The expectations of a Covenant-making God
Jeremiah 11:1-17 (select verses)
11 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord:…
3 You shall say to them, Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Cursed be anyone who does not heed the words of this covenant, 4 which I commanded your ancestors when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the iron-smelter, saying, Listen to my voice, and do all that I command you. So shall you be my people, and I will be your God, 5 that I may perform the oath that I swore to your ancestors, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as at this day. Then I answered, ‘So be it, Lord.’
6 And the Lord said to me: Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: Hear the words of this covenant and do them. 7 For I solemnly warned your ancestors when I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, warning them persistently, even to this day, saying, Obey my voice. 8 Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but everyone walked in the stubbornness of an evil will. So I brought upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but they did not….
10 They have turned back to the iniquities of their ancestors of old, who refused to heed my words; they have gone after other gods to serve them; the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken the covenant that I made with their ancestors. 11 Therefore, thus says the Lord, assuredly I am going to bring disaster upon them that they cannot escape…12 Then the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will go and cry out to the gods to whom they make offerings, but they will never save them in the time of their trouble.
The word “covenant” appears in vs. 3, 6, 8, 10 and keeping oath in vs. 5 – it also appears throughout the book of Jeremiah. A Covenant is a binding contract between two parties – usually one of higher rank/importance and someone of lower rank/importance. The Covenant outlined what the one in higher position would do to care for, protect, benefit the one in the lower position; and in turn what the one in the lower position would do to honour the one in higher position. So, in the case of God’s covenant with Israel, God, the high and exalted one, chose to enter into a relationship with Israel (Judah) bringing them out of slavery in Egypt (vs. 4 and 7), and fulfilling the oath (promise) to bring them to a land flowing with milk and honey (vs. 5). God having done his part in keeping Covenant expected Israel (Judah) to complete its part of the covenant and obey the voice of God. But Judah had not obeyed (vs. 8).
The Covenant also outlined what would happen if either side broke the agreement. So in vs. 11 God says he will enact the consequences on the people for their breaking the Covenant. And the consequences God says are as sure as the blessings were (vs. 12).
It is easy to condemn the people of Judah for walking in “the stubbornness of an evil will” (vs. 8). How could they do that, we ask, after God showed them so much care and compassion. But we are no different – we too turn our backs on God’s voice, even though God has shown us care and compassion and has blessed us beyond all imagining.
The God who made Covenant with Israel and Judah, has made Covenant with us. Having received the benefits God promised to provide, will we keep our side of the Covenant and live following God’s voice? This is the question we need to ask ourselves each day: Are we going to live our lives following God’s voice?
PRAYER:
O Lord, you are a Covenant-making God. We rejoice that you have kept Covenant with us, shape us into Covenant-keeping people who keep Covenant with you. By the work of the Holy Spirit make us into people who follow your voice each day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.