Jeremiah 13:8 Study Bible: Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

◄ Jeremiah 13:8 ►

Then the word of the LORD came to me:

Then
The word "then" serves as a temporal marker, indicating a sequence of events. In the context of Jeremiah, it suggests a continuation of God's communication with the prophet. This word underscores the ongoing relationship between God and His prophets, emphasizing that divine revelation is not a one-time event but a continuous dialogue. Historically, this reflects the period of Jeremiah's ministry, which was marked by frequent and urgent messages from God to His people.

the word
In Hebrew, the term for "word" is "dabar," which can mean a spoken word, a matter, or a thing. In the prophetic context, "dabar" signifies a powerful, living message from God. It is not merely a collection of sounds or letters but a dynamic force that accomplishes God's purposes. Theologically, this highlights the authority and effectiveness of God's communication, as His word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11).

of the LORD
The phrase "of the LORD" identifies the source of the message as Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God of Israel. This is significant because it distinguishes the message as divine rather than human in origin. The use of "LORD" in all caps in English translations represents the tetragrammaton YHWH, the sacred and personal name of God. This emphasizes His sovereignty, holiness, and faithfulness to His people.

came
The verb "came" suggests movement and initiative. In Hebrew, the word is "hayah," which can mean to come into being or to happen. This indicates that the word of the LORD actively approaches the prophet, signifying God's initiative in revealing His will. It is a reminder that God is not distant or passive but actively involved in guiding and instructing His people.

to me
The phrase "to me" personalizes the message, indicating that Jeremiah is the recipient of God's word. This highlights the role of the prophet as a mediator between God and His people. Jeremiah's personal reception of the word underscores the intimate and direct nature of prophetic revelation. It also reflects the responsibility placed upon the prophet to faithfully convey God's message to the people, often at great personal cost.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Judah. Known for his lamentations and warnings of impending judgment due to the people's unfaithfulness.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who communicates His will and judgment through His prophets.

3. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which was often warned by prophets like Jeremiah about their disobedience and idolatry.

4. The Word of the LORD
Represents God's direct communication to His prophets, often containing messages of warning, judgment, or hope.

5. The Linen Belt (Contextual Event)
In the preceding verses, God instructs Jeremiah to use a linen belt as a symbolic act to demonstrate Judah's corruption and impending judgment.

Teaching Points

The Role of Prophets
Prophets are chosen vessels through whom God communicates His will. Understanding their role helps us appreciate the gravity of their messages.

The Importance of Obedience
The context of Jeremiah 13 emphasizes the consequences of disobedience. Reflect on the importance of aligning our lives with God's commands.

Symbolism in Scripture
The use of the linen belt as a symbol teaches us to look for deeper meanings in biblical accounts and how God uses everyday objects to convey spiritual truths.

God's Persistent Communication
Despite Judah's rebellion, God continues to speak through Jeremiah, showing His desire for repentance and restoration.

The Consequences of Ignoring God's Word
Judah's fate serves as a warning of the dangers of ignoring divine warnings. Consider how we might be ignoring God's word in our own lives.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does understanding the role of a prophet like Jeremiah help us interpret his messages today?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we are not ignoring God's word in our daily lives, similar to how Judah ignored Jeremiah's warnings?

3. How does the symbolism of the linen belt in Jeremiah 13 relate to other symbolic acts in the Bible, and what can we learn from them?

4. What are some modern-day "prophetic warnings" that we might be overlooking, and how can we be more attentive to them?

5. How can we apply the lessons from Jeremiah 13:8 to strengthen our obedience and relationship with God?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Isaiah 6
Similar to Jeremiah, Isaiah receives a direct word from the LORD, emphasizing the role of prophets in conveying God's messages.

Ezekiel 3
Ezekiel, like Jeremiah, is called to deliver God's word to a rebellious house, highlighting the consistent theme of prophetic warning throughout the Old Testament.

Amos 3:7
This verse underscores the principle that God reveals His plans through His prophets, reinforcing the importance of prophetic messages like those given to Jeremiah.

Sermons

Good Reasons for Singular Conduct		Jeremiah 13:1-11
Nearness to God Destroyed by Sin	E. Jerman.	Jeremiah 13:1-11
The Cast-Off Girdle		Jeremiah 13:1-11
The Marred Girdle	A.F. Muir	Jeremiah 13:1-11
The Marred Girdle	D. Young	Jeremiah 13:1-11
The Ruined Girdle; Or, it May be Too Late to Mend	S. Conway	Jeremiah 13:1-12

People

Jeremiah

Places

Euphrates River, Jerusalem, Negeb

Topics

Saying, Thus

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Jeremiah 13:1-11

5131 belt

Library

An Impossibility Made Possible
'Can the Ethiopian change his skin?'--JER. xiii. 23. 'If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.'--2 COR. v. 17. 'Behold, I make all things new.'--REV. xxi. 5. Put these three texts together. The first is a despairing question to which experience gives only too sad and decisive a negative answer. It is the answer of many people who tell us that character must be eternal, and of many a baffled man who says, 'It is of no use--I have tried and can do nothing.' The second text is the grand Christian …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Notion of Inability.
PROPER METHOD OF ACCOUNTING FOR IT. I have represented ability, or the freedom of the will, as a first-truth of consciousness, a truth necessarily known to all moral agents. The inquiry may naturally arise, How then is it to be accounted for, that so many men have denied the liberty of the will, or ability to obey God? A recent writer thinks this denial a sufficient refutation of the affirmation, that ability is a first-truth of consciousness. It is important that this denial should be accounted …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

On Earthly Things
The earth is man himself; in the gospel: another has fallen into the good earth. The same in a bad part about the sinner: you devour the earth all the days of your life. [Mark 4:18; Genesis 3:14] The dry lands are the flesh of a fruitless man; in Ecclesiastes, to work in a dry land with evil and sorrow. [Ecclesiastes 37:3] The dust is a sinner or the vanity of the flesh; in the psalm: like the dust, which the wind blows about. [Ps. 1:4 Vulgate] The mud is the gluttony of sinners; in the psalm: tear …
St. Eucherius of Lyons—The Formulae of St. Eucherius of Lyons

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

On the Animals
The birds are the saints, because they fly to the higher heart; in the gospel: and he made great branches that the birds of the air might live in their shade. [Mark 4:32] Flying is the death of the saints in God or the knowledge of the Scriptures; in the psalm: I shall fly and I shall be at rest. [Ps. 54(55):7 Vulgate] The wings are the two testaments; in Ezekiel: your body will fly with two wings of its own. [Ez. 1:23] The feathers are the Scriptures; in the psalm: the wings of the silver dove. …
St. Eucherius of Lyons—The Formulae of St. Eucherius of Lyons

Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Meditations on the Hindrances which Keep Back a Sinner from the Practice of Piety.
Those hindrances are chiefly seven:-- I. An ignorant mistaking of the true meaning of certain places of the holy Scriptures, and some other chief grounds of Christian religion. The Scriptures mistaken are these: 1. Ezek. xxxiii. 14, 16, "At what time soever a sinner repenteth him of his sin, I will blot out all," &c. Hence the carnal Christian gathers, that he may repent when he will. It is true, whensoever a sinner does repent, God will forgive; but the text saith not, that a sinner may repent whensoever …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

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 13:8 NIV
Jeremiah 13:8 NLT
Jeremiah 13:8 ESV
Jeremiah 13:8 NASB
Jeremiah 13:8 KJV

Jeremiah 13:8 Commentaries

Bible Hub