Skip to content
Logo Devotion Header

Jeremiah 11 Destruction and Restoration

1 The Covenant Is Broken
This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord:

2 “Listen to the terms of this covenant and tell them to the people of Judah and to those who live in Jerusalem.

3 Tell them that this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Cursed is the man who does not obey the terms of this covenant—

4 the terms I commanded your forefathers when I brought them out of Egypt, out of the iron-smelting furnace.’ I said, ‘Obey me and do everything I command you, and you will be my people, and I will be your God.

5 Then I will fulfill the oath I swore to your forefathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey’—the land you possess today.”
I answered, “Amen, Lord.”

6 The Lord said to me, “Proclaim all these words in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem: ‘Listen to the terms of this covenant and follow them.

7 From the time I brought your forefathers up from Egypt until today, I warned them again and again, saying, “Obey me.”

8 But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubbornness of their evil hearts. So I brought on them all the curses of the covenant I had commanded them to follow but that they did not keep.’”

9 Then the Lord said to me, “There is a conspiracy among the people of Judah and those who live in Jerusalem.

10 They have returned to the sins of their forefathers, who refused to listen to my words. They have followed other gods to serve them. Both the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken the covenant I made with their forefathers.

11 Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘I will bring on them a disaster they cannot escape. Although they cry out to me, I will not listen to them.

12 The towns of Judah and the people of Jerusalem will go and cry out to the gods to whom they burn incense, but they will not help them at all when disaster strikes.

13 You have as many gods as you have towns, O Judah; and the altars you have set up to burn incense to that shameful god Baal are as many as the streets of Jerusalem.’

14 “Do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them, because I will not listen when they call to me in the time of their distress.

15 “What is my beloved doing in my temple
as she works out her evil schemes with many?
Can consecrated meat avert your punishment?
When you engage in your wickedness,
then you rejoice.”

16 The Lord called you a thriving olive tree
with fruit beautiful in form.
But with the roar of a mighty storm
he will set it on fire,
and its branches will be broken.

17 The Lord Almighty, who planted you, has decreed disaster for you, because the house of Israel and the house of Judah have done evil and provoked me to anger by burning incense to Baal.

18 Plot Against Jeremiah
Because the Lord revealed their plot to me, I knew it, for at that time he showed me what they were doing.

19 I had been like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter; I did not realize that they had plotted against me, saying,
“Let us destroy the tree and its fruit;
let us cut him off from the land of the living,
that his name be remembered no more.”

20 But, O Lord Almighty, you who judge righteously
and test the heart and mind,
let me see your vengeance upon them,
for to you I have committed my cause.

21 “Therefore this is what the Lord says about the men of Anathoth who are seeking your life and saying, ‘Do not prophesy in the name of the Lord or you will die by our hands’—

22 therefore this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I will punish them. Their young men will die by the sword, their sons and daughters by famine.

23 Not even a remnant will be left to them, because I will bring disaster on the men of Anathoth in the year of their punishment.’”

Previous Chapter Jeremiah 10 Next Chapter Jeremiah 12

Analysis of Jeremiah Chapter 11

The Book of Jeremiah, a cornerstone of the Old Testament prophetic literature, is a powerful testament to God’s covenantal relationship with Israel and His unwavering standards of righteousness. Chapter 11, in particular, stands out as a poignant reminder of the covenant between God and His people, and the dire consequences that follow when this covenant is broken.

The Covenant and its Breach (Verses 1-8)

Verses 1-8 open with God explicitly reminding Jeremiah of the terms of the covenant He established with the forefathers of Israel, saying, “Hear the words of this covenant, and speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.” It’s crucial to understand that this covenant isn’t a one-time agreement but a continuous and binding commitment that dictates blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. The essence of the covenant is articulated in verse 4, where God says, “Obey my voice, and do all that I command you. So shall you be my people, and I will be your God.” This verse encapsulates the conditional nature of the relationship between God and Israel – a theocratic ethos where the fidelity of the nation determines their well-being.

However, history, as recounted by Jeremiah, shows a pattern of disobedience and rebellion. God laments through the prophet, saying, “For I earnestly exhorted your fathers in the day I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, until this day, rising early and exhorting, saying, ‘Obey my voice.'” Despite persistent exhortations, the people did “not incline their ear,” a metaphor for their unwillingness to listen or heed God’s commands. Such a pervasive culture of disobedience inevitably led to the curses detailed in Deuteronomy, culminating in the invasion, destruction, and exile that marked Judah’s tragic history.

Betrayal and Conspiracy (Verses 9-14)

Verses 9-10 reveal a treacherous shift from disobedience to outright conspiracy against God. The LORD reveals to Jeremiah that there is a conspiracy among the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. This isn’t merely political dissent but a spiritual insurrection – a deliberate breaking of the covenant. God compares their behavior to their forefathers who also “walked after other gods to serve them.” This repetition of ancestral sins underpins a deep-seated cultural and spiritual defection that seems almost hereditary.

In verse 11, the gravity of their actions prompts a divine response: “Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will surely bring calamity on them which they will not be able to escape; and though they cry out to Me, I will not listen to them.'” The inevitability and inescapability of God’s judgment underscore His justice. When the covenant is systematically breached, divine retribution isn’t just punitive but corrective, intended to restore the relational integrity between God and His people.

Verses 12-14 emphasize the futility of seeking help from other gods. In times of distress, Judah will call out to these gods, but they will not save them. The LORD asserts that these gods, whom they burn incense to, will be powerless. Such idolatry manifests their ultimate repudiation of God’s sovereignty. Hence, God instructs Jeremiah not to intercede for the people: “Do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer for them, for I will not hear them in the time that they cry out to Me.” This command isn’t an abrogation of His love but a testament to the irreversible judgment deserved by the people’s persistent faithlessness.

The Sacredness of Worship and the Inevitability of Judgment (Verses 15-17)

Verses 15-17 reflect on the sacredness of worship and the hypocrisy of Judah’s ritualistic practices. In verse 15, God questions, “What has My beloved to do in My house, having done lewd deeds with many?” Despite their sinful ways, the people continue to perform sacrificial rituals, thinking that these will alleviate their guilt. The LORD refutes this by highlighting the disconnect between their ritual observances and their moral conduct.

Moreover, verse 17 brings a vivid image of a ‘green olive tree,’ once beautiful and fruitful, symbolizing Israel’s intended flourishing under God’s care. However, due to their wickedness, God says He will break off its branches and set it on fire, symbolizing the coming devastation. The imagery of the olive tree is particularly resonant, given its importance in agrarian societies not just as a source of sustenance but also as a symbol of peace and prosperity. By destroying this tree, God emphasizes the complete disintegration of that peace and prosperity due to the people’s unfaithfulness.

The Conspiracy Against Jeremiah (Verses 18-23)

The final verses (18-23) shift focus from the nationwide rebellion to personal threats against Jeremiah himself. God reveals to Jeremiah a plot against his life by the men of Anathoth, his hometown. This revelation highlights the prophetic peril – being a true mouthpiece for God often means standing against not only external enemies but also one’s own kin and community.

Jeremiah acknowledges his vulnerability, comparing himself to “a docile lamb brought to the slaughter” (verse 19). This poignant metaphor underscores his innocence and obliviousness to the danger, aligning his suffering with the sacrificial imagery often associated with righteous suffering in biblical texts.

God’s assurance follows swiftly in verses 21-23, promising divine retribution against those who seek Jeremiah’s life. The men of Anathoth, who conspired to silence him, will face their own downfall – their young men shall die by the sword, and their children will face famine, showing that divine justice is imminent and comprehensive. This reciprocation of violence to the conspirators underscores the principle of retributive justice central to the covenantal relationship.

Conclusion

Jeremiah Chapter 11 exposes the tragic cycle of covenantal infidelity and its resultant judgments. Through vivid metaphors and historical recounts, the chapter underscores the irrevocable link between obedience and blessings, disobedience and curses. It reflects the deep grief and righteous anger of God towards a people who consistently fall short of their covenantal obligations.

This chapter also highlights the isolation and danger faced by true prophets. Jeremiah’s personal ordeal reflects the broader societal rejection of divine truth, a theme that resonates across prophetic literature. His reliance on God’s revelation and protection amid conspiratorial threats provides a moving testimony to the resilience of faith even in the face of grave danger.

In essence, Jeremiah Chapter 11 isn’t just a historical account but a timeless theological meditation on faithfulness, justice, and divine sovereignty. It invites readers to reflect on their own covenantal commitments, urging a return to genuine obedience and worship. By laying bare the consequences of covenantal breach, it serves as a sobering reminder of the gravity and sanctity of the relationship between God and His people.