They have turned their backs to Me and not their faces. Though I taught them again and again, they would not listen or respond to discipline. They have turned to Me their backs and not their facesThis phrase captures the essence of rebellion and rejection. The Hebrew word for "turned" is "פָּנָה" (panah), which implies a deliberate action of turning away. In the ancient Near Eastern context, showing one's back to someone was a sign of disrespect and disregard. This imagery is powerful, illustrating the people's conscious decision to reject God, despite His continuous call for repentance. The contrast between "backs" and "faces" emphasizes the relational breach; turning one's face signifies engagement and attention, while turning one's back denotes dismissal and neglect. though I taught them again and again
The phrase "taught them again and again" reflects God's persistent and patient efforts to instruct His people. The Hebrew root "לָמַד" (lamad) means to teach or instruct, often used in the context of imparting wisdom or knowledge. This repetition underscores God's enduring commitment to His covenant people, despite their obstinacy. Historically, this teaching came through prophets, the Law, and direct divine intervention. It highlights God's character as a patient teacher, ever willing to guide His people back to righteousness. they would not listen or respond to discipline
The refusal to "listen or respond" indicates a hardened heart. The Hebrew word for "listen" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which goes beyond mere hearing to imply obedience and action. The term "discipline" is derived from "מוּסָר" (musar), which encompasses correction, instruction, and moral training. This phrase reveals the tragic reality of Israel's spiritual state; despite God's corrective measures, they remained unyielding. In a broader scriptural context, this reflects humanity's general tendency to resist divine correction, necessitating a heart transformation through the Holy Spirit. The call is for believers to remain receptive to God's voice and responsive to His loving discipline. Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. He is known for his perseverance in the face of opposition. 2. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing impending judgment due to its persistent disobedience and idolatry. 3. GodThe sovereign Lord who is speaking through Jeremiah, expressing His frustration with the people's refusal to listen and respond to His teachings. 4. Babylonian SiegeThe historical context of this chapter is the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, a consequence of Judah's disobedience. 5. CovenantThe relationship established between God and Israel, which the people of Judah have violated through their actions. Teaching Points The Importance of Listening to GodGod desires a relationship where His people listen and respond to His guidance. Ignoring His voice leads to spiritual and often physical consequences. The Consequences of DisobediencePersistent disobedience and turning away from God result in judgment. This serves as a warning to remain faithful and attentive to God's word. God's Patience and PersistenceDespite repeated rejection, God continues to reach out to His people. This demonstrates His patience and desire for repentance and restoration. Self-Examination and RepentanceBelievers are encouraged to examine their own lives for areas where they may be turning their backs on God and to seek repentance and renewal. The Role of Discipline in Spiritual GrowthDiscipline is a tool used by God to correct and guide His people back to Him. Embracing discipline can lead to spiritual maturity and deeper faith. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the behavior of the people in Jeremiah 32:33 reflect our own tendencies to ignore God's guidance in today's world? 2. In what ways can we ensure that we are turning our faces toward God rather than our backs, especially in times of difficulty? 3. How does the theme of God's patience in Jeremiah 32:33 encourage us in our personal walk with Him? 4. What practical steps can we take to better listen and respond to God's discipline in our lives? 5. How can we apply the lessons from Jeremiah 32:33 to strengthen our commitment to God's covenant in our daily actions and decisions? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 31:20This verse highlights the recurring theme of Israel turning away from God despite His blessings, similar to the behavior described in Jeremiah 32:33. Isaiah 1:2-4Isaiah also speaks of the rebellious nature of God's people, emphasizing their failure to respond to God's discipline. 2 Chronicles 36:15-16Chronicles recounts how God sent messengers to His people repeatedly, but they mocked and despised His words, leading to judgment. Ezekiel 33:31-32Ezekiel describes the people as hearing God's words but not putting them into practice, reflecting a similar disregard for divine instruction. People Adam, Anathoth, Babylonians, Baruch, Ben, Benjamin, Hanameel, Jeremiah, Maaseiah, Molech, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar, Neriah, Shallum, ZedekiahPlaces Anathoth, Babylon, Egypt, Horse Gate, Jerusalem, Negeb, Shephelah, Valley of HinnomTopics Accept, Backs, Betimes, Discipline, Early, Ears, Face, Faces, Getting, Hearkened, Hearkening, Instruction, Listen, Listened, Neck, Often, Open, Persistently, Receive, Respond, Rising, Taught, Teacher, Teaching, Though, Turn, Turning, YetDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 32:33 5165 listening
5885 indifference
5932 response
6194 impenitence, warnings
8330 receptiveness
8491 watchfulness, divine
8654 importunity, to people Jeremiah 32:30-33 6218 provoking God Jeremiah 32:32-35 6103 abomination Jeremiah 32:33-34 5127 back Library October 27. "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all Flesh; is There Anything Too Hard for Me?" (Jer. xxxii. 27. )
