Read & explore together
The Broken Covenant
Jeremiah 11:1–17 is a serious message about God’s covenant with Judah and Jerusalem. The passage repeats the call to hear and obey, then shows how deeply the people have broken that covenant by turning to other gods.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this passage, Yahweh tells Jeremiah to speak the words of the covenant to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The message looks back to what God commanded when he brought their fathers out of Egypt, and it explains why judgement is coming now. Jeremiah answers, “Amen, Yahweh.”
Jeremiah 11:1–17Main takeaway
Jeremiah 11:1–17 teaches that breaking God’s covenant by refusing his words and serving other gods brings guilt and judgement, not rescue.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The covenant is to be heard and obeyedYahweh tells Jeremiah to speak “the words of this covenant” to Judah and Jerusalem. The covenant includes a warning and a call: the one who does not hear is cursed, and the people are to obey God’s voice and do what he commands.
Explanation
Yahweh tells Jeremiah to speak “the words of this covenant” to Judah and Jerusalem. The covenant includes a warning and a call: the one who does not hear is cursed, and the people are to obey God’s voice and do what he commands. God also reminds them that he brought their fathers out of Egypt.
02A long refusal to listenJeremiah must proclaim the covenant publicly in Judah and Jerusalem. Yahweh says he had earnestly warned their fathers from the day he brought them out of Egypt, saying, “Obey my voice.”
Explanation
Jeremiah must proclaim the covenant publicly in Judah and Jerusalem. Yahweh says he had earnestly warned their fathers from the day he brought them out of Egypt, saying, “Obey my voice.” Yet they did not obey or listen. Instead, each person walked in the stubbornness of an evil heart, so the covenant words came upon them.
03Broken covenant and powerless godsYahweh says there is a conspiracy among the people. They have returned to the sins of their forefathers, refused God’s words, and served other gods.
Explanation
Yahweh says there is a conspiracy among the people. They have returned to the sins of their forefathers, refused God’s words, and served other gods. Both Israel and Judah have broken the covenant. Trouble will come, and neither their cries to Yahweh nor their prayers to the gods they worship will save them.
04From beloved tree to broken branchesThe passage becomes vivid in its pictures. God tells Jeremiah not to pray for the people because he will not hear them in their trouble.
Explanation
The passage becomes vivid in its pictures. God tells Jeremiah not to pray for the people because he will not hear them in their trouble. He speaks of his beloved acting wrongly, then compares the people to a green olive tree once beautiful and fruitful. Now fire is kindled on it and its branches are broken because they offered incense to Baal.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does this passage say the covenant required from the people?
Look for the repeated commands about hearing God’s words, obeying his voice, and doing what he commanded.
02How does the passage describe the people’s response to God’s warnings?
Notice the contrast between God’s repeated protest and the people’s refusal to obey or listen.
03Which images in the last part of the passage show the seriousness of Judah’s sin and judgement?
Consider both the language about God’s house and the picture of the olive tree with broken branches.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Jeremiah 11:1–17
1The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying,
2“Hear the words of this covenant, and speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem;
3and say to them, Yahweh, the God of Israel says: ‘Cursed is the man who doesn’t hear the words of this covenant,
4which 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;
5that 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, Yahweh.”
6Yahweh 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.
7For 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.”
8Yet 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.’ ”
9Yahweh said to me, “A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
10They 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.
11Therefore Yahweh 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.
12Then 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.
13For 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.’
14“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.
15What 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.”
16Yahweh 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.
17For Yahweh 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.