Jeremiah 43

Jeremiah 43:1

The Majesty of God

Then comes the great contrast. Alternately, these verses speak of the utter idiocy of the idols, their absolute worthlessness and deadness, and in contrast to this the all-transcending glory of the LORD Who works mightily. Opposite the foolish idols, those nullities, Jeremiah places the absolute majesty of the LORD (Jeremiah 10:6). No one is equal to Him. He is indescribably great and His Name is great in might. His Name contains all that He is. That gives peace to everyone who believes. He is the “King of the nations” – not just of Israel (Romans 3:29) – and only He inspires fear (Jeremiah 10:7). No wise man of the nations compares to Him.

In Jeremiah 10:8-9, the absurdity of the peoples worshiping their self-made and decorated objects is pointed out once again. The material needed to make an idol was taken from somewhere on earth. The idols are made by craftsmen, but those people are also foolish for believing in such a big lie. It is artful work with an evil goal. The teaching of the idols is worth as much as the wood of which those gods are made.

Opposed to idolaters and their works is the God of truth (Jeremiah 10:10). Through Him we know the truth about all things. He is the true God, He is true in all His judgments and actions. He is also “the living God”. Through Him life came into being and through Him we know life. He is also “the eternal King”, He governs and controls everything always and everywhere. Nothing is out of His control. This makes Him the judging God, Who does not let sin go unpunished.

There are three contrasts here: 1. the idols are false, God is true; 2. the idols are dead, God is the living God; 3. the idols are transient, they perish, God is eternal.

Jeremiah must point out to the people that God will completely wipe out the idols (Jeremiah 10:11). These are idols to which creative power is attributed, but which, of course, have brought nothing into being. The belief in causes outside of God by which creation is said to have been brought about is thereby designated as idolatry. Behind the idols are demons. The theory of evolution is a teaching of demons.

He, the living God, and not some idol, is the Creator and Sustainer of all His works (Jeremiah 10:12; Psalms 135:5-12; 15-17). His works show the great contrast with the impotence and folly of the idols, which are also merely territorial gods, gods with a limited sphere of authority. Thus He made the earth by His power and established the world by His wisdom. The heavens, which the idolaters look to for signs, He has stretched out by His understanding.

We see here three features of God as Creator: 1. the earth, matter, was made by an act (speaking) of “His power”; 2. the world, the ordering and arrangement of the earth as a place for man to dwell, is the work of “His wisdom”; 3. the stretching out of the heavens as a tent over the earth He has done by “His understanding”.

His word is His might. When He speaks, always something happens (Jeremiah 10:13; cf. Psalms 33:9). His voice is heard in the various natural phenomena, to which Jeremiah refers here (cf. Job 37:2-3). We say “it rains”, but here we read that God makes His voice sound and then there is “a tumult of waters in the heavens”. The idols of the nations are captives of nature. God is not. He disposes of nature and determines its course (Job 28:24-26).

He “causes the clouds to ascend from the end of the earth” to make clouds of them that pour rain on the earth. He also made the lightning flashes that accompany them. He also “brings out the wind from His storehouses” (cf. Job 38:22). This omnipotence over nature is the omnipotence of its Creator, which is the Lord Jesus through Whom God made the worlds (Proverbs 30:4; Hebrews 1:2; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16).

If we think about the comparison of the LORD with the idols, we see that the prophet is not only saying here that the LORD is the Creator of the matter from which the idols are made. He also draws attention here to the natural phenomena that show that the LORD is the God Who sets nature in motion. But the greatest is that He is the Living God Who wraths and exercises wrath.

How stupid man is to exchange that exalted, all-transcending and governing God for a molten image that is “deceitful” (Jeremiah 10:14). Man who is “devoid of knowledge” of the true, living, eternal God resorts to falsehood. He goes to a goldsmith to put together a god for him. What that blacksmith makes is to his own shame. It is flimflam. In the image there is not a whiff of breath, not a trace of life. How can you expect any activity from that. This is really very stupid.

