The Book of Jeremiah
Lesson 6
Jeremiah 11– 12
Introduction
Judah had become a nation of lies; so much so that no one could trust another, not even their own family. Lying is also an abomination just like idolatry, and God punishes both equally. Jeremiah shows the futility of idols, that they are human made with no power; yet the people turned to idols instead of the God who made heaven and earth. Because of these sins/abominations, the nation will be punished by being destroyed; but in the midst of the destruction, there will be those who will be scattered among the nations.
I. What is the conspiracy among the people?
a) We remember that we began looking at 2 Kings 22 where under King Josiah, the priests found the book of the law. Scholars believe this was a scroll of Deuteronomy because of the way Deut. speaks of the covenantal relationship between God and the people. Deut. also sets a series of blessings and curses in relation to the law. By following the law, you will be blessed; by disobeying the law you will be cursed (Deut. 26: 19, 26).
b) Jeremiah begins chapter 11 by speaking of the covenant with God and pronouncing a curse on those who do not keep the covenant (11:3). God reminds the people of the covenant that their ancestors swore with God when they came out of Egypt, and that if they obeyed the covenant God would give them a land flowing with milk and honey (11:4-5). God warned the people to obey the covenant, yet they did not incline their ears to God (11:8).
c) “And the LORD said to me: Conspiracy exists among the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem (11:9).” A conspiracy exists when a group of people plot or conspire to commit an act. In this case, the nation has conspired against God to break the covenant and to worship idols (11:10). “Therefore, thus says the LORD, assuredly I am going to bring disaster upon them that they cannot escape; though they cry out to me, I will not listen to them (11:11).” The LORD judges righteously (v. 20); “therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: I am going to punish them; the young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine; and not even a remnant shall be left of them. For I will bring disaster upon the people of Anathoth, the year of their punishment (11:22-23).”
II. Why does the way of the guilty prosper?
a) There is a threat against Jeremiah’s life by members of his own family. He is from the town of Anathoth (1:1). Jeremiah says, “But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter. And I did not know it was against me that they devised schemes, saying, ‘Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, let us cut him off from the land of the living, so that his name will no longer be remembered’ (11:19)!” To this scheme God will punish the people of Anathoth (11:21-23).
b) The plot against him causes Jeremiah to question God. Jeremiah acknowledges that God judges righteously (11:20, 12:1), but Jeremiah still has a question: “Why does the way of the guilty prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive (12:1)?” Jeremiah lays this charge against God; he says, “You plant them, and they take root; they grow and bring forth fruit; you are near in their mouths yet far from their hearts (12:2).” Jeremiah believes that God allows the wicked to prosper since … “You plant them….” This is a direct challenge to Psalm 1 where the righteous prosper and the wicked “… are like chaff that the wind drives away (Ps. 1:4).” Jeremiah pleads with God, “Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and set them apart for the day of slaughter. (12:3).”
c) However, God’s response to Jeremiah is not helpful. God says, “If you have raced with foot-runners and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you fall down, how will you fare in the thickets of the Jordan (12:5)?” What God is saying to Jeremiah is that it’s going to get worse; or, to use a modern idiom: you ain’t seen nothing yet.
d) Questioning why the wicked prosper is the question of Psalm 10, of the Book of Job, and of Jeremiah here; and I’m sure you have asked this question as well. I will first say that God has no responsibility to answer us which is why God’s answer to Jeremiah seems to be no answer at all. There is no good answer to why there is evil in the world; but Jeremiah will revisit this question again.
III. Why will God pluck up the people?
a) “I have forsaken my house, I have abandoned my heritage; I have given the beloved of my heart into the hands of her enemies (12:7).” Previously we talked about the false sense of security Judah had, but not only has God forsaken (abandoned) God’s house, God has also abandoned God’s heritage. God’s heritage – or inheritance – is God’s people Judah. The language of God’s abandonment is strong (12:8).
b) God’s inheritance – or Judah’s (and also Israel) in this case – is also the land; the land that God swore to their father Abraham. The land that God promised them; the land that would flow with milk and honey. The people were to live in the land forever and worship God forever. However, not just the people, but the shepherds have led the people into making the land desolate because of their abominations (12:10-11).
c) In punishment of this, God will destroy the nation, and no one is safe (12:12). Yet, in the midst of this destruction, God will pluck out the people from the land (12:14-15). Like last week, this is a prophecy of the exile.
Next Week: Jeremiah 13 – 15
Questions for the week:
1. What is the meaning of the loin cloth?
2. Why has Judah’s skirt been lifted?
3. Why is Jeremiah told not to pray for the people?