But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.
Jeremiah was a prophet in ancient Israel during one of the darkest and most turbulent periods in the nation's history — a time when the people had repeatedly abandoned God to pursue other things. In this verse, God speaks with striking emotional vulnerability, describing what he had hoped for: to treat his people like cherished children, to give them a beautiful land, a rich inheritance. He had hoped they would call him "Father" and remain close. Instead, they turned away. This is one of the most tender passages in all of scripture, revealing not a detached, unmovable deity but a Father whose genuine love has been met with rejection.
Father — I want to be able to say that word and mean it fully. Thank you for the longing you have for me that I don't always return. Draw me back when I drift, and help me stay close not out of obligation, but because I know your heart. Amen.
We don't often think of God as someone who has been let down. The conversation usually runs the other direction — human disappointment in God, the unanswered prayers, the long silences, the suffering that refuses to make sense. But this verse flips that entirely. Here is God saying, in plain language: I thought you would call me Father. I hoped. This is not the emotionless deity of philosophy books. This is a parent who prepared the inheritance, set the table, and waited — and watched his children choose something else. The tenderness in this passage is almost hard to sit with. What does it do to you to hear God speak this way? Not threatening, not listing consequences — just honest about what he wanted and what he found instead. Maybe it softens something. Maybe it makes the word "Father" feel heavier and more personal than it did five minutes ago. Here's what this verse insists on: you are the person God was hoping for. That hope hasn't expired. The same God who expressed this longing through Jeremiah is still holding the door open, still wanting to be called Father, still waiting for you to turn back.
What surprises you most about the tone God uses in this verse — and what does his emotional honesty here reveal about his character?
Have you ever had a moment where the word "Father" applied to God became more real, or more complicated, for you personally? What shaped that?
This verse shows God experiencing something like disappointment — how does that sit with your understanding of who God is? Does it raise questions, or does it bring comfort?
Knowing that God's longing for closeness with you is real and personal, how might that change the way you approach prayer — even a brief, honest moment today?
Is there a way you've been present to faith in posture but actually drifting in practice? What would genuinely turning back look like for you this week?
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 1:12
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Jeremiah 29:11
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Luke 12:32
And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
Acts 20:32
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
1 John 3:1
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Ephesians 1:5
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Romans 8:15
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God , and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Romans 8:17
"Then I said, 'How [gloriously and honorably] I would set you among My children And give you a pleasant land—a wonderful heritage, The most beautiful inheritance of the nations!' And I said, 'You shall call Me, My Father And not turn away from following Me.'
AMP
“‘I said, How I would set you among my sons, and give you a pleasant land, a heritage most beautiful of all nations. And I thought you would call me, My Father, and would not turn from following me.
ESV
'Then I said, 'How I would set you among My sons And give you a pleasant land, The most beautiful inheritance of the nations!' And I said, 'You shall call Me, My Father, And not turn away from following Me.'
NASB
“I myself said, “‘How gladly would I treat you like sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.’ I thought you would call me ‘Father’ and not turn away from following me.
NIV
“But I said: ‘How can I put you among the children And give you a pleasant land, A beautiful heritage of the hosts of nations?’ “And I said: ‘You shall call Me, “My Father,” And not turn away from Me.’
NKJV
“I thought to myself, ‘I would love to treat you as my own children!’ I wanted nothing more than to give you this beautiful land — the finest possession in the world. I looked forward to your calling me ‘Father,’ and I wanted you never to turn from me.
NLT
"I planned what I'd say if you returned to me: 'Good! I'll bring you back into the family. I'll give you choice land, land that the godless nations would die for.' And I imagined that you would say, 'Dear father!' and would never again go off and leave me.
MSG