Jeremiah 11: Covenant Broken, Consequences Foretold
The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying,
Hear ye the words of this covenant, and speak unto the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem;
And say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant,
Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God:
That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O Lord.
Then the Lord said unto me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them.
For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.
Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do; but they did them not.
And the Lord said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.
Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.
Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble.
For according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal.
Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble.
What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from thee? when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest.
The Lord called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.
For the Lord of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.
And the Lord hath given me knowledge of it, and I know it: then thou shewedst me their doings.
But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.
But, O Lord of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause.
Therefore thus saith the Lord of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the Lord, that thou die not by our hand:
Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, I will punish them: the young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine:
And there shall be no remnant of them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation.
Jeremiah 11 serves as a stark reminder of the broken covenant between God and His people, Judah. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God reiterates the terms of the Mosaic covenant and unveils the impending judgment due to their persistent disobedience. This chapter is not merely a historical account but a timeless warning about the consequences of straying from God's path.
The Word of the Lord and the Covenant's Foundation (Jeremiah 11:1-5)
The chapter begins with the emphatic declaration that the message Jeremiah delivers originates directly from the LORD (Jeremiah 11:1). This is a crucial point. It's not Jeremiah's opinion or a cultural commentary; it's the very word of God. This divine origin underscores the weight and authority of the message. God reminds them of the fundamental terms of the Mosaic covenant: obedience brings blessing, while disobedience invites curses (Jeremiah 11:2-5). This was the bedrock of their relationship with God, a straightforward agreement that defined their national identity and destiny. God's message was a restatement of the basic terms of the Mosaic covenant. These were not hard to understand: obey God and be blessed, or disobey him and be cursed (Jeremiah 11:2-5).
A History Lesson Ignored (Jeremiah 11:6-10)
God, in His patience, provides Judah with a historical review. He reminds them that their ancestors, delivered from Egypt, received the same commands and warnings (Jeremiah 11:7). Sadly, they, too, chose disobedience, leading to the curses of the covenant being unleashed upon them (Jeremiah 11:8). Despite centuries of historical precedent demonstrating the consequences of disobedience, the people of Judah stubbornly repeated the mistakes of their forefathers, plunging into idolatry and other sins (Jeremiah 11:9-10). This wasn’t an innocent oversight or mere childish foolishness. The people of Judah had conspired to disobey God (Jeremiah 11:9)—that is, they were very deliberate in their sin. The phrase "like father, like son" sadly rings true here, highlighting a pattern of generational rebellion.
Idolatry and the Silencing of Intercession (Jeremiah 11:11-14)
The extent of Judah's idolatry is staggering. God accuses them of having as many gods as cities, with altars to Baal erected everywhere (Jeremiah 11:13). This widespread idolatry provokes God's anger to the point where He instructs Jeremiah not to pray for the people's deliverance (Jeremiah 11:14). God was so angry that, once again, he told Jeremiah not to bother praying for Judah to be spared (Jeremiah 11:14). Their blatant Baal worship had reached a point of no return, signifying a complete rejection of the one true God.
Rejection of the Messenger (Jeremiah 11:18-23)
The people's response to Jeremiah's prophetic warnings is a classic example of sinful reaction: they seek to silence the messenger because they dislike the message (Jeremiah 11:18-23). Shockingly, the conspirators against Jeremiah were the people of Anathoth, his own hometown (Jeremiah 11:21, 23; see 1:1). This betrayal by those closest to him adds another layer of pain and difficulty to Jeremiah's already challenging ministry. But God assures the prophet that their plot will fail, demonstrating His protection over His chosen servant.
Key Takeaways for Today
Jeremiah 11 offers several important lessons for contemporary readers:
- The Importance of Covenant: God's covenants, both old and new, are serious commitments. We are called to honor our relationship with Him through obedience and faithfulness.
- The Danger of Ignoring History: We must learn from the mistakes of the past. Ignoring the consequences of disobedience, as Judah did, leads to repeating those same errors.
- The Reality of Consequences: Sin has consequences, both personal and communal. While God is merciful, He is also just and will not overlook persistent rebellion.
- The Courage to Speak Truth: Like Jeremiah, we are called to speak truth, even when it is unpopular or met with resistance.
- God's Protection: Even in the face of opposition, God protects those who are faithful to Him.
Jeremiah 11 is a sobering reminder of the importance of remaining true to God's covenant. It calls us to examine our own hearts, to repent of any idolatry or disobedience, and to commit ourselves to following God's path.
The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying,
Hear ye the words of this covenant, and speak unto the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem;
And say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant,
Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God:
That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O Lord.
Then the Lord said unto me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them.
For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.
Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do; but they did them not.
And the Lord said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.
Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.
Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble.
For according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal.
Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble.
What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from thee? when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest.
The Lord called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.
For the Lord of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.
And the Lord hath given me knowledge of it, and I know it: then thou shewedst me their doings.
But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.
But, O Lord of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause.
Therefore thus saith the Lord of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the Lord, that thou die not by our hand:
Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, I will punish them: the young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine:
And there shall be no remnant of them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation.
Jeremiah 11 serves as a stark reminder of the broken covenant between God and His people, Judah. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God reiterates the terms of the Mosaic covenant and unveils the impending judgment due to their persistent disobedience. This chapter is not merely a historical account but a timeless warning about the consequences of straying from God's path.
The Word of the Lord and the Covenant's Foundation (Jeremiah 11:1-5)
The chapter begins with the emphatic declaration that the message Jeremiah delivers originates directly from the LORD (Jeremiah 11:1). This is a crucial point. It's not Jeremiah's opinion or a cultural commentary; it's the very word of God. This divine origin underscores the weight and authority of the message. God reminds them of the fundamental terms of the Mosaic covenant: obedience brings blessing, while disobedience invites curses (Jeremiah 11:2-5). This was the bedrock of their relationship with God, a straightforward agreement that defined their national identity and destiny. God's message was a restatement of the basic terms of the Mosaic covenant. These were not hard to understand: obey God and be blessed, or disobey him and be cursed (Jeremiah 11:2-5).
A History Lesson Ignored (Jeremiah 11:6-10)
God, in His patience, provides Judah with a historical review. He reminds them that their ancestors, delivered from Egypt, received the same commands and warnings (Jeremiah 11:7). Sadly, they, too, chose disobedience, leading to the curses of the covenant being unleashed upon them (Jeremiah 11:8). Despite centuries of historical precedent demonstrating the consequences of disobedience, the people of Judah stubbornly repeated the mistakes of their forefathers, plunging into idolatry and other sins (Jeremiah 11:9-10). This wasn’t an innocent oversight or mere childish foolishness. The people of Judah had conspired to disobey God (Jeremiah 11:9)—that is, they were very deliberate in their sin. The phrase "like father, like son" sadly rings true here, highlighting a pattern of generational rebellion.
Idolatry and the Silencing of Intercession (Jeremiah 11:11-14)
The extent of Judah's idolatry is staggering. God accuses them of having as many gods as cities, with altars to Baal erected everywhere (Jeremiah 11:13). This widespread idolatry provokes God's anger to the point where He instructs Jeremiah not to pray for the people's deliverance (Jeremiah 11:14). God was so angry that, once again, he told Jeremiah not to bother praying for Judah to be spared (Jeremiah 11:14). Their blatant Baal worship had reached a point of no return, signifying a complete rejection of the one true God.
Rejection of the Messenger (Jeremiah 11:18-23)
The people's response to Jeremiah's prophetic warnings is a classic example of sinful reaction: they seek to silence the messenger because they dislike the message (Jeremiah 11:18-23). Shockingly, the conspirators against Jeremiah were the people of Anathoth, his own hometown (Jeremiah 11:21, 23; see 1:1). This betrayal by those closest to him adds another layer of pain and difficulty to Jeremiah's already challenging ministry. But God assures the prophet that their plot will fail, demonstrating His protection over His chosen servant.
Key Takeaways for Today
Jeremiah 11 offers several important lessons for contemporary readers:
- The Importance of Covenant: God's covenants, both old and new, are serious commitments. We are called to honor our relationship with Him through obedience and faithfulness.
- The Danger of Ignoring History: We must learn from the mistakes of the past. Ignoring the consequences of disobedience, as Judah did, leads to repeating those same errors.
- The Reality of Consequences: Sin has consequences, both personal and communal. While God is merciful, He is also just and will not overlook persistent rebellion.
- The Courage to Speak Truth: Like Jeremiah, we are called to speak truth, even when it is unpopular or met with resistance.
- God's Protection: Even in the face of opposition, God protects those who are faithful to Him.
Jeremiah 11 is a sobering reminder of the importance of remaining true to God's covenant. It calls us to examine our own hearts, to repent of any idolatry or disobedience, and to commit ourselves to following God's path.