Jeremiah 25:4-5
What is written? (ESV)
You have neither listened nor inclined your ears to hear, although the Lord persistently sent to you all his servants the prophets, saying, Turn now, every one of you, from his evil way and evil deeds, and dwell upon the land that the Lord has given to you and your fathers from of old and forever.
What does it say?
You have not listened or paid attention even though God repeatedly sent you prophets speaking His word [true prophets]. They said, “Turn now, every one of you, from his evil way and evil deeds, and dwell upon the land that the Lord has given to you and your fathers from of old and forever.”
What is its immediate context?
The message from God through Jeremiah – a message he personally had been giving for 23 years at this point (vs 3). The northern ten tribes have already been taken away by Assyria for their disobedience. Now, the southern two tribes will follow suit at the hands of the Babylonians.
How Jeremiah 25:4-5 is applied across Bible answers
Was the land promise fulfilled in 1948?
At around 580 BC, Jeremiah believed the land promise had been fulfilled but was jeopardized by their disobedience.
Jeremiah's sentiment about God having fulfilled his promise (the land) and their disobedience is repeated in his prayer, "And you gave them this land, which you swore to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey. And they entered and took possession of it. But they did not obey your voice or walk in your law. They did nothing of all you commanded them to do. Therefore, you have made all this disaster come upon them." (Jeremiah 32:22-23).
