THE BROKEN COVENANT Jeremiah 11
Disobedience on the part of God's people always leads to tragic results. The disobedience in the garden and the disobedience of Jonah are two of many examples. The wages of sin remain the same. The men of Judah had grievously disobeyed the Word of the Lord, and it was Jeremiah's difficult task to rebuke them and protest their unfaithfulness. Let us examine the content of Jeremiah's message of rebuke.
I. The COVENANT Itself. Jeremiah 11:5 That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD.
A. The performance sworn by God.
B. The promise of the land,
C. The prosperity of the people.
II. The CURSE for Breaking the Covenant. Jeremiah 11:3, 7, 8
Jeremiah 11:3 And say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant,
A. Brought about by disrespect for God.
B. Brought about by disobedience to the covenant.
C. Brought about by the denial of God's warnings.
D. Brought about by the determination of sinful men to continue in sin.
E. Executed under the discipline of God.
III. The CONSPIRACY of the Covenant Breakers. Jeremiah 11:9, 10
A. Among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
B. Consisting of the iniquities of the forefathers.
C. Carried out in illicit ways. Jeremiah 11:15 What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from thee? when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest.
In this chapter Jeremiah writes, "Therefore pray not thou for this people" (11:14). What a tragedy in which to find oneself!
Even prayer could not reach this people. They were beyond help. Judgment had been declared and was soon to come. Many people are under this same condemnation. You, my sinner friend, are right now under the condemnation of God. You, too, have broken His law. The only way out from under the curse that is upon you is through the Lord Jesus Christ. Galatians 3:13 says, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree."