In the last post we covered chapters 7-10, but I focused
mainly on Jeremiah’s Temple sermon and its impact on him as God’s chosen
prophet for this time in Judah’s History.
This post will cover Chapters 11-15 and again I will focus on a main
topic, this time being “the broken covenant”.
You probably have noticed by now that Jeremiah uses a
variety of writing styles, many of which are in these five chapters. His sermons seem to portray a powerful
preaching style, displaying much emotion.
His writings at times are in the form of poetry. And when he is merely speaking of thoughts or
events, his words are of a remorseful tone.
Additionally, he speaks using symbolism such as his reference to a
speckled bird, a linen waist cloth, and a wine jar. One may reflect on these different speaking
and writing styles, but I wouldn’t over-think it too much. I submit that Jeremiah is trying everything
in his speaking arsenal to make these stubborn Israelites understand what he is
trying to warn them against.
Chapter 11:1-17
– The Covenant Has Been Broken
He begins chapter 11 with the phrase, “This is the word that
came to Jeremiah from the Lord”. He says
this a number of times in this book, and it always means he is starting another
subject. Jeremiah is telling what God
said to him. God is upset with Judah for
breaking the covenant God had made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is the covenant as written in the book of
Deuteronomy. We know this because of the
timing of Jeremiah’s ministry. Remember,
King Josiah made Godly reforms in Judah and Jerusalem, especially dealing with
the Temple. When he had the Temple
cleaned up, the book of Deuteronomy was found in it, after having been
forgotten about for centuries. Josiah,
Jehoiakim, Jeremiah, and all of the Temple priests and scribes have made all of
Judah aware of the covenant as written in Deuteronomy. Judah could not claim ignorance as an excuse
for disregarding God’s commandments and statutes. If one looks at the Old Testament as a whole,
he would conclude that the covenants were the predominant theme. There were two main covenants: The covenant God made with Abraham and the
covenant God made with David.
{Briefly, about covenants:
A covenant is a binding agreement (contract) between two or more
parties. A covenant basically says “if
you do this, I will do that”. In the
Scriptures there are two kinds of covenants mentioned. One was between two parties of equal rank or
authority, as in a business contract.
The other was between two parties that were not of the same rank and
authority, such as between the victor and the defeated. This second one is commonly referred to as a
“unilateral covenant”. The breaking of a
covenant always resulted in punishment.
God was always careful when He spoke of His covenant with Israel, making
certain that the people were made aware in no uncertain terms what the
punishment would be if they did not abide by the statutes of the covenant. God has throughout the Old Testament exercised
patience and mercy with Abraham’s descendants, but we see in these chapters
that His patience has finally run out.}
Now, back to the Scripture.
God told Jeremiah (verse 7-8) “I’ve warned them again and again, saying,
‘obey me’. But they did not listen or
pay attention”. God goes on to speak
harsh words concerning the Israelites worshiping other gods. Then in verse 14 He instructs Jeremiah not to
pray for these people, because He will not listen.
Chapter 11:18-12:17 – The People Plot Against Jeremiah
Verse 17 is the end of God speaking about the covenant being
disrespected. Now, in verse 18 of
chapter 11, Jeremiah speaks and he is fearful because there is a plot against
him by the people of Anathoth (Jeremiah’s home town). They actually want to kill him and Jeremiah
is fearful for his life, therefore appeals to God. Jeremiah is frustrated with life’s
circumstances and asks for understanding from God. God responds somewhat indirectly as the
verses 12:17 are written in poetic form.
God assures Jeremiah that punishment will be certain to come against all
of the ungodly, including those who have plotted against His spokesman.
Chapter 13 - The Linen Waist Cloth and Symbolism
God instructs Jeremiah in these verses so as to further make
the point to Judah about their ungodliness, knowing it will not make any
difference. God knows their hearts and
He realizes nothing will make this generation of Israelites repent. He instructs Jeremiah to buy a waist cloth (a
white undergarment). He was to wear it
and take it to the Euphrates River, a very long distance, where he was to hide
it. Later, God told Jeremiah to retrieve
the waist cloth. When he did, it was ragged
and useless. God told him that it
represents the people of Judah, filthy and useless since they would not repent.
The people had been so sinful and so ungodly for so long that they were incapable
of repenting because they preferred sin as a way of life. God further indicated the hopelessness of the
people when He said in verse 23,”Can an Ethiopian (Dark African) change his
skin or a leopard his spots? Neither can
you do good who are accustomed to doing evil”.
14:1-15:9 - The Hopelessness of Israel and Judah
Jeremiah waxes poetic again as he writes chapters 14 and
15. It is written much like a dark
psalm. He poetically laments and mourns
for his brethren, as he now is certain of their fate. If God says they will not save themselves,
then Jeremiah is convinced of it also.
He says in verse 11 that God told him not to waste his time praying for
these people, as their fate is sealed. Let’s
look at the first verse of chapter 15.
It says that even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before God in behalf
of these people, it would do no good.
(Remember, these two men interceded for the people many times, and with
a great deal of success.) God goes on to
say in verse three of chapter 15 that He will send four kinds of destroyers
against the people of Judah: The sword
to kill, dogs to drag the carcasses away, and birds and other wild animals to
devour and destroy their bodies.
Next Post: Jeremiah’s
Personal Struggles
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