Do they not see that what the hands of the blacksmith have made is “worthless”, empty, hollow, totally without substance (Jeremiah 10:15)? And not only that. An idol is also a work of mockery. You can only mock it, that’s all. How ridiculous it is to expect anything from an idol. Finally, such a god has an expiration date. You can only believe in it for a limited time, because a time of punishment will come and then it will perish, along with its worshipers. Then it becomes what it always was: nothing (cf. 1 Corinthians 8:4-6).

Opposite is the imperishable “portion of Jacob”, which is the LORD Himself (Jeremiah 10:16). He made everything, He is “the Maker of all”. In the midst of it all, He took Israel as “His inheritance” (Exodus 19:5-6). In spite of all their deviation and sin, that remains. Only “the LORD of hosts” can conceive and do such a thing. It is the Name that indicates that all the powers in the universe are subject to Him. He will not let anything or anyone deny or dispute His connection with Jacob and Israel, no matter how much He must judge them for their unfaithfulness and rejection of Him, as the following verses show.

Jeremiah 43:2

Exile for Sinful Israel

The tone of the prophet changes again. The LORD calls Jerusalem – “you who dwell under siege” – to prepare for their exile (Jeremiah 10:17; cf. Ezekiel 12:3-16). They should just grab together what they need for the exile. They may feel safe in their fortress, but that is a false sense of security.

The LORD is going to make His people suffer the consequences of their unfaithfulness by slinging them out of the land (Jeremiah 10:18). Their exile to Babylon will take place with the force and speed of a stone being slinged away, without being able to resist it, just as a stone does not resist being slinged away. The LORD will afflict them with the terrors of exile. Then they will experience the truth of all the warnings given to them by the LORD.

Upon hearing these words, Jeremiah cringes (Jeremiah 10:19). He makes himself one with those who refuse to listen to his message and are therefore judged. He loves his people so much that he feels God’s judgments on His people pressing down on him like a sickness, which he must bear, with no hope of cure (cf. Nahum 3:19a).

Because of God’s judgment, he lost everything where he found rest and companionship (Jeremiah 10:20). By that can be meant the temple, but also Jerusalem and the whole land. The ropes, the connections, what holds everything together, have been broken. No one has a hold on anything anymore. There is also no one who can effect a change for the better, who can stretch out the tent again and set up the curtains again. No one can restore what has been lost. That great is the devastation and desolation.

Jeremiah does know the cause. The shepherds, the leaders of the people, kings like Jehoiakim and Zedekiah and lower administrators, have not sought the LORD (Jeremiah 10:21). They did not consult Him and then it is impossible to act wisely. Their wrong example has scattered the whole people like a flock. The unity is gone.

The terrifying sound of impending judgment follows (Jeremiah 10:22). Rumor reaches the city that the armies of Babylon have invaded the land in the north. The consequences are clear. They will make the cities of Judah a desolation. People will no longer be able to live there. They will become a haunt of jackals.

Jeremiah 43:3

Exile for Sinful Israel

The tone of the prophet changes again. The LORD calls Jerusalem – “you who dwell under siege” – to prepare for their exile (Jeremiah 10:17; cf. Ezekiel 12:3-16). They should just grab together what they need for the exile. They may feel safe in their fortress, but that is a false sense of security.

The LORD is going to make His people suffer the consequences of their unfaithfulness by slinging them out of the land (Jeremiah 10:18). Their exile to Babylon will take place with the force and speed of a stone being slinged away, without being able to resist it, just as a stone does not resist being slinged away. The LORD will afflict them with the terrors of exile. Then they will experience the truth of all the warnings given to them by the LORD.

Upon hearing these words, Jeremiah cringes (Jeremiah 10:19). He makes himself one with those who refuse to listen to his message and are therefore judged. He loves his people so much that he feels God’s judgments on His people pressing down on him like a sickness, which he must bear, with no hope of cure (cf. Nahum 3:19a).

