And the LORD answered, "It is because they have forsaken My law, which I set before them; they have not walked in it or obeyed My voice. The LORD answeredThis phrase emphasizes the direct communication from God, highlighting His active role in addressing the issues of His people. In Hebrew, "Yahweh" is the covenant name of God, signifying His eternal presence and faithfulness. The use of "answered" suggests a response to a preceding inquiry or situation, indicating that God is engaged and responsive to the actions and attitudes of His people. It is because they have forsaken My law that I set before them they have not obeyed My voice or walked according to it Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah. 2. Jeremiah A major prophet in the Old Testament, called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. 3. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, which is the primary audience of Jeremiah's prophecies. 4. The Law Refers to the Torah, the divine instructions given to Israel, which the people have forsaken. 5. The People of Judah The recipients of God's message through Jeremiah, who have turned away from God's commandments. Teaching Points The Importance of God's LawGod's law is not just a set of rules but a guide for living in a way that honors Him. Forsaking it leads to spiritual and societal decay. Obedience to God's Voice Listening to and obeying God's voice is crucial for maintaining a relationship with Him. Disobedience leads to separation and judgment. Consequences of Forsaking God Turning away from God's commandments results in negative consequences, both individually and collectively. The Role of Prophets Prophets like Jeremiah are sent by God to call His people back to obedience and faithfulness. Repentance and Restoration Even when we stray, God offers a path back through repentance and a return to His ways. Bible Study Questions 1. What are some modern-day examples of forsaking God's law, and how can we guard against them in our lives?2. How does the message in Jeremiah 9:13 relate to the blessings and curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28? 3. In what ways can we ensure that we are listening to and obeying God's voice in our daily lives? 4. How can the account of King Josiah's reforms in 2 Kings 22-23 inspire us to return to God's ways? 5. What steps can we take to repent and restore our relationship with God when we realize we have strayed from His commandments? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 28This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience to God's law, providing a backdrop for understanding the consequences mentioned in Jeremiah. Psalm 119 This psalm emphasizes the beauty and importance of God's law, contrasting the attitude of the people in Jeremiah's time. Hosea 4:6 This verse speaks about the destruction that comes from a lack of knowledge of God, similar to the forsaking of God's law in Jeremiah. 2 Kings 22-23 The account of King Josiah's reforms, which included a return to the law, highlighting the importance of obedience to God's commands. Romans 1:21-25 Paul discusses the consequences of turning away from God, paralleling the forsaking of God's law in Jeremiah.
People JeremiahPlaces Ammon, Edom, Egypt, Gilead, Jerusalem, Moab, ZionTopics Accord, Attention, Followed, Forsaken, Forsaking, Giving, Guided, Hearkened, Law, Obeyed, Says, Therein, Voice, WalkedDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 9:12-13Library India's Ills and England's SorrowsIt would seem as if some men had been sent into this world for the very purpose of being the world's weepers. God's great house is thoroughly furnished with everything, everything that can express the thoughts and the emotions of the inhabitant, God hath made. I find in nature, plants to be everlasting weepers. There by the lonely brook, where the maiden cast away her life, the willow weeps for ever; and there in the grave yard where men lie slumbering till the trumpet of the archangel shall awaken … Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857 "Boast not Thyself of To-Morrow, for Thou Knowest not what a Day May Bring Forth. " Characters and Names of Messiah How the Simple and the Crafty are to be Admonished. Original Sin A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox. Thoughts Upon Worldly-Riches. Sect. Ii. The Knowledge of God Jeremiah Links Jeremiah 9:13 NIVJeremiah 9:13 NLT Jeremiah 9:13 ESV Jeremiah 9:13 NASB Jeremiah 9:13 KJV Jeremiah 9:13 Commentaries Bible Hub |