Read & explore together
A Plea to Return
Jeremiah 4:1–4 is a direct call to return to Yahweh. These verses show that this return is not empty words only. It includes removing what is evil, speaking truthfully, and facing the need for inward change.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this passage, Yahweh speaks first to Israel, then to the men of Judah and to Jerusalem. He calls for return to himself, for abominations to be put away, for truthful and righteous use of his name, and for a deeper response before judgement falls because of evil doings.
Jeremiah 4:1–4Main takeaway
This passage teaches that returning to Yahweh means turning from evil, speaking truthfully before him, and seeking a changed heart.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Return to Yahweh himselfYahweh’s call begins with a condition: “If you will return.” The return is made clear by the words “return to me”.
Explanation
Yahweh’s call begins with a condition: “If you will return.” The return is made clear by the words “return to me”. It also includes putting away “your abominations” out of his sight. The passage describes return as turning back to Yahweh and removing what is offensive before him.
02Words that match truth and righteousnessThe next verse describes speech that fits this return. The words “As Yahweh lives” are not to be spoken lightly.
Explanation
The next verse describes speech that fits this return. The words “As Yahweh lives” are not to be spoken lightly. In this passage, they are to be said “in truth, in justice, and in righteousness”. The verse also says the nations will bless themselves in him and glory in him.
03Break up the ground, do not sow among thornsYahweh then speaks to the men of Judah and to Jerusalem with a farming image. He commands them to “break up” their ground and says, “don’t sow among thorns”.
Explanation
Yahweh then speaks to the men of Judah and to Jerusalem with a farming image. He commands them to “break up” their ground and says, “don’t sow among thorns”. The picture shows that Yahweh is not asking for a careless response. His words call for serious preparation instead.
04Deal with the heart before wrath comesThe final verse goes deeper with the command, “Circumcise yourselves to Yahweh”, then explains it with “take away the foreskins of your heart”.
Explanation
The final verse goes deeper with the command, “Circumcise yourselves to Yahweh”, then explains it with “take away the foreskins of your heart”. The warning is severe. Because of “the evil of your doings”, Yahweh says his wrath may go out like fire and burn so that no one can quench it.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does returning to Yahweh include in verse 1?
Look for the linked actions in the verse: returning to Yahweh and putting away abominations out of his sight.
02How does verse 2 say the words “As Yahweh lives” should be spoken?
Use the exact three qualities named in the verse: “in truth, in justice, and in righteousness”.
03How do verses 3 and 4 show that Yahweh wants more than an outward response?
Compare the command to break up ground and not sow among thorns with the command to deal with the heart.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Jeremiah 4:1–4
1“If you will return, Israel,” says Yahweh, “if you will return to me, and if you will put away your abominations out of my sight; then you will not be removed;
2and you will swear, ‘As Yahweh lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness. The nations will bless themselves in him, and they will glory in him.”
3For Yahweh says to the men of Judah and to Jerusalem, “Break up your fallow ground, and don’t sow among thorns.
4Circumcise yourselves to Yahweh, and take away the foreskins of your heart, you men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go out like fire, and burn so that no one can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.