Because of God’s judgment, he lost everything where he found rest and companionship (Jeremiah 10:20). By that can be meant the temple, but also Jerusalem and the whole land. The ropes, the connections, what holds everything together, have been broken. No one has a hold on anything anymore. There is also no one who can effect a change for the better, who can stretch out the tent again and set up the curtains again. No one can restore what has been lost. That great is the devastation and desolation.

Jeremiah does know the cause. The shepherds, the leaders of the people, kings like Jehoiakim and Zedekiah and lower administrators, have not sought the LORD (Jeremiah 10:21). They did not consult Him and then it is impossible to act wisely. Their wrong example has scattered the whole people like a flock. The unity is gone.

The terrifying sound of impending judgment follows (Jeremiah 10:22). Rumor reaches the city that the armies of Babylon have invaded the land in the north. The consequences are clear. They will make the cities of Judah a desolation. People will no longer be able to live there. They will become a haunt of jackals.

Jeremiah 43:4

Exile for Sinful Israel

The tone of the prophet changes again. The LORD calls Jerusalem – “you who dwell under siege” – to prepare for their exile (Jeremiah 10:17; cf. Ezekiel 12:3-16). They should just grab together what they need for the exile. They may feel safe in their fortress, but that is a false sense of security.

The LORD is going to make His people suffer the consequences of their unfaithfulness by slinging them out of the land (Jeremiah 10:18). Their exile to Babylon will take place with the force and speed of a stone being slinged away, without being able to resist it, just as a stone does not resist being slinged away. The LORD will afflict them with the terrors of exile. Then they will experience the truth of all the warnings given to them by the LORD.

Upon hearing these words, Jeremiah cringes (Jeremiah 10:19). He makes himself one with those who refuse to listen to his message and are therefore judged. He loves his people so much that he feels God’s judgments on His people pressing down on him like a sickness, which he must bear, with no hope of cure (cf. Nahum 3:19a).

Because of God’s judgment, he lost everything where he found rest and companionship (Jeremiah 10:20). By that can be meant the temple, but also Jerusalem and the whole land. The ropes, the connections, what holds everything together, have been broken. No one has a hold on anything anymore. There is also no one who can effect a change for the better, who can stretch out the tent again and set up the curtains again. No one can restore what has been lost. That great is the devastation and desolation.

Jeremiah does know the cause. The shepherds, the leaders of the people, kings like Jehoiakim and Zedekiah and lower administrators, have not sought the LORD (Jeremiah 10:21). They did not consult Him and then it is impossible to act wisely. Their wrong example has scattered the whole people like a flock. The unity is gone.

The terrifying sound of impending judgment follows (Jeremiah 10:22). Rumor reaches the city that the armies of Babylon have invaded the land in the north. The consequences are clear. They will make the cities of Judah a desolation. People will no longer be able to live there. They will become a haunt of jackals.

Jeremiah 43:5

Exile for Sinful Israel

The tone of the prophet changes again. The LORD calls Jerusalem – “you who dwell under siege” – to prepare for their exile (Jeremiah 10:17; cf. Ezekiel 12:3-16). They should just grab together what they need for the exile. They may feel safe in their fortress, but that is a false sense of security.

The LORD is going to make His people suffer the consequences of their unfaithfulness by slinging them out of the land (Jeremiah 10:18). Their exile to Babylon will take place with the force and speed of a stone being slinged away, without being able to resist it, just as a stone does not resist being slinged away. The LORD will afflict them with the terrors of exile. Then they will experience the truth of all the warnings given to them by the LORD.

Upon hearing these words, Jeremiah cringes (Jeremiah 10:19). He makes himself one with those who refuse to listen to his message and are therefore judged. He loves his people so much that he feels God’s judgments on His people pressing down on him like a sickness, which he must bear, with no hope of cure (cf. Nahum 3:19a).

Because of God’s judgment, he lost everything where he found rest and companionship (Jeremiah 10:20). By that can be meant the temple, but also Jerusalem and the whole land. The ropes, the connections, what holds everything together, have been broken. No one has a hold on anything anymore. There is also no one who can effect a change for the better, who can stretch out the tent again and set up the curtains again. No one can restore what has been lost. That great is the devastation and desolation.

