With a broken heart, Jeremiah begged God’s people to repent or face God’s judgment at the hands of Babylon. When they would not return to the LORD, he angered them by telling them to surrender. He was threatened, tried for his life, put in stocks, and thrown into a pit. His book was burned. He also promised future hope and a new covenant. Through it all, he persevered by faith!
Jeremiah 11-15 Broken Promises & Shattered Pride
The people of Judah failed to keep the covenant they had made with Yahweh (the LORD), and they had instead put confidence in themselves and pagan gods. As a result, they would pay the price of disobedience. Yet Yahweh would never fail to keep His word.
Covenant Conditions & Consequences – Deut 27-34
Long ago, in the time of Moses, God had actually predicted the conditions and consequences that Jeremiah described. For the background, read Deut 27-34. Here are a couple of excerpts.
Dt 28:36 “The LORD will bring you and your king, whom you set over you, to a nation which neither you nor your fathers have known, and there you shall serve other gods, wood and stone. 37 You shall become a horror, a proverb, and a taunt among all the people where the LORD drives you.”
Dt 28:49 “The LORD will bring a nation against you from afar, from the end of the earth, as the eagle swoops down, a nation whose language you shall not understand, 50 a nation of fierce countenance … no respect for the old, nor show favor to the young.”
Dt 29:22-28 “Why has the LORD done thus to this land?” … “they forsook the covenant … served and worshiped other gods …”
Now let’s outline these chapters.
Jer 11 Conspiracy
11:1-8 Conspiracy Against God’s Covenant
Reminder of the post-Egypt curses, threats, and warnings.
11:9-17 Conspiracy Against God’s Control
10 Like father, like son. Refuse to hear. Pursue other gods.
13 Your gods / idols are as many as your cities / streets.
14 Do not pray for them. I will not listen.
11:18-23 Conspiracy Against God’s Courier
19 Jeremiah a gentle lamb led to slaughter (cf. Isa 53:7).
21-23 Death threats even in Anathoth, his hometown.
Jer 12 Consternation
12:1-4 Jeremiah’s Protest
How can You allow the wicked to prosper?
2b … You are near to their lips but far from their mind.
12:5-17 Yahweh’s Response
5-6 Can’t handle the heat thus far? It will get worse!
7-13 I have abandoned My house, inheritance, and land.
14-17 I will also uproot Israel’s foes unless they repent.
Jer 13 Comparisons
13:1-11 The Parable of the Marred Waistband
13:12-14 The Parable of the Staggering Drunkards
13:15-17 The Parable of the Stumbling Traveler
13:18-21 The Parable of the Royal Family
King Jehoiachin and his mother Nehushta, exiled by Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kg 24:8-12) after only three months on the throne in Jerusalem.
13:22-27 The Parable of the Exposed Prostitute
23 “Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then you also can do good who are accustomed to doing evil.”
Jer 14 Calamity
14:1-6 The Plight of the Land
Drought. Dry cisterns, cracked ground, starving animals.
14:7-9 The Plea of the People
Not because of our behavior, but because of Your name!
14:10-12 The Point of No Return
14:13-18 The Protest of the Prophet
Regarding false prophets who deny impending judgment.
14:19-22 The Prayer of the Prophet
Don’t hate us; heal us! We confess sin & hope only in You!
Jer 15 Condemnation
15:1-9 Judah’s Penalty
Yahweh answers, “No! Not even for Moses and Samuel!”
Manasseh (696–642 BC): tipping point. Read 2 Kg 21.
Winnowing fork: Is 41:16; Jer 51:2; Matt 3:12; Ps 1:4.
15:10-18 Jeremiah’s Pain
Sorrow re: his birth, rejection, unjust suffering.
15 “Remember me! For Your sake I endure reproach.”
15:19-21 Yahweh’s Promise
“Jeremiah, return to your job, and I will restore you!”
