Jeremiah Quote by Jonathan Edwards
““The prophet Jeremiah (chap. xxv. 3), puts the people in mind how long he had labored among them in the work of the ministry: “From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day, that is the three and twentieth year, the word of the Lord came unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking.” I am not about to compare myself with the prophet Jeremiah; but in this respect I can say as he did, that “I have spoken the word of God to you unto the three and twentieth year, rising early and speaking.” It was three and twenty years, the 15th day of last February, since I have labored in the work of the ministry, in the relation of a pastor to this church and congregation.””
About This Quote
Source Sermon: The Prophetic Ministry, 1740s, preaching address
A pastor reflects on his long service, likening his dedication to Jeremiah’s early, persistent preaching.
In simple terms: He compares his ministry to Jeremiah’s early, constant work.
Key Takeaway
Commit to consistent, early effort in service.
Themes
service
dedication
faith
perseverance
Mood
reflective
devotional
Type
inspirational
historical
When to use this quote
- pastoral counseling
- church leadership
- personal reflection
- faith community
Key Concepts
Ministry
spiritual leadership
historical parallel
Questions to Reflect On
- How does early dedication shape long‑term impact?
- What practices keep ministry fresh?
A Different Perspective
May overlook the need for renewal after many years.
![“One of the great reasons, I am sure, why [David O.] McKay has lived to such a good, ripe, and vigorous old age has been the fact that as a young man he developed habits of retiring to bed early, arising early, generally before sun up, when his mind was clear and his body vigorous, to do the day's…” quote by Ernest L. Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2a0/ernest-l-wilkinson-76950_age_one-of-the-great-reasons-i-am-sure-why-d_2857259.jpg)
![“But it is doubtless true, and evident from [the] Scriptures, that the essence of all true religion lies in holy love; and that in this divine affection, and an habitual disposition to it, and that light which is the foundation of it, and those things which are the fruits of it, consists the whole…” quote by Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2fd/jonathan-edwards-770_affection_but-it-is-doubtless-true-and-evident-fro_82879.jpg)
![“Going all the way back to Jeremiah Wright and Tavis Smiley and Van Jones and even Shirley Sherrod and maybe even Maxine Waters and Charles Rangel. We're going to see what his [Barack Obama] response is.” quote by Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/07f/cornel-west-708_barack_going-all-the-way-back-to-jeremiah-wrigh_239109.jpg)