Jeremiah does know the cause. The shepherds, the leaders of the people, kings like Jehoiakim and Zedekiah and lower administrators, have not sought the LORD (Jeremiah 10:21). They did not consult Him and then it is impossible to act wisely. Their wrong example has scattered the whole people like a flock. The unity is gone.

The terrifying sound of impending judgment follows (Jeremiah 10:22). Rumor reaches the city that the armies of Babylon have invaded the land in the north. The consequences are clear. They will make the cities of Judah a desolation. People will no longer be able to live there. They will become a haunt of jackals.

Jeremiah 43:6

Exile for Sinful Israel

The tone of the prophet changes again. The LORD calls Jerusalem – “you who dwell under siege” – to prepare for their exile (Jeremiah 10:17; cf. Ezekiel 12:3-16). They should just grab together what they need for the exile. They may feel safe in their fortress, but that is a false sense of security.

The LORD is going to make His people suffer the consequences of their unfaithfulness by slinging them out of the land (Jeremiah 10:18). Their exile to Babylon will take place with the force and speed of a stone being slinged away, without being able to resist it, just as a stone does not resist being slinged away. The LORD will afflict them with the terrors of exile. Then they will experience the truth of all the warnings given to them by the LORD.

Upon hearing these words, Jeremiah cringes (Jeremiah 10:19). He makes himself one with those who refuse to listen to his message and are therefore judged. He loves his people so much that he feels God’s judgments on His people pressing down on him like a sickness, which he must bear, with no hope of cure (cf. Nahum 3:19a).

Because of God’s judgment, he lost everything where he found rest and companionship (Jeremiah 10:20). By that can be meant the temple, but also Jerusalem and the whole land. The ropes, the connections, what holds everything together, have been broken. No one has a hold on anything anymore. There is also no one who can effect a change for the better, who can stretch out the tent again and set up the curtains again. No one can restore what has been lost. That great is the devastation and desolation.

Jeremiah does know the cause. The shepherds, the leaders of the people, kings like Jehoiakim and Zedekiah and lower administrators, have not sought the LORD (Jeremiah 10:21). They did not consult Him and then it is impossible to act wisely. Their wrong example has scattered the whole people like a flock. The unity is gone.

The terrifying sound of impending judgment follows (Jeremiah 10:22). Rumor reaches the city that the armies of Babylon have invaded the land in the north. The consequences are clear. They will make the cities of Judah a desolation. People will no longer be able to live there. They will become a haunt of jackals.

Jeremiah 43:7

Exile for Sinful Israel

The tone of the prophet changes again. The LORD calls Jerusalem – “you who dwell under siege” – to prepare for their exile (Jeremiah 10:17; cf. Ezekiel 12:3-16). They should just grab together what they need for the exile. They may feel safe in their fortress, but that is a false sense of security.

The LORD is going to make His people suffer the consequences of their unfaithfulness by slinging them out of the land (Jeremiah 10:18). Their exile to Babylon will take place with the force and speed of a stone being slinged away, without being able to resist it, just as a stone does not resist being slinged away. The LORD will afflict them with the terrors of exile. Then they will experience the truth of all the warnings given to them by the LORD.

Upon hearing these words, Jeremiah cringes (Jeremiah 10:19). He makes himself one with those who refuse to listen to his message and are therefore judged. He loves his people so much that he feels God’s judgments on His people pressing down on him like a sickness, which he must bear, with no hope of cure (cf. Nahum 3:19a).

Because of God’s judgment, he lost everything where he found rest and companionship (Jeremiah 10:20). By that can be meant the temple, but also Jerusalem and the whole land. The ropes, the connections, what holds everything together, have been broken. No one has a hold on anything anymore. There is also no one who can effect a change for the better, who can stretch out the tent again and set up the curtains again. No one can restore what has been lost. That great is the devastation and desolation.

