Reading for July 9th

 COVENANT DESTROYED

Chs. 11-20: Like the previous chapters, this section of the book seeks to explain the tragedy that has befallen Judah amd to defend God from the charges of cruelty. It claims that the people brought the catastrophe upon themselves. These chapters continue the poetic accusations of chs. 2-10, but in addition, Jeremiah himself moves into the foreground as a major character in the book. Stories show 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 the "confessions' or "laments" of Jeremiah. The confessions portray Jeremiah's sufferings as he tries to be faithful to his prophetic mission. The covenant sermon begins the next ten chapters with a curse whose fulfillment becomes inevitable by ch. 20. No belssings,which usually accompany curses--defeat of Judah--has already occurred and the audience is exile is asking why it happened and if it is reversibile. The sermon interprets their loss of the land as the result of their infidelity. Only obedience to God's voice through this prophetic book can set things right.

Read Jeremiah 11.1-17. In 11.1-17: The covenant curse. In this prose sermon, similar instyle to the Temple sermon (7.1-8.3), Jeremiah announces 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 simplicity: To possess 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, then 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..