[:en]SCRIPTURE: JEREMIAH 11
“From the time I brought your forefathers up from Egypt until today, I warned them again and again, saying’ Obey me”. 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 have commanded them to follow but that they did not keep” (Jeremiah 11:7-8)
“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” (Jeremiah 11:14)
“I had been like a 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 fruits; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name be remembered no more’. 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” (Jeremiah 11:19-20)
The Lord reminded His people of their deliverance from Egypt and the covenant He made with them at Sinai. He reminded them of His fulfilled promise of giving them a land flowing with milk and honey.
Israel accepted the covenant but disobeyed God’s law. The new generation turned to idols. They provoked God by burning incense to Baal. Therefore, the Lord will bring disaster upon them where idols cannot save them. Because Jeremiah was bold in preaching god’s word, they plotted to kill him. But God defended him. He will punished them with sword and famine.[:]