Reading for September 1st

COVENAT DESTROYED Chs. 11-20: Like the previous chapters, this section of the book seeks to explain the tragedy that has befallen Judah and to defend God from charges of cruelty. It claims that the people brought the catastrophe upon themselves. These chapters continue the poetic accusations of ch. 2-10, but in addition, Jeremiah himself moves into the foreground as a major character in the book. Stories how Jeremiah engaged in symbolic actions (chs. 13, 18, 19, 20). Symbolic actions are prophetic activities that express the prophetic message in dramatic behavior. In addition, this section also includes poems called "confessions" or "laments" of Jeremiah. The confession portray Jeremiah's sufferings as he tries to be faithful to his prophetic mission. The covenant sermon begins the next ten chaters with a curse whose fulfillment becomes inevitable by ch. 20. No blessing which usually accompany curses, appear here. The absence suggests that the curse-defeat of Judah-has already occurred and that the audience in Exile is asking why it happened and if it is reversible. The sermon interprets their loss of land as the result of their infedility. Only obedience to God's voice through this prophetic book can set things right. Read Jeremiah 11.1-17: The covenant cures. In this prose sermon, similar in style to the Temple sermon ((7.1-8.3), Jeremiah annouces a curse upon anyone who does not heed the words of the covenant (v.3). The covenant refers to the relationship of loyalty and love that God made with them at Mount Sinai (Ex 19). This sermon has one point that is presented with great simiplicity: To posses the land, the people must obey the covenant. In verse 4: They must listen to my voice. The covenant is a two-way relationship. If they obey, thn so shall you be my people, and I will be your God. In verse 5; That obedience is the condition of living in the land flowing with milk and honey. In verses 6-13: Otherwise disaster will fall upon them. In verses 14-17: Once again God tells Jeremiah not to intercede for the people because they are so sinful. Comments or Questions..