SCRIPTURE: JEREMIAH 11
THE COVENANT IS BROKEN (vs. 1-17)
The Lord told Jeremiah that curse will be upon the people of Judah for disobeying the terms of covenant with God. They followed their stubborn and evil hearts by following and serving other gods They also brought sacrifices to Baal. Since the covenant was broken, God will bring on them disaster they cannot escape. He will not listen to their cry anymore. He told Jeremiah not to pray for this people or offer any plea & petition for them.
PLOT AGAINST JEREMIAH (vs. 18-23)
The men of Anathoth had plotted against Jeremiah to cut him off from the land of the living so that his name will never be remembered. Jeremiah pleaded the Lord to judge them and do the vengeance for him. God promised to punish them. Their young men will die by sword and their sons and daughters by famine. Not even a remnant will be left for the men of Anathoth.
THOUGHTS:
The Lord reminded his people of their deliverance from Egypt and the covenant he made with them at Mt. Sinai. He reminded them of his grace in giving them the Promised Land. Israel accepted the covenant but they disobeyed the law of God. The new generation entered the land but turned to worship idols. Jeremiah tried to remind the people but instead of listening to him, they planned to silence him with a plot to slay him. But God defended Jeremiah.
Since the people were unrepentant and continued in their sins, God told Jeremiah not to pray for them because He won’t listen. God is just, so that he must dispense justice. Prayers will never prevent God’s judgment. Only repentance – sorrow for sin and turning to God can stop God’s judgment. So, commit your life to God first before you can receive God’s help and blessings.
When the people wanted to kill Jeremiah, he had two options; run and hide or call on God. Jeremiah called and God answered. Similarly, when you face opposition, you can either run and hide or call on God. What will you choose between the two?