Listen to God’s Word (Jeremiah 13:15)

2026 Bible Reading: Jeremiah 12–16

PRINCIPLE: When the LORD speaks, humble your heart and listen to His Word. (Jeremiah 13:15)

“Hear and give ear; be not proud, for the LORD has spoken.” – Jeremiah 13:15

Jeremiah 13 contains a series of prophetic warnings against Judah’s pride. Through vivid symbolic images—the ruined linen belt (Jeremiah 13:1–11), the filled jars of wine (Jeremiah 13:12–14), and the coming darkness of judgment (Jeremiah 13:16)—the LORD exposed Judah’s stubborn refusal to listen. The ruined belt showed how Judah had become useless by clinging to other gods. The filled jars pictured the people and leaders being filled with the drunkenness of God’s wrath and shattered like jars under judgment.

After Jeremiah 13:15, the warning becomes even more urgent. Judah was called to give glory to the LORD before darkness overtook them (Jeremiah 13:16). This meant acknowledging their sin, turning from their apostasy, and returning to God in sincere repentance. If they refused to listen because of pride, Jeremiah would weep bitterly because the LORD’s flock would be taken captive (Jeremiah 13:17).

Even the king and queen mother would be brought down from their thrones, and Judah’s cities would be shut up with no one to open them (Jeremiah 13:18–19). The leaders would lose the flock entrusted to them, and Judah would suffer shame, exile, and exposure because of her deeply ingrained sin and idolatry (Jeremiah 13:20–27).

Against this background, Jeremiah 13:15 gives a direct summons: “Hear and give ear; be not proud, for the LORD has spoken.” The command to “hear” (Hebrew: šāmaʿ) calls Judah not merely to receive sound, but to understand, heed, and obey the LORD’s message. In the Prophets, this kind of hearing often carries the sense of listening with obedience. Therefore, Jeremiah was not asking Judah simply to listen to a sermon; he was calling them to submit to the Word of God while there was still time to repent.

The command “give ear” (hāʾăzînû) intensifies the summons. As a Hiphil imperative from the word related to “ear,” it carries the idea of actively using one’s ears, listening carefully, and heeding what is heard. Together, “hear” and “give ear” call for deliberate, attentive, and submissive listening. Judah had to stop treating God’s Word as background noise and begin receiving it as divine truth that demanded confession, repentance, and obedience.

The warning “be not proud” identifies the heart of Judah’s rebellion. The verb “be proud” (tigbāhû) comes from the idea of being high or exalted, but here it carries the negative sense of being haughty. In Scripture, pride often describes human arrogance, self-sufficiency, and resistance to God. Judah’s problem was not intellectual confusion but spiritual arrogance. They had lifted themselves above the LORD’s warning, refusing to admit their sin, reject false assurances, and bow before His Word.

The reason for the command carries divine authority: “for the LORD has spoken.” The verb “has spoken” comes from dābar in the Piel stem, the common form for speaking, especially in contexts where a message is actively communicated. Behind this speech is the reality of the LORD’s word, a revealed message from God Himself.

Judah was not hearing human opinion, prophetic exaggeration, or religious suggestion. The covenant LORD had personally and authoritatively addressed His people through His prophet. Therefore, to ignore God’s Word was not a small mistake but a serious act of pride. When people place their own judgment above God’s revealed Word, they reveal a heart that is too proud to listen.

In summary, Jeremiah 13:15 means we must listen carefully to God’s Word with humility and obey it, because He has spoken.

Theological Reflection

This passage teaches that because the LORD has spoken with divine authority, His people must not resist His Word in pride but receive it with humility, attention, and obedience.

God’s Word demands more than passive hearing; it calls for active, obedient listening. The commands to “hear” and “give ear” show that true listening involves understanding, receiving, and submitting to what God has revealed. It is not enough to acknowledge God’s Word intellectually; it must shape our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. When believers truly listen, they respond with repentance and obedience. (Matthew 7:24–25; James 1:22)

Yet this response is often hindered by pride, which stands as the primary barrier to rightly receiving God’s Word. Judah’s refusal to listen was rooted in a heart that exalted itself above God’s authority. In the same way, pride today leads people to resist correction, justify sin, and ignore divine warnings. A proud heart refuses to bow, but a humble heart submits to His truth. (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5)

Because of this, the urgency of responding to God’s Word must not be ignored. Jeremiah’s warning shows that there is a limited window to repent before judgment comes. Delayed obedience is disobedience, and ignoring God’s voice leads to spiritual darkness and loss. The call to listen is a pressing command that carries serious consequences. (Hebrews 3:15; 2 Corinthians 6:2)

When the LORD speaks, His Word calls for humble listening, exposes pride, and demands an immediate response. A heart that truly hears will turn from self-reliance and walk in obedience.

Applications

First, Listen to God’s Word with humility.

“Hear and give ear; be not proud, for the LORD has spoken.” – Jeremiah 13:15

Jeremiah 13:15 begins with the command, “Hear and give ear.” The LORD was not calling Judah to casual listening, but to careful, humble, and obedient attention. His Word was not background noise. It was divine revelation that demanded their full response.

Do not approach God’s Word merely to gain information, confirm your assumptions, or finish a routine. Come before Scripture with a teachable heart. Ask the Lord to correct your thoughts, expose your sin, reshape your desires, and lead you into obedience.

Second, Reject the pride that resists correction.

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” – James 4:6

The LORD warned Judah, “be not proud.” Their refusal to listen was not caused by lack of information, but by a proud heart that resisted God’s correction. Pride made them blind to sin, deaf to warning, and careless toward the consequences of disobedience.

Examine your heart whenever God’s Word confronts you. Do not defend your sin, excuse your delay, or dismiss His correction. Humble yourself before the Lord, admit what He exposes, and submit to what He commands.

Third, Obey the Word of God without delay.

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” – Hebrews 3:15

Jeremiah’s warning showed that Judah still had time to listen before darkness overtook them. The call to hear was an act of mercy, but it also carried urgency. If they refused to respond, judgment would come, and even Jeremiah would weep over the captivity of the LORD’s flock.

Do not delay obedience when God speaks. Respond today to His correction, conviction, and command. The right response to God’s Word is not postponement, but repentance, faith, and obedience while His mercy still calls.

Prayer

Father God, thank You for Your Word that calls us to hear, give ear, and humble our hearts before You. Thank You for speaking with divine authority, not to destroy us, but to call us back to Yourself. Forgive us for treating Your Word lightly, listening casually, or delaying obedience when You have clearly revealed Your will.

Lord, remove the pride that resists correction. Forgive us when we defend ourselves, justify our sin, cling to false assurances, or place our own judgment above Your Word. By Your Holy Spirit, give us humble and teachable hearts that tremble at Your Word, welcome Your correction, and respond with repentance and faith.

Teach us to listen carefully and obey without delay. Shape our thoughts, desires, decisions, and actions according to Your truth. May we receive Your Word with humility, submit to it fully, and walk in obedience while Your mercy still calls.

In Jesus’ Name. Amen.