先知耶利米就將這話對猶大眾人、和耶路撒冷的一切居民說：「從猶大王亞們的兒子約西亞十三年、直到今日、這二十三年之內、常有耶和華的話臨到我、我也對你們傳說、就是從早起來傳說、只是你們沒有聽從。耶和華也從早起來、差遣他的僕人眾先知到你們這裏來、（只是你們沒有聽從、也沒有側耳而聽）說：你們各人當回頭離開惡道、和所作的惡、便可居住耶和華古時所賜給你們和你們列祖之地、直到永遠。」（耶25：2-5)
永不休息的天父真神，每天「從早起來」就願意跟我們說話，或藉著讀聖經時的感動、或是聚會時的聽道、或是用心所唱的詩歌、或是藉由身邊的人不經意地跟我們所說的話，無論這些人是信主還是還沒信主的。
這裡提到的「從早起來」用真理說話的，有兩個來源：一個是先知、一個是天父真神。當然來自先知的，也必先從神而來。
一早讀聖經，就好像軍人接受長官的命令一樣，要聽清楚，然後可以準確地執行。經上說：以色列人住在埃及共有四百三十年。正滿了四百三十年的那一天、耶和華的軍隊都從埃及地出來了。這夜是耶和華的夜、因耶和華領他們出了埃及地、所以當向耶和華謹守、是以色列眾人世世代代該謹守的。（出 12：40-42）。「出埃及」是脫離罪孽準備受洗進入基督的動作，神將我們這些出埃及的人，視為「耶和華的軍隊」。既然是軍隊，服從命令是天職。
哪有軍人總是悠哉度日的？哪有軍人不警醒隨時接受命令的？這「從早起來」讀聖經，是基督精兵的基本態度與素養，因為主的命令，常常就是「從早起來」命令就來了。這樣的命令，或是指示我們當行的道，也可以是對我們還不完全的行為上的提醒，使我們可以適時改正。
常聽到有人說：「世上只有媽媽好，有媽的孩子像塊寶。」有主耶穌成為天父的也更是神眼中的寶貝，既然我們是有天父成為父親的兒女，為何不專心聆聽祂說話呢？
感謝主讓我曾服務一個弱勢家庭比例極高的學校。記得退休前曾親自遇過一件事：有一位國中生因為犯錯來到我所在的學務處，被我嚴厲地教訓一頓。沒想到事後，他竟然跟我說：「老師，我以後可以叫您爸爸嗎？」因為知道他是個被拋棄的孩子，心中一酸，就跟他說：「你要怎麼叫都可以，只是以後不可以再犯這樣的錯！」
當下心裡想：能擁有健全的父母的孩子，何等幸福！當人失去父母之後，總是會渴望父母再跟他說說話，即使罵我們也可以，但可能已成一種奢求。今天，我們有了天父的幸福孩子們，為何會不喜歡讀聖經、禱告、聚會聽道理，聽天父說話呢？
還是喜歡一早就讀聖經，然後快樂一整天！
管教原是眾子所共受的、你們若不受管教、就是私子、不是兒子了。再者、我們曾有生身的父管教我們、我們尚且敬重他、何況萬靈的父、我們豈不更當順服他得生麼？（來 12：8-9）
by Isaiah Kao
Listening to the Gentle Voice of Our Heavenly Father "Early in the Rising" (Jeremiah 25)
July 22, 2026
"Then the prophet Jeremiah spoke all these words to all the people of Judah and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, 'From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, even to this day, these twenty-three years the word of the LORD has come to me, and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened. And the LORD has sent to you all His servants the prophets again and again, but you have not listened nor inclined your ear to hear, saying, "Turn now, every one of you, from his evil way and from the evil of your deeds, and dwell on the land which the LORD has given to you and your forefathers forever and ever."' (Jeremiah 25:2–5, NASB 2020)
Our Heavenly Father never rests. Early in the morning, He desires to speak to us each day. He may speak through the inspiration we receive while reading the Bible, through sermons we hear in service, through hymns we sing with sincere hearts, or even through the words of people around us—whether they are believers or not.
This passage mentions two sources that speak God's truth "early in the morning." One is the prophets, and the other is our Heavenly Father Himself. Of course, whatever the prophets spoke first came from God.
Reading the Bible early in the morning is much like a soldier receiving orders from his commander. He must listen carefully so that he can carry out the command accurately. The Bible says:
"Now the time that the sons of Israel lived in Egypt was 430 years. And at the end of 430 years, to the very day, all the multitudes of the LORD departed from the land of Egypt. It is a night to be observed for the LORD for having brought them out from the land of Egypt; this night is for the LORD, to be observed by all the sons of Israel throughout their generations." (Exodus 12:40–42, NASB 2020)
The Exodus symbolizes leaving behind sin and preparing to enter Christ through baptism. God regards those who came out of Egypt as "the armies of the LORD." Since we are His soldiers, obeying His commands is our duty.
What soldier lives carelessly every day? What soldier is not alert and ready to receive orders at any moment? Reading the Bible early in the morning is a basic attitude and discipline of a soldier of Christ, because the Lord's commands often come early in the morning. Sometimes they show us the path we should walk; at other times they gently point out areas where we still fall short, giving us the opportunity to correct ourselves in time.
People often say, "A mother's love is the greatest blessing, and children with a mother are treasures." How much more are those who have the Lord Jesus and God as their Heavenly Father treasured in His sight! Since we have such a loving Father, why would we not concentrate ourselves to listening to His voice?
I thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity to work at a school with a very high proportion of a disadvantaged families.Before I retired, I personally experienced an event: A junior high school student was sent to the student affairs office where I worked because of a serious mistake. After I firmly corrected him, he unexpectedly asked me, "Teacher, may I call you Dad from now on?" Knowing that he had been abandoned by his parents, my heart was deeply moved. I replied: "You may call me whatever you like—but promise me you won't make the same mistake again."
At that moment, I realized how blessed children are who grow up with loving parents. When people lose their parents, they often long to hear their voices again—even if it is only a word of correction. Yet that may become an impossible wish.
Today, we are blessed to have our Heavenly Father. Why, then, would we not enjoy reading the Bible, praying, gathering for service, and listening to His words?
I still love beginning each morning by reading the Bible—and then enjoying the entire day.
"But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?" (Hebrews 12:8–9, NASB 2020)
By Isaiah Kao
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