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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Jeremiah 11:1 - 11:8
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Reminder of the Covenant Between Jehovah and His People
v. 1. The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, an express message from Jehovah, the God of the covenant, saying,
v. 2. Hear ye the words of this covenant, hearkening to them in willing obedience, and speak unto the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Jeremiah here being reminded of the duty which was incumbent upon all prophets of the Lord,
v. 3. and say unto them, in calling to remembrance the awful curse found in the books of Moses, in the proclamation of the covenant, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant, Deu_27:26,
v. 4. which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, Egypt being called thus on account of the severe afflictions which came upon the children of Israel during the last period of their sojourn there, Cf Deu_4:20, saying, Obey My voice and do them, namely, the words of the covenant, according to all which I command you; so shall ye be My people, and I will be your God, Cf Deu_29:12; Exo_6:7; Lev_26:12; Deu_7:6,
v. 5. that I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, the special promises given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Deu_7:8, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day, this beautiful and rich land being still in the possession of the children of Judah. Then answered I, after the manner of the people when they pronounced the will of the Lord antiphonally, Deu_27:15-22, and said, So be it, O Lord, literally, "Amen, Jehovah. "
v. 6. Then the Lord said unto me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, on a journey through the entire country, but especially in the capital city, saying, Hear ye the words of this covenant, of the Law as it was originally proclaimed and still remained in force, and do them, for it is not a mere external hearing of His Word which satisfies the Lord, but only the acceptance of faith and a consequent doing of His will.
v. 7. For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, when the covenant of Mount Sinai was made, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, with all zeal and vehemence, saying, Obey My voice. Cf Deu_30:19; Psa_50:7.
v. 8. Yet they obeyed not nor inclined their ear, did not even make an attempt to give heed, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart, in wicked stubbornness; therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, all the punishments threatened to the transgressors in the special curses pronounced in the proclamation of the Law, which I commanded them to do, but they did them not. The Lord is ever ready to show long-suffering and loving-kindness, but in the end He is bound to punish the obstinate transgressors of His holy will.