Jeremiah 11

The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,

“Hear the words of this covenant, and speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem;

and say to them, the LORD, the God of Israel says: ‘Cursed is the man who doesn’t hear the words of this covenant,

which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace,’ saying, ‘Obey my voice and do them, according to all which I command you; so you shall be my people, and I will be your God;

that I may establish the oath which I swore to your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey,’ as it is today.” Then I answered, and said, “Amen, LORD.”

The LORD said to me, “Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Hear the words of this covenant, and do them.

For I earnestly protested to your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even to this day, rising early and protesting, saying, “Obey my voice.”

Yet they didn’t obey, nor turn their ear, but everyone walked in the stubbornness of their evil heart. Therefore I brought on them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but they didn’t do them.’”

The LORD said to me, “A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

They have turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, who refused to hear my words. They have gone after other gods to serve them. The house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.

Therefore the LORD says, ‘Behold, I will bring evil on them which they will not be able to escape; and they will cry to me, but I will not listen to them.

Then the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will go and cry to the gods to which they offer incense, but they will not save them at all in the time of their trouble.

For according to the number of your cities are your gods, Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem you have set up altars to the shameful thing, even altars to burn incense to Baal.’

“Therefore don’t pray for this people. Don’t lift up cry or prayer for them; for I will not hear them in the time that they cry to me because of their trouble.

What has my beloved to do in my house, since she has behaved lewdly with many, and the holy flesh has passed from you? When you do evil, then you rejoice.”

The LORD called your name, “A green olive tree, beautiful with goodly fruit.” With the noise of a great roar he has kindled fire on it, and its branches are broken.

For the LORD of Armies, who planted you, has pronounced evil against you, because of the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done to themselves in provoking me to anger by offering incense to Baal.

The LORD gave me knowledge of it, and I knew it. Then you showed me their doings.

But I was like a gentle lamb that is led to the slaughter. I didn’t know that they had devised plans against me, saying, “Let’s destroy the tree with its fruit, and let’s cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.”

But, LORD of Armies, who judges righteously, who tests the heart and the mind, I will see your vengeance on them; for to you I have revealed my cause.

“Therefore the LORD says concerning the men of Anathoth, who seek your life, saying, ‘You shall not prophesy in the LORD’s name, that you not die by our hand’—

therefore the LORD of Armies says, ‘Behold, I will punish them. The young men will die by the sword. Their sons and their daughters will die by famine.

There will be no remnant to them, for I will bring evil on the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation.’”

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview. This chapter centers on the renewal and violation of the covenant between God and Judah, emphasizing the irrevocable breach caused by persistent idolatry and rebellion. Jeremiah is instructed to proclaim the terms of the covenant—rooted in God’s redemptive act of bringing Israel out of Egypt—and to expose the people’s refusal to obey despite sustained divine warnings. The chapter shifts from covenant obligation to solemn judgment, highlighting both national apostasy and the personal danger the prophet faces from his own town, Anathoth.

Flow.

Jeremiah receives a divine command to declare the covenant’s blessings and curses to Judah and Jerusalem, recalling God’s oath to give the land flowing with milk and honey (vv. 1–5).
The people’s historical defiance is detailed: though God persistently called them to obedience, they hardened their hearts and abandoned His commands (vv. 6–8).
Their apostasy is identified as a conspiracy—they have returned to ancestral idolatry and broken the covenant, provoking God’s judgment (vv. 9–13).
The prophet is told not to intercede, as God will not hear; the people’s false gods will fail them (v. 14), and Judah’s treachery in the Temple itself is condemned (v. 15).
Using the metaphor of a destroyed olive tree, God announces the coming judgment on His once-favored people (v. 16), and Jeremiah learns of a plot on his life, which he entrusts to God’s justice (vv. 17–23).

Connections. Following chapter 10, which contrasts the living God with lifeless idols, chapter 11 deepens the critique by showing Judah’s practical idolatry despite covenant knowledge. The people’s worship of Baal and multiplication of altars (v. 13) answers the rhetorical questions of chapter 10 about the futility of false gods. This chapter also sets up chapter 12, where Jeremiah’s personal anguish over the plot against him (v. 21) leads to a broader dialogue with God about the prosperity of the wicked and the righteous sufferer—a tension introduced here as Jeremiah experiences betrayal for faithful proclamation.

What it teaches. This chapter affirms the seriousness of the covenant bond and the inevitability of judgment for its breach. God’s relationship with Israel is not unconditional; obedience is required to enjoy covenant blessings (WCF 7.1, 19.1). The people’s idolatry and refusal to heed repeated warnings demonstrate the hardness of heart that leads to divine withdrawal of mercy (HC LD 50, Q&A 124). The command not to pray for them (v. 14) reflects God’s solemn determination in judgment, consistent with His holiness and justice (WCF 3.7). Yet God remains the just judge who hears the cry of the oppressed prophet (v. 20), affirming that vengeance belongs to Him (WCF 20.4).

Apply. When faithfulness to God’s Word brings hostility, entrust the outcome to the righteous Judge who sees all conspiracies and upholds His servants.

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