"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for Me?" (Jer. xxxii. 27.) Cyrus, the King, was compelled to fulfil the vision of Jeremiah, by making a decree, the instant the prophecy had foretold, declaring that Jehovah had bidden him rebuild Jerusalem and invite her captives to return to their native home. So Jeremiah's faith was vindicated and Jehovah's prophecy gloriously fulfilled, as faith ever will be honored. Oh, for the faith, that in the dark present and the darker …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth Perseverance in Holiness
May the King himself come near and feast his saints to-day! May the Comforter who convinced of sin now come to cheer us with the promise! We noticed concerning the fig tree, that it was confirmed in its barrenness: it had borne no fruit, though it made large professions of doing so, and it was made to abide as it was. Let us consider another form of confirmation: not the curse of continuance in the rooted habit of evil; but the blessing of perseverance in a settled way of grace. May the Lord show …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 35: 1889 The Everlasting Covenant of the Spirit
"They shall be My people, and l will be their God. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from Me."--JER. xxxii. 38, 40. "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants Why all Things Work for Good
1. The grand reason why all things work for good, is the near and dear interest which God has in His people. The Lord has made a covenant with them. "They shall be my people, and I will be their God" (Jer. xxxii. 38). By virtue of this compact, all things do, and must work, for good to them. "I am God, even thy God" (Psalm l. 7). This word, Thy God,' is the sweetest word in the Bible, it implies the best relations; and it is impossible there should be these relations between God and His people, and …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial Discourse on Spiritual Food and True Discipleship. Peter's Confession.
(at the Synagogue in Capernaum.) ^D John VI. 22-71. ^d 22 On the morrow [the morrow after Jesus fed the five thousand] the multitude that stood on the other side of the sea [on the east side, opposite Capernaum] saw that there was no other boat there, save one, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples went away alone 23 (howbeit there came boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they ate the bread after that the Lord had given thanks): 24 when the multitude …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Fifteenth Day for Schools and Colleges
WHAT TO PRAY.--For Schools and Colleges "As for Me, this is My covenant with them, saith the Lord: My Spirit that is upon thee, and My words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LoThe future of the Church and the world depends, to an extent we little conceive, on the education of the day. The Church may be seeking to evangelise the heathen, and be giving up her own children to secular …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession The End
'1. And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it; and they built forts against it round about. 2. And the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah. 3. And on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land. 4. And the city was broken up, and all the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Entering the Covenant: with all the Heart
"And they entered into the covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart, and all their soul."--2 CHRON. xv. 12 (see xxxiv. 31, and 2 Kings xxiii. 3). "The Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul."--DEUT. xxx. 6. "And I will give them an heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God: for they shall turn to Me with their whole heart."--JER. xxiv. 7 (see xxix. 13). …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants Sanctification.
I. I will remind you of some points that have been settled in this course of study. 1. The true intent and meaning of the law of God has been, as I trust, ascertained in the lectures on moral government. Let this point if need be, be examined by reference to those lectures. 2. We have also seen, in those lectures, what is not, and what is implied in entire obedience to the moral law. 3. In those lectures, and also in the lectures on justification and repentance, it has been shown that nothing is …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology Concerning Peaceableness
Blessed are the peacemakers. Matthew 5:9 This is the seventh step of the golden ladder which leads to blessedness. The name of peace is sweet, and the work of peace is a blessed work. Blessed are the peacemakers'. Observe the connection. The Scripture links these two together, pureness of heart and peaceableness of spirit. The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable' (James 3:17). Follow peace and holiness' (Hebrews 12:14). And here Christ joins them together pure in heart, and peacemakers', …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Perseverance
'Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.' I Pet 1:1. The fifth and last fruit of sanctification, is perseverance in grace. The heavenly inheritance is kept for the saints, and they are kept to the inheritance. I Pet 1:1. The apostle asserts a saint's stability and permanence in grace. The saint's perseverance is much opposed by Papists and Arminians; but it is not the less true because it is opposed. A Christian's main comfort depends upon this doctrine of perseverance. Take …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity 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 32:33 NIVJeremiah 32:33 NLTJeremiah 32:33 ESVJeremiah 32:33 NASBJeremiah 32:33 KJV
Jeremiah 32:33 Commentaries
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