He took up the cause of the poor and needy, and so it went well with him. Is this not what it means to know Me?" declares the LORD. He took up the causeThis phrase indicates an active engagement in justice and advocacy. In the Hebrew context, the word often translated as "took up" is "דָּן" (dan), which means to judge or to plead the cause of someone. This reflects a deep commitment to righteousness and justice, which are central themes in the prophetic literature of the Old Testament. The historical context of Jeremiah involves a time when leaders were often corrupt, and the call to take up the cause of the oppressed was a radical return to the covenantal values of justice and mercy. of the poor and needy
The focus on the "poor and needy" highlights God's concern for the marginalized and vulnerable in society. The Hebrew words "עָנִי" (ani) for poor and "אֶבְיוֹן" (evyon) for needy emphasize those who are economically disadvantaged and socially powerless. Throughout the Bible, God consistently calls His people to care for these groups, reflecting His character as a defender of the oppressed. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that God’s kingdom is one where the last are made first, and justice is a priority. so it went well with him
This phrase suggests a direct correlation between righteous action and divine blessing. The Hebrew word "טוֹב" (tov), meaning good or well, is often used to describe the state of being in alignment with God's will. In the historical context of Jeremiah, this would have been a powerful reminder that true prosperity and success come from living according to God's standards of justice and mercy, rather than through exploitation or oppression. Is this not what it means to know Me?
Here, the concept of "knowing" God is deeply relational and covenantal. The Hebrew word "יָדַע" (yada) implies an intimate, experiential knowledge rather than mere intellectual assent. In the biblical context, to know God is to reflect His character and values, particularly His justice and compassion. This challenges the audience to consider that true knowledge of God is demonstrated through actions that align with His heart for justice. declares the LORD
The phrase "declares the LORD" underscores the authority and seriousness of the message. The Hebrew word "נְאֻם" (ne'um) is often used in prophetic literature to introduce a divine pronouncement. This serves as a reminder that the call to justice and righteousness is not merely a human ideal but a divine mandate. In the conservative Christian perspective, this affirms the belief that Scripture is God-breathed and authoritative, calling believers to live out their faith in tangible ways that reflect God's justice and mercy. Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, Jeremiah was called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the people of Judah. His ministry spanned the reigns of several kings, including Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah. 2. King JosiahKnown for his reforms and return to the worship of Yahweh, Josiah is often seen as a model of righteous leadership. His actions are contrasted with those of his successors, who failed to uphold justice and righteousness. 3. The Poor and NeedyThis group represents those who are marginalized and oppressed in society. The verse highlights the importance of advocating for their cause as a reflection of true knowledge of God. 4. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, where Jeremiah's prophetic ministry took place. The kingdom faced impending judgment due to its leaders' failure to uphold justice and righteousness. 5. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who desires His people to reflect His character through acts of justice and mercy. Teaching Points Knowing God Through ActionTrue knowledge of God is not just intellectual but is demonstrated through actions, particularly in how we treat the marginalized and oppressed. Justice and RighteousnessGod values justice and righteousness, and leaders are called to uphold these principles. This is a reflection of God's character and a requirement for those who claim to know Him. The Role of LeadershipLeaders, both spiritual and secular, have a responsibility to advocate for the poor and needy. Their actions can lead to societal well-being or downfall. Personal ResponsibilityEvery believer is called to take up the cause of the poor and needy, reflecting God's heart and fulfilling His command to love our neighbors. Reflecting God's CharacterOur actions towards others, especially the vulnerable, are a direct reflection of our relationship with God. We are called to mirror His compassion and justice. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Jeremiah 22:16 challenge our understanding of what it means to "know" God in our daily lives? 2. In what ways can we, as individuals and as a church, take up the cause of the poor and needy in our community? 3. How do the actions of King Josiah serve as a model for us in terms of leadership and justice? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure that our actions align with God's call for justice and righteousness? 5. How do the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 25:35-40 reinforce the message of Jeremiah 22:16, and how can we apply this in our interactions with others? Connections to Other Scriptures Micah 6:8This verse emphasizes doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God, which aligns with the message in Jeremiah 22:16 about knowing God through righteous actions. James 1:27This New Testament verse speaks about pure and undefiled religion, which involves caring for orphans and widows, echoing the call to support the poor and needy. Matthew 25:35-40Jesus teaches that serving the least of these is akin to serving Him, reinforcing the idea that knowing God is demonstrated through acts of compassion and justice. People Babylonians, Coniah, David, Jehoiachin, Jehoiakim, Jeremiah, Josiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar, ShallumPlaces Abarim, Babylon, Bashan, Gilead, Jerusalem, LebanonTopics Affirmation, Afflicted, Cause, Decided, Declares, Judge, Judged, Needy, Pled, Poor, Says, Wasn'tDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 22:16 5448 poverty, attitudes to
5449 poverty, remedies
5480 protection
8135 knowing God, nature of
8243 ethics, social Jeremiah 22:13-16 5361 justice, human Jeremiah 22:13-17 5437 palaces Jeremiah 22:13-19 9250 woe Jeremiah 22:15-17 5293 defence, human Library The Life of Mr. James Mitchel.
