This section begins with the Lord reaffirming the terms of the covenant made at Sinai. He then reminds the people that when their fathers broke the covenant, they incurred the curses. Similarly, now that the current generation is likewise breaking the terms of the covenant, they too will bring the curses upon themselves.
Reaffirmation of the Deuteronomic Covenant (Jer 11:1-5)
Covenant Breaking and the Resulting Curse in the Past Generations (Jer 11:6-8)
Covenant Breaking and the Resulting Curse in the Current Generation (Jer 11:9-14)
First Confession: Jeremiah's Complaint and Response (Jer 11:18-12:6)
This is often called the first of Jeremiah's "Confessions," where the prophet voices his complaints to God. It consists of two sections that follow an identical pattern: 1) Jeremiah's complaint to the Lord over the wickedness around him, 2) a prayer for deliverance from his enemies, and 3) the Lord's response to his prayer.
Following a similar pattern of complaint/response seen in the previous section, here we see, in detail, the Lord's own grief over the sin of His people. The response is the Lord's own word in the form of an oracle of divine judgment and restoration.
A Living Parable: The Linen Waistcloth (Jer 13:1-11)
This passage contains a symbolic act where Jeremiah hides a clean loincloth by the river Euphrates. When he retrieves it, it has become spoiled. This is to show that Israel and Judah once clung closely to the Lord, but have become spoiled through the worship of foreign idols outside the land.
Parable of the Wine Jars (Jer 13:12-14)
Similar to the previous oracle, the Lord makes a point through symbolism, except this includes a pronouncement of judgment. The oracle begins with an affirmation of a popular saying that displays the people's carefree attitude and love of carousing. The Lord says the cup will now be filled with His wrath as destruction comes upon them.
A Plea for Humble Repentance (Jer 13:15-17)
In light of the imminent judgment spoken of in the previous oracle, Judah is called to repent before it is too late.
An Oracle to the King and the Queen Mother (Jer 13:18-19)
Now that the people have received their warning, the royal family is addressed. In this case, it is a lament over the end of the monarchy and the exile of the nation.
The Coming Judgment for Persistent Sin (Jer 13:20-27)
This poetic oracle centers around the great and unrelenting sin of Jerusalem that has become their default way of life. Because of it, judgment is inevitable. This ends the unit of oracles that began in 13:1 with an explanation of why judgment must come.
Reading Guide for Jeremiah 11:1-13:27
The Broken Covenant (Jer 11:1-17)
This section begins with the Lord reaffirming the terms of the covenant made at Sinai. He then reminds the people that when their fathers broke the covenant, they incurred the curses. Similarly, now that the current generation is likewise breaking the terms of the covenant, they too will bring the curses upon themselves.
Reaffirmation of the Deuteronomic Covenant (Jer 11:1-5)
Covenant Breaking and the Resulting Curse in the Past Generations (Jer 11:6-8)
Covenant Breaking and the Resulting Curse in the Current Generation (Jer 11:9-14)
The Coming Judgment (Jer 11:15-17)
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First Confession: Jeremiah's Complaint and Response (Jer 11:18-12:6)
This is often called the first of Jeremiah's "Confessions," where the prophet voices his complaints to God. It consists of two sections that follow an identical pattern: 1) Jeremiah's complaint to the Lord over the wickedness around him, 2) a prayer for deliverance from his enemies, and 3) the Lord's response to his prayer.
A. First Prayer and Response (Jer 11:18-23)
Complaint (Jer 11:18-19)
Prayer for Deliverance (Jer 11:20)
Divine Response (Jer 11:21-23)
B. Second Prayer and Response (Jer 12:1-6)
Complaint (Jer 12:1-2)
Prayer for Deliverance (Jer 12:3-4)
Divine Response (Jer 12:5-6)
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Divine Complaint and Response (Jer 12:7-17)
Following a similar pattern of complaint/response seen in the previous section, here we see, in detail, the Lord's own grief over the sin of His people. The response is the Lord's own word in the form of an oracle of divine judgment and restoration.
Divine Complaint (Jer 12:7-13)
Divine Response (Jer 12:14-17)
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Sin Leading to Judgment (Jer 13:1-27)
A Living Parable: The Linen Waistcloth (Jer 13:1-11)
This passage contains a symbolic act where Jeremiah hides a clean loincloth by the river Euphrates. When he retrieves it, it has become spoiled. This is to show that Israel and Judah once clung closely to the Lord, but have become spoiled through the worship of foreign idols outside the land.
Parable of the Wine Jars (Jer 13:12-14)
Similar to the previous oracle, the Lord makes a point through symbolism, except this includes a pronouncement of judgment. The oracle begins with an affirmation of a popular saying that displays the people's carefree attitude and love of carousing. The Lord says the cup will now be filled with His wrath as destruction comes upon them.
A Plea for Humble Repentance (Jer 13:15-17)
In light of the imminent judgment spoken of in the previous oracle, Judah is called to repent before it is too late.
An Oracle to the King and the Queen Mother (Jer 13:18-19)
Now that the people have received their warning, the royal family is addressed. In this case, it is a lament over the end of the monarchy and the exile of the nation.
The Coming Judgment for Persistent Sin (Jer 13:20-27)
This poetic oracle centers around the great and unrelenting sin of Jerusalem that has become their default way of life. Because of it, judgment is inevitable. This ends the unit of oracles that began in 13:1 with an explanation of why judgment must come.