Read & explore together
A Call to Repentance
Jeremiah 3:11–25 is a prophetic call to return to Yahweh. It speaks plainly about sin, repeats Yahweh’s invitation to return, and ends with words of confession that say true salvation is found in Yahweh alone.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this passage, Yahweh compares backsliding Israel and treacherous Judah, then sends a message calling Israel to return. He tells what must be acknowledged, promises gathering and guidance, and includes both Yahweh’s appeal and the people’s answering confession of sin and need.
Jeremiah 3:11–25Main takeaway
This passage teaches that Yahweh calls his people to return by admitting their sin and confessing that help and salvation are in him alone.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Return because Yahweh is mercifulYahweh says backsliding Israel appears more righteous than treacherous Judah, yet he still sends a message calling Israel to return.
Explanation
Yahweh says backsliding Israel appears more righteous than treacherous Judah, yet he still sends a message calling Israel to return. The call is grounded in Yahweh’s character. He says he is merciful and will not keep anger forever. Mercy is not denial of sin, but the reason return is still invited.
02Return by acknowledging sinYahweh says the people must acknowledge their iniquity. Their sin is described as transgressing against Yahweh, scattering their ways to strangers under every green tree, and not obeying his voice.
Explanation
Yahweh says the people must acknowledge their iniquity. Their sin is described as transgressing against Yahweh, scattering their ways to strangers under every green tree, and not obeying his voice. He again says, “Return,” and adds, “I am a husband to you,” before promising to bring some of them to Zion.
03A future of guidance and gatheringYahweh promises shepherds according to his heart who will feed the people with knowledge and understanding.
Explanation
Yahweh promises shepherds according to his heart who will feed the people with knowledge and understanding. He also describes a future when the ark is no longer the focus, Jerusalem is called “Yahweh’s Throne”, nations gather there, evil stubbornness stops, and Judah and Israel come together to the land given as an inheritance.
04Confession: help from Yahweh aloneYahweh says he desired a faithful people who would call him “My Father”, yet Israel dealt treacherously with him.
Explanation
Yahweh says he desired a faithful people who would call him “My Father”, yet Israel dealt treacherously with him. The passage closes with weeping, a call to return, and a confession: help from the hills is vain, salvation is in Yahweh, shame covers them, and they have sinned from youth to this day.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What reason does Yahweh give for calling Israel to return?
Focus on what Yahweh says about his own mercy and anger.
02What does Yahweh say the people must acknowledge about their sin?
List the actions named in the passage, including transgression and disobedience.
03What do the closing verses say is vain, and where do they say salvation is found?
Compare the statement about the hills and mountains with the confession about Yahweh.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Jeremiah 3:11–25
11Yahweh said to me, “Backsliding Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah.
12Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, ‘Return, you backsliding Israel,’ says Yahweh; ‘I will not look in anger on you, for I am merciful,’ says Yahweh. ‘I will not keep anger forever.
13Only acknowledge your iniquity, that you have transgressed against Yahweh your God, and have scattered your ways to the strangers under every green tree, and you have not obeyed my voice,’ ” says Yahweh.
14“Return, backsliding children,” says Yahweh, “for I am a husband to you. I will take one of you from a city, and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.
15I will give you shepherds according to my heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.
16It will come to pass, when you are multiplied and increased in the land in those days,” says Yahweh, “they will no longer say, ‘the ark of Yahweh’s covenant!’ It will not come to mind. They won’t remember it. They won’t miss it, nor will another be made.
17At that time they will call Jerusalem ‘Yahweh’s Throne;’ and all the nations will be gathered to it, to Yahweh’s name, to Jerusalem. They will no longer walk after the stubbornness of their evil heart.
18In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together out of the land of the north to the land that I gave for an inheritance to your fathers.
19“But I said, ‘How I desire to put you among the children, and give you a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the armies of the nations!’ and I said, ‘You shall call me “My Father”, and shall not turn away from following me.’
20“Surely as a wife treacherously departs from her husband, so you have dealt treacherously with me, house of Israel,” says Yahweh.
21A voice is heard on the bare heights, the weeping and the petitions of the children of Israel; because they have perverted their way, they have forgotten Yahweh their God.
22Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backsliding. “Behold, we have come to you; for you are Yahweh our God.
23Truly help from the hills, the tumult on the mountains, is in vain. Truly the salvation of Israel is in Yahweh our God.
24But the shameful thing has devoured the labor of our fathers from our youth, their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters.
25Let us lie down in our shame, and let our confusion cover us; for we have sinned against Yahweh our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even to this day. We have not obeyed Yahweh our God’s voice.”