Mr. James Mitchel[152] was educated at the university of Edinburgh, and was, with some other of his fellow-students, made master of arts anno 1656. Mr. Robert Leighton (afterwards bishop Leighton), being then principal of that college, before the degree was conferred upon them, tendered to them the national and solemn league and covenant; which covenants, upon mature deliberation, he took, finding nothing in them but a short compend of the moral law, binding to our duty towards God and towards …
John Howie—Biographia Scoticana (Scots Worthies)Columban.
THE wild districts of Ireland were occupied with convents, after the example of Patrick, and cultivated by the hard labour of the monks. The Irish convents were distinguished by their strict Christian discipline, their diligence and their zeal in the study of the Scriptures, and of science in general, as far as they had the means of acquiring it. Irish monks brought learning from Britain and Gaul, they treasured up this learning and elaborated it in the solitude of the convent, and they are said …
Augustus Neander—Light in the Dark Places "Hear the Word of the Lord, Ye Rulers of Sodom, Give Ear unto the Law of Our God, Ye People of Gomorrah,"
Isaiah i. 10, 11, &c.--"Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom, give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah," &c. It is strange to think what mercy is mixed with the most wrath like strokes and threatenings. There is no prophet whose office and commission is only for judgment, nay, to speak the truth, it is mercy that premises threatenings. The entering of the law, both in the commands and curses, is to make sin abound, that grace may superabound, so that both rods and threatenings …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning "If we Say that we have Fellowship with Him, and Walk in Darkness, we Lie,"
1 John i. 6.--"If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie," &c. That which is the sum of religion, sincerity, and a correspondency between profession and practice, is confirmed by reason, and much strengthened by nature itself, so that religion, reason, and nature, conspire in one, to hold out the beauty and comeliness of sincerity, and to put a note and character of infamy and deformity upon all hypocrisy and deceit, especially in the matters of religion. There is …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Joy
'The fruit of the Spirit is joy.' Gal 5:52. The third fruit of justification, adoption, and sanctification, is joy in the Holy Ghost. Joy is setting the soul upon the top of a pinnacle - it is the cream of the sincere milk of the word. Spiritual joy is a sweet and delightful passion, arising from the apprehension and feeling of some good, whereby the soul is supported under present troubles, and fenced against future fear. I. It is a delightful passion. It is contrary to sorrow, which is a perturbation …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Two Classes.
"Two men went up into the temple to pray."--Luke xvii. 10. I now want to speak of two classes: First, those who do not feel their need of a Saviour who have not been convinced of sin by the Spirit; and Second, those who are convinced of sin and cry, "What must I do to be saved?" All inquirers can be ranged under two heads: they have either the spirit of the Pharisee, or the spirit of the publican. If a man having the spirit of the Pharisee comes into an after-meeting, I know of no better portion …
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 "To what Purpose is the Multitude of Your Sacrifices unto Me? Saith the Lord,"
Isaiah i. 11.--"To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord," &c. This is the word he calls them to hear and a strange word. Isaiah asks, What mean your sacrifices? God will not have them. I think the people would say in their own hearts, What means the prophet? What would the Lord be at? Do we anything but what he commanded us? Is he angry at us for obeying him? What means this word? Is he not repealing the statute and ordinance he had made in Israel? If he had reproved …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Jewish Homes
It may be safely asserted, that the grand distinction, which divided all mankind into Jews and Gentiles, was not only religious, but also social. However near the cities of the heathen to those of Israel, however frequent and close the intercourse between the two parties, no one could have entered a Jewish town or village without feeling, so to speak, in quite another world. The aspect of the streets, the building and arrangement of the houses, the municipal and religious rule, the manners and customs …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Jeremiah 22:16 NIVJeremiah 22:16 NLTJeremiah 22:16 ESVJeremiah 22:16 NASBJeremiah 22:16 KJV
Jeremiah 22:16 Commentaries
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