Jeremiah does know the cause. The shepherds, the leaders of the people, kings like Jehoiakim and Zedekiah and lower administrators, have not sought the LORD (Jeremiah 10:21). They did not consult Him and then it is impossible to act wisely. Their wrong example has scattered the whole people like a flock. The unity is gone.

The terrifying sound of impending judgment follows (Jeremiah 10:22). Rumor reaches the city that the armies of Babylon have invaded the land in the north. The consequences are clear. They will make the cities of Judah a desolation. People will no longer be able to live there. They will become a haunt of jackals.

Jeremiah 43:8

Prayer for the People

Jeremiah, who here makes himself one with the people, expresses that he knows that it is not man who determines his own way, but the LORD (Jeremiah 10:23; Proverbs 20:24; Psalms 37:23; Proverbs 16:9). Man is totally dependent on Him, even if he resists Him. Whoever comes to that understanding and accepts it has found the way back to Him. The result is rest for the soul and trust in Him, while also acknowledging that punishment is deserved.

The realization that God leads and governs all things brings about surrender to Him. It is not meant to eliminate responsibility, but to see that everything is in His hand. He determines the course of events and not man in his rebellion against God’s will. Just as a captain casts his anchor not inside the ship but outside the ship, so man must not expect his salvation from himself but from the Lord. He must not learn the way of men without God (Jeremiah 10:2), but he must learn to walk the way of the Lord.

With the acknowledgment of God’s righteous actions also comes the question of punishment or discipline or correction (Jeremiah 10:24). Again, Jeremiah makes himself one with the people. The question is not asked in pride. It is a question asked in the awareness that if we get what we deserve, there will be nothing left of us. Then we will be at the foundation of grace and we will be able to see His correction as an evidence of grace.

If it is about total judgment, it must be on people who do not know God and do not call upon Him, and who have abused His people (Jeremiah 10:25). If judgment is already so severe on those who are close to Him, how severe must it be on those who reject Him (Proverbs 11:31; cf. 1 Peter 4:17).

Jeremiah 43:9

Prayer for the People

Jeremiah, who here makes himself one with the people, expresses that he knows that it is not man who determines his own way, but the LORD (Jeremiah 10:23; Proverbs 20:24; Psalms 37:23; Proverbs 16:9). Man is totally dependent on Him, even if he resists Him. Whoever comes to that understanding and accepts it has found the way back to Him. The result is rest for the soul and trust in Him, while also acknowledging that punishment is deserved.

The realization that God leads and governs all things brings about surrender to Him. It is not meant to eliminate responsibility, but to see that everything is in His hand. He determines the course of events and not man in his rebellion against God’s will. Just as a captain casts his anchor not inside the ship but outside the ship, so man must not expect his salvation from himself but from the Lord. He must not learn the way of men without God (Jeremiah 10:2), but he must learn to walk the way of the Lord.

With the acknowledgment of God’s righteous actions also comes the question of punishment or discipline or correction (Jeremiah 10:24). Again, Jeremiah makes himself one with the people. The question is not asked in pride. It is a question asked in the awareness that if we get what we deserve, there will be nothing left of us. Then we will be at the foundation of grace and we will be able to see His correction as an evidence of grace.

If it is about total judgment, it must be on people who do not know God and do not call upon Him, and who have abused His people (Jeremiah 10:25). If judgment is already so severe on those who are close to Him, how severe must it be on those who reject Him (Proverbs 11:31; cf. 1 Peter 4:17).

Jeremiah 43:10

Prayer for the People

Jeremiah, who here makes himself one with the people, expresses that he knows that it is not man who determines his own way, but the LORD (Jeremiah 10:23; Proverbs 20:24; Psalms 37:23; Proverbs 16:9). Man is totally dependent on Him, even if he resists Him. Whoever comes to that understanding and accepts it has found the way back to Him. The result is rest for the soul and trust in Him, while also acknowledging that punishment is deserved.

