Jeremiah 6:17 Cross References

Jeremiah 6:17

17: I set watchmen over you who said, `Listen for the sound of the trumpet!' But you replied, `No! We won't pay attention!'

"Again and again, the LORD has sent you his prophets, but you have not listened or even tried to hear.

This message came to me concerning Edom: Someone from Edom keeps calling to me, "Watchman, how much longer until morning? When will the night be over?"

"Your ancestors would not listen to this message. They turned stubbornly away and put their fingers in their ears to keep from hearing.

I will climb up into my watchtower now and wait to see what the LORD will say to me and how he will answer my complaint.

For the leaders of my people--the LORD's watchmen, his shepherds--are blind to every danger. They are like silent watchdogs that give no warning when danger comes. They love to lie around, sleeping and dreaming.

for I didn't shrink from declaring all that God wants for you.
"And now beware! Be sure that you feed and shepherd God's flock--his church, purchased with his blood--over whom the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders.
I know full well that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock.
Even some of you will distort the truth in order to draw a following.
Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you--my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.

"Son of man, give your people this message: When I bring an army against a country, the people of that land choose a watchman.
When the watchman sees the enemy coming, he blows the alarm to warn the people.
Then if those who hear the alarm refuse to take action--well, it is their own fault if they die.
They heard the warning but wouldn't listen, so the responsibility is theirs. If they had listened to the warning, they could have saved their lives.
But if the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn't sound the alarm to warn the people, he is responsible for their deaths. They will die in their sins, but I will hold the watchman accountable.

When the war trumpet blares, shouldn't the people be alarmed? When disaster comes to a city, isn't it because the LORD planned it?
"But always, first of all, I warn you through my servants the prophets. I, the Sovereign LORD, have now done this."
The lion has roared--tremble in fear! The Sovereign LORD has spoken--I dare not refuse to proclaim his message!

"Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from me, pass it on to the people immediately.
If I warn the wicked, saying, `You are under the penalty of death,' but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible, demanding your blood for theirs.
If you warn them and they keep on sinning and refuse to repent, they will die in their sins. But you will have saved your life because you did what you were told to do.
If good people turn bad and don't listen to my warning, they will die. If you did not warn them of the consequences, then they will die in their sins. Their previous good deeds won't help them, and I will hold you responsible, demanding your blood for theirs.
But if you warn them and they repent, they will live, and you will have saved your own life, too."

Obey your spiritual leaders and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they know they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this joyfully and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.

"Sound the alarm! The enemy descends like an eagle on the people of the LORD, for they have broken my covenant and revolted against my law.

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