instruction.

The Patience of God
God's persistence in sending Jeremiah to speak to the people for twenty-three years demonstrates His patience and desire for repentance.

Listening to God's Word
This passage challenges us to examine our own responsiveness to God's word and to ensure we are not ignoring His voice in our lives.

Historical Context and Relevance
Understanding the historical context of Jeremiah's ministry helps us appreciate the relevance of his message for our own time.
Bible Study Questions
1. What can we learn from Jeremiah's perseverance in delivering God's message despite the people's refusal to listen?

2. How does the historical context of King Josiah's reign enhance our understanding of Jeremiah 25:3?

3. In what ways can we ensure that we are not like the people of Judah, who ignored God's warnings through Jeremiah?

4. How does the patience of God, as demonstrated in this passage, encourage us in our own spiritual journey?

5. What parallels can we draw between the rejection of prophets in the Old Testament and the rejection of God's messengers today? How should this influence our response to God's word?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Kings 22-23
These chapters provide background on King Josiah's reign, his reforms, and the spiritual state of Judah during Jeremiah's early ministry.

Jeremiah 7
This chapter elaborates on the specific sins and disobedience of the people of Judah, highlighting why they did not listen to Jeremiah's warnings.

Matthew 23:37
Jesus laments over Jerusalem's history of rejecting prophets, drawing a parallel to the rejection Jeremiah faced.

Hebrews 1:1-2
Discusses how God has spoken through prophets in the past, emphasizing the continuity of God's communication with His people.
A Twenty-Three Years' MinistryD. Young Jeremiah 25:1-7
Messages RecapitulatedA.F. Muir Jeremiah 25:1-7
People
Amon, Babylonians, Buz, Dedan, Elam, Jehoiakim, Jeremiah, Josiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar, Pharaoh, Tema, Zidon, Zimri
Places
Ammon, Arabia, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Babylon, Buz, Dedan, Edom, Egypt, Ekron, Elam, Gaza, Jerusalem, Media, Moab, Sidon, Tema, Tyre, Uz, Zimri
Topics
Amon, Betimes, Ear, Early, Getting, Hearkened, Josiah, Josi'ah, Judah, Listened, Often, Persistently, Rising, Speak, Speaking, Spoken, Talking, Thirteenth, Till, Twentieth, Twenty, Twenty-three
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 25:3

     1690   word of God
     5165   listening

Jeremiah 25:3-4

     6194   impenitence, warnings
     8654   importunity, to people

Jeremiah 25:3-7

     5885   indifference

Library
Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Man and the Book.
In this and the following lectures I attempt an account and estimate of the Prophet Jeremiah, of his life and teaching, and of the Book which contains them--but especially of the man himself, his personality and his tempers (there were more than one), his religious experience and its achievements, with the various high styles of their expression; as well as his influence on the subsequent religion of his people. It has often been asserted that in Jeremiah's ministry more than in any other of the
George Adam Smith—Jeremiah

The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the Teaching of the Lord Concerning Purity - the Traditions Concerning Hand-Washing' and Vows. '
As we follow the narrative, confirmatory evidence of what had preceded springs up at almost every step. It is quite in accordance with the abrupt departure of Jesus from Capernaum, and its motives, that when, so far from finding rest and privacy at Bethsaida (east of the Jordan), a greater multitude than ever had there gathered around Him, which would fain have proclaimed Him King, He resolved on immediate return to the western shore, with the view of seeking a quieter retreat, even though it were
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
The Medes and Cimmerians: Lydia--The conquest of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Elam. As we have already seen, Sennacherib reigned for eight years after his triumph; eight years of tranquillity at home, and of peace with all his neighbours abroad. If we examine the contemporary monuments or the documents of a later period, and attempt to glean from them some details concerning the close of his career, we find that there is a complete absence of any record of national movement on the part of either Elam,
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
THE FALL OF NINEVEH AND THE RISE OF THE CHALDAEAN AND MEDIAN EMPIRES--THE XXVIth EGYPTIAN DYNASTY: CYAXARES, ALYATTES, AND NEBUCHADREZZAR. The legendary history of the kings of Media and the first contact of the Medes with the Assyrians: the alleged Iranian migrations of the Avesta--Media-proper, its fauna and flora; Phraortes and the beginning of the Median empire--Persia proper and the Persians; conquest of Persia by the Medes--The last monuments of Assur-bani-pal: the library of Kouyunjik--Phraortes
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8

Ci. Foretelling his Passion. Rebuking Ambition.
(Peræa, or Judæa, Near the Jordan.) ^A Matt. XX. 17-28; ^B Mark X. 32-45; ^C Luke XVIII. 31-34. ^b 32 And they were on the way, going up to Jerusalem [Dean Mansel sees in these words an evidence that Jesus had just crossed the Jordan and was beginning the actual ascent up to Jerusalem. If so, he was in Judæa. But such a construction strains the language. Jesus had been going up to Jerusalem ever since he started in Galilee, and he may now have still be in Peræa. The parable
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Jeremiah 25:3 NIV
Jeremiah 25:3 NLT
Jeremiah 25:3 ESV
Jeremiah 25:3 NASB
Jeremiah 25:3 KJV

Jeremiah 25:3 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Jeremiah 25:2
Top of Page
Top of Page