Why did Jeremiah keep preaching when no one was listening? (Jeremiah 7:22–27)
22 For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices: 23 But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. 24 But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward. 25 Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them: 26 Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers. 27 Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them, but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them, but they will not answer thee.
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Asked July 08 2019
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Jack Gutknecht
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Tim Maas
I would say that the clearest answer to the question would be that that was what God had directed Jeremiah (in passages such as that cited in the question) to do, even though God Himself (in His omniscience) knew that the people to whom Jeremiah was preaching would not listen to him. Jeremiah's preaching (even though the people were not listening) would also leave those people without excuse before God for their spiritual blindness and sin. (Please disregard any duplicate postings of this answer if they appear.)
Marie Boggs
I believe God wanted Jeremiah to speak to the people so that there would be a record against them. And also because HE wanted to build Jeremiah's Faith in GOD, that HE would do as HE said, good or bad. In this way Jeremiah built a good relationship with the Lord. And it is supposed to be for a warning to us today; however I do not think many are listening now either. I try every day to speak about GOD to someone who needs to hear a good word. But there are times I am met with anger and insult, but I press on. I do believe that is what GOD expects us to do.
Alice Gardner
God is just and true. Just as a parent can punish their child for something they didn't know they were doing wrong, neither will God. He sent Jeremiah and other prophets before him to tell them of their sins and give them a chance to change and repent. Even though he knew they wouldn't, He had to make sure they knew that what they were doing displeased Him and that they would lose His favor and be punished. Jeremiah, being obedient to God, did as he was told, despite ridicule, persecution, and being ignored. I hope I'd do the same.
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