Definition: And the LORD hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending [them]; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear.
Explanation: Okay, letās break down this verse from Jeremiah 25:4. Itās a really important and somewhat dramatic message about a difficult situation. Here's the explanation in plain language: Basically, it says: āThe Lord is sending messengers (the prophets) to try and reach you, but you havenāt been listening or paying attention to them.ā Letās unpack that a little further: āThe LORD hath sent unto youā¦ā : This means God is directly addressing you ā the people he has chosen. āā¦all his servants the prophetsā¦ā : This refers to a group of messengers, often called prophets. They were God's way of communicating with humanity. āā¦rising early and sending themā : The prophets werenāt just sitting around waiting; they were actively going out to warn people about impending disaster. āBut ye have not hearkenedā¦ā : This is the key part. āHearkenedā means to listen carefully and understand whatās being said. You haven't been paying attention, or understanding the message. āā¦nor inclined your ear to hear?ā : This is a very strong way of saying you havenāt been receptive or open to their words. Youāve ignored them, dismissed them, or simply weren't interested in what they were telling you. What does this verse mean in a bigger picture? This verse comes from a time when God was trying to deliver a message of judgment and devastation to the people of Israel. The Lord was sending prophets to warn them about the coming of a terrible flood, famine, and war. But people were refusing to listen. This verse is essentially saying that because you haven't been receptive, God isnāt going to intervene or help you in this situation. It's a call for repentance ā acknowledging your failure to hear Godās message and turning back. In short, itās a plea for understanding and listening to Godās guidance. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the context of this passage in more detail?