Jeremiah 25:1-6: a reflection

1The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah (this was the first year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon), 2which Jeremiah the prophet spoke to all the people of Judah, and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem: 3From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, even to this day, these twenty-three years, the LORD’s word has come to me, and I have spoken to you, rising up early and speaking; but you have not listened. 4The LORD has sent to you all his servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them (but you have not listened or inclined your ear to hear), 5saying, “Return now everyone from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD has given to you and to your fathers, from of old and even forever more. 6Don’t go after other gods to serve them or worship them, and don’t provoke me to anger with the work of your hands; then I will do you no harm.”

Jeremiah reminds the people of Judah how long God had been calling them back, and how patiently. For twenty-three years, he says, God's word had come, and not only through him: The LORD has sent to you all his servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them. Again and again, over decades, God had sent his prophets, calling the people to return from their evil ways, that he might do them no harm. The image of God rising up early to send his servants speaks of a remarkable patience and persistence, calling and calling, over years, though they would not listen.

Notice God's patient persistence in calling. He did not call once and give up; for twenty-three years he sent his prophets, rising up early, again and again, pleading with the people to return. The persistence is striking: God kept calling, kept sending, kept warning, over decades, though they did not listen. His patience was not exhausted by their refusal; he kept holding out the call to return. The picture of God rising up early to send his servants shows a God who does not quickly abandon his people to their sin, but calls and calls, patiently, persistently, giving them time and opportunity to return.

That patient persistence is worth taking to heart, for God is patient and persistent in calling us back, and we should not presume on it. God calls us back from our sin not once but again and again, patiently, over years, rising up early as it were to send his call, giving us time and opportunity to return, as he did with Judah. His patience is a mercy, meant to lead us to return; but it is not to be presumed upon, for the people who would not listen came at last to judgment. Do not presume on God's patience, refusing his persistent call to return; his patience is a mercy meant to lead you back, not an excuse to delay. Respond to God's patient, persistent call to return, not presuming on his patience or refusing to listen, as he sent his prophets to Judah for twenty-three years, rising up early; for God is patient and persistent in calling us back, and his long-suffering is a mercy meant to lead us to return, not to be presumed upon by those who will not listen.

Lord, Jeremiah reminds the people of Judah how long you had been calling them back, and how patiently. For twenty-three years, he says, your word had come, and not only through him: the LORD has sent to you all his servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them. Again and again, over decades, you had sent your prophets, calling the people to return from their evil ways, that you might do them no harm. The image of you rising up early to send your servants speaks of a remarkable patience and persistence, calling and calling, over years, though they would not listen. Show me your patient persistence in calling. You did not call once and give up; for twenty-three years you sent your prophets, rising up early, again and again, pleading with the people to return. The persistence is striking: you kept calling, kept sending, kept warning, over decades. Your patience was not exhausted by their refusal. You do not quickly abandon your people to their sin, but call and call, patiently, giving them time to return. Take that patient persistence to my heart, for you are patient and persistent in calling me back, and I should not presume on it. You call me back from my sin not once but again and again, patiently, over years, giving me time and opportunity to return. Your patience is a mercy, meant to lead me to return; but it is not to be presumed upon. Keep me from presuming on your patience, refusing your persistent call to return; your patience is a mercy meant to lead me back, Lord, not an excuse to delay. Help me respond to your patient, persistent call to return, not presuming on your patience or refusing to listen.