John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 23:35

"Thus shall ye say every one to his neighbor, and every one to his brother, What hath Jehovah answered? and, What hath Jehovah spoken?" — Jeremiah 23:35 (ASV)

Here the Prophet explains himself more clearly; he shows why God would not have his word called a burden. Why so? Because they, in a way, closed the path, so that they received no benefit from God’s word while they regarded it with disdain and hatred. For the word 'burden' was an obstacle, preventing them from giving access to God or opening their ears to hear his word.

God then bids them to come with empty and sincere hearts. For it is a real preparation for a teachable spirit when we acknowledge that we ought to believe God’s word, and also when we are not possessed by a perverse feeling that forms a prejudice and, in a way, holds us bound, so that we are not free to form a right judgment.

The meaning of the passage then is this: the Jews, renouncing their blasphemies, were to prepare themselves reverently to hear God’s word, for hearing is due to God. Then, this word was to be heard with sincere hearts, so that no weariness, pride, hatred, or any depraved feeling might hinder his word from being believed and reverently heard by all.

This then is what the Prophet means when he says, "You shall from now on change your impious expression, and shall say, What has Jehovah answered? What has Jehovah spoken?" This means they are not to close the door themselves but are to come willingly to the school of God, meek and teachable. In this way, nothing would hinder them from rendering honor to God and embracing his word, so that they might be terrified by his threats and, being drawn by his promises, devote themselves wholly to him.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, that as nothing is better for us or more necessary for our chief happiness than to depend on your word—for that is a sure pledge of your good will towards us—O grant that, since you have favored us with such a unique benefit, which you manifest to us daily, we may be attentive to hear you and submit ourselves to you in true fear, meekness, and humility. Grant that we may thereby be prepared in the spirit of meekness to receive whatever proceeds from you, and that thus your word may be not only precious to us but also sweet and delightful, until we enjoy the perfection of that life which your only-begotten Son has procured for us by his own blood. Amen.