How does Jeremiah 11:6 connect with Deuteronomy's emphasis on covenant obedience?

Setting the Stage

“Then 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 carry them out.’ ” (Jeremiah 11:6)

---

Echoes of Deuteronomy in Jeremiah 11:6

• The same two-part call—“hear” and “do”—runs through Deuteronomy:

– “Hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it.” (Deuteronomy 6:3)

– “Therefore you shall keep the words of this covenant and do them.” (Deuteronomy 29:9)

• Jeremiah’s audience is Judah centuries later, yet God’s standard has not shifted. The prophet simply re-broadcasts Moses’ original charge.

• Jeremiah 11 functions like a covenant lawsuit. Deuteronomy supplied the covenant terms; Jeremiah cites them as legal evidence.

---

Key Parallels

1. Covenant Publication

• Deuteronomy: Moses reads the law “in the hearing of all Israel.” (31:11)

• Jeremiah: God commands public proclamation “in the streets of Jerusalem.”

2. Covenant Contents

• Deuteronomy details blessings for obedience and curses for rebellion (28:1-68).

• Jeremiah 11:3-5 recalls those same blessings and curses, proving they are still in force.

3. Covenant Conditionality

• Deuteronomy: “If you diligently obey… the LORD will set you high.” (28:1)

• Jeremiah: “Obey My voice… that I may fulfill the oath I swore