The realization that God leads and governs all things brings about surrender to Him. It is not meant to eliminate responsibility, but to see that everything is in His hand. He determines the course of events and not man in his rebellion against God’s will. Just as a captain casts his anchor not inside the ship but outside the ship, so man must not expect his salvation from himself but from the Lord. He must not learn the way of men without God (Jeremiah 10:2), but he must learn to walk the way of the Lord.

With the acknowledgment of God’s righteous actions also comes the question of punishment or discipline or correction (Jeremiah 10:24). Again, Jeremiah makes himself one with the people. The question is not asked in pride. It is a question asked in the awareness that if we get what we deserve, there will be nothing left of us. Then we will be at the foundation of grace and we will be able to see His correction as an evidence of grace.

If it is about total judgment, it must be on people who do not know God and do not call upon Him, and who have abused His people (Jeremiah 10:25). If judgment is already so severe on those who are close to Him, how severe must it be on those who reject Him (Proverbs 11:31; cf. 1 Peter 4:17).

Jeremiah 43:12

The Breaking of the Covenant

A new word from the LORD comes to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 11:1). The LORD instructs him to “hear the words of this covenant”. By this He refers to His covenant that He gave His people after their exodus from Egypt at Sinai (Exodus 19:5-6; Exodus 24:7; Deuteronomy 29:1). Jeremiah must first listen to this himself. Then he is to address the word to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 11:2). This is the order of God. If He wants us to say something to His people, we can only do so if we have first listened to Him ourselves.

When we think of the call to listen to the covenant, we need not think only of the giving of the law at Sinai. The people had also recently renewed the covenant during the revival under King Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:19; 31-32). Jeremiah is to pronounce the curse on behalf of “the LORD, the God of Israel” on anyone who does not heed the words of the covenant (Jeremiah 11:3; cf. Galatians 3:10; Deuteronomy 28:15-20). These powerful words should bring the people to an inward turn.

The revival of Josiah only produced an outward return among the people and not an inward one. Therefore, Jeremiah must remind the people of what the LORD commanded their fathers when He brought them out “from the iron furnace” of Egypt (Jeremiah 11:4; Deuteronomy 4:20; 1 Kings 8:51). The “iron furnace” emphasizes the horrors they suffered there. After their exodus, He urged them to listen to His voice. This means that they should do all the words that He commanded. If they did, they should be His people and He would be their God (cf. Jeremiah 7:23; Jeremiah 24:7; Jeremiah 32:38). Their connection to Him, and His recognition of them, is dependent on their obedience.

If they were obedient, He would keep the oath He swore to their fathers to give the people “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Jeremiah 11:5; Exodus 3:8). The LORD has brought them there, as they see for themselves, but they have been unfaithful time after time. Therefore, the overflowing riches of the land disappeared. That, too, is the result of what the LORD swore if they were unfaithful.

At the time, the whole people answered the curse time and again with “amen” (Deuteronomy 27:15-26). Here the uttering of “amen” is done by just one man, Jeremiah: “Then I said, “Amen, O LORD.”” There must have been more faithful ones then too, but we only hear it from this one man. It is reminiscent of the days of Elijah who also stood up for the rights of the LORD as a loner, yet there were also seven thousand who did not bow their knees to Baal (1 Kings 19:18). But where are they?

In connection to the command to proclaim and what he should proclaim, the LORD tells Jeremiah to go out now (Jeremiah 11:6). He is to go and proclaim all the words the LORD has told him in Judah and Jerusalem, calling them to obedience to the covenant. Once again the LORD offers the opportunity to hear the words of this covenant and to do what it says.

Jeremiah should add, as an additional exhortation, that the LORD had already warned their fathers severely from the day He brought them up from the land of Egypt (Jeremiah 11:7). He has continued to do so over and over again, “even to this day”, that is, the day He gives the command to Jeremiah. Again and again, persistently, continually He has called them to listen to His voice (Jeremiah 7:13; 25). Unceasingly, He has labored to get them to listen to Him and obey His words. His concern to reach their hearts to bless them is impressive.

Therefore, it is not because of Him that they did not listen (Jeremiah 11:8). They have not even inclined their ear to hear some of His words. They chose to continue in acting according to their stubborn, evil heart. When a person rejects the Lord’s abundant efforts to turn him from his evil ways, it means that he himself is hardening his heart. Because they have shown this hardening, the judgments have come on them.

With “all the words of this covenant” which the LORD has brought upon them, the judgments of the covenant are meant in this context. The LORD is faithful to His covenant, both where blessing is involved in obedience and where judgment is involved in disobedience. Their whole history in the land testifies to their unfaithfulness. It must be said that “they did not” do the words of the covenant to obey the LORD. The judgments that the LORD has had to bring are entirely their own fault.

We are tempted to trust that God is like the modern, indulgent parents who do not punish their children when they disobey. A small reprimand perhaps, but still no harsh disciplinary measures. We are very much mistaken if we think that God is like that. Discipline will surely come if, despite many admonitions, we persist in doing what is evil in His sight.

The LORD informs Jeremiah of “a conspiracy” that He has discovered among the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 11:9). This indicates a secret, organized opposition to Josiah’s reforms. They swore not to keep the renewed covenant and to return to a life of serving idols (Jeremiah 11:10). We can apply that to the effort to bring God’s people back to the idolatry of Rome. It is a conspiracy of the powers of darkness.

The covenant breaking applies to both northern Israel and southern Judah. The LORD speaks of “My covenant”. That is what makes its breaking so bad. The covenant breaking has happened knowingly and is directed against Him. His judgment will come upon it, a calamity from which there will be no escape (Jeremiah 11:11). No matter how severe it will be, the most severe thing is that He will not answer their cry to Him (Jeremiah 7:16). The LORD does not listen to those who deliberately disobey and remain disobedient (Proverbs 1:28-29). Such people do want to be saved, but only out of misery, only to continue with their ungodly lives.

Then, if the LORD does not answer, they will resort to their idols (Jeremiah 11:12). They have honored those gods with their incense offerings. Surely those will help them. But surely those will not be able to help them, despite the fact that they have a huge number of idols (Jeremiah 11:13; Jeremiah 2:28; Deuteronomy 32:37). No matter how many zeros are put in a row, the total number remains zero.

Once again Jeremiah is forbidden to pray for the people (Jeremiah 11:14; Jeremiah 7:16). It does show how hopeless the condition of the people is when the LORD forbids intercession for them. He has given them over to their wrong thinking and they will eat the fruit of their own actions.

Jeremiah 43:13

The Breaking of the Covenant

A new word from the LORD comes to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 11:1). The LORD instructs him to “hear the words of this covenant”. By this He refers to His covenant that He gave His people after their exodus from Egypt at Sinai (Exodus 19:5-6; Exodus 24:7; Deuteronomy 29:1). Jeremiah must first listen to this himself. Then he is to address the word to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 11:2). This is the order of God. If He wants us to say something to His people, we can only do so if we have first listened to Him ourselves.

When we think of the call to listen to the covenant, we need not think only of the giving of the law at Sinai. The people had also recently renewed the covenant during the revival under King Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:19; 31-32). Jeremiah is to pronounce the curse on behalf of “the LORD, the God of Israel” on anyone who does not heed the words of the covenant (Jeremiah 11:3; cf. Galatians 3:10; Deuteronomy 28:15-20). These powerful words should bring the people to an inward turn.

The revival of Josiah only produced an outward return among the people and not an inward one. Therefore, Jeremiah must remind the people of what the LORD commanded their fathers when He brought them out “from the iron furnace” of Egypt (Jeremiah 11:4; Deuteronomy 4:20; 1 Kings 8:51). The “iron furnace” emphasizes the horrors they suffered there. After their exodus, He urged them to listen to His voice. This means that they should do all the words that He commanded. If they did, they should be His people and He would be their God (cf. Jeremiah 7:23; Jeremiah 24:7; Jeremiah 32:38). Their connection to Him, and His recognition of them, is dependent on their obedience.

If they were obedient, He would keep the oath He swore to their fathers to give the people “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Jeremiah 11:5; Exodus 3:8). The LORD has brought them there, as they see for themselves, but they have been unfaithful time after time. Therefore, the overflowing riches of the land disappeared. That, too, is the result of what the LORD swore if they were unfaithful.

At the time, the whole people answered the curse time and again with “amen” (Deuteronomy 27:15-26). Here the uttering of “amen” is done by just one man, Jeremiah: “Then I said, “Amen, O LORD.”” There must have been more faithful ones then too, but we only hear it from this one man. It is reminiscent of the days of Elijah who also stood up for the rights of the LORD as a loner, yet there were also seven thousand who did not bow their knees to Baal (1 Kings 19:18). But where are they?

In connection to the command to proclaim and what he should proclaim, the LORD tells Jeremiah to go out now (Jeremiah 11:6). He is to go and proclaim all the words the LORD has told him in Judah and Jerusalem, calling them to obedience to the covenant. Once again the LORD offers the opportunity to hear the words of this covenant and to do what it says.

Jeremiah should add, as an additional exhortation, that the LORD had already warned their fathers severely from the day He brought them up from the land of Egypt (Jeremiah 11:7). He has continued to do so over and over again, “even to this day”, that is, the day He gives the command to Jeremiah. Again and again, persistently, continually He has called them to listen to His voice (Jeremiah 7:13; 25). Unceasingly, He has labored to get them to listen to Him and obey His words. His concern to reach their hearts to bless them is impressive.

Therefore, it is not because of Him that they did not listen (Jeremiah 11:8). They have not even inclined their ear to hear some of His words. They chose to continue in acting according to their stubborn, evil heart. When a person rejects the Lord’s abundant efforts to turn him from his evil ways, it means that he himself is hardening his heart. Because they have shown this hardening, the judgments have come on them.

With “all the words of this covenant” which the LORD has brought upon them, the judgments of the covenant are meant in this context. The LORD is faithful to His covenant, both where blessing is involved in obedience and where judgment is involved in disobedience. Their whole history in the land testifies to their unfaithfulness. It must be said that “they did not” do the words of the covenant to obey the LORD. The judgments that the LORD has had to bring are entirely their own fault.

We are tempted to trust that God is like the modern, indulgent parents who do not punish their children when they disobey. A small reprimand perhaps, but still no harsh disciplinary measures. We are very much mistaken if we think that God is like that. Discipline will surely come if, despite many admonitions, we persist in doing what is evil in His sight.

The LORD informs Jeremiah of “a conspiracy” that He has discovered among the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 11:9). This indicates a secret, organized opposition to Josiah’s reforms. They swore not to keep the renewed covenant and to return to a life of serving idols (Jeremiah 11:10). We can apply that to the effort to bring God’s people back to the idolatry of Rome. It is a conspiracy of the powers of darkness.

The covenant breaking applies to both northern Israel and southern Judah. The LORD speaks of “My covenant”. That is what makes its breaking so bad. The covenant breaking has happened knowingly and is directed against Him. His judgment will come upon it, a calamity from which there will be no escape (Jeremiah 11:11). No matter how severe it will be, the most severe thing is that He will not answer their cry to Him (Jeremiah 7:16). The LORD does not listen to those who deliberately disobey and remain disobedient (Proverbs 1:28-29). Such people do want to be saved, but only out of misery, only to continue with their ungodly lives.

Then, if the LORD does not answer, they will resort to their idols (Jeremiah 11:12). They have honored those gods with their incense offerings. Surely those will help them. But surely those will not be able to help them, despite the fact that they have a huge number of idols (Jeremiah 11:13; Jeremiah 2:28; Deuteronomy 32:37). No matter how many zeros are put in a row, the total number remains zero.

Once again Jeremiah is forbidden to pray for the people (Jeremiah 11:14; Jeremiah 7:16). It does show how hopeless the condition of the people is when the LORD forbids intercession for them. He has given them over to their wrong thinking and they will eat the fruit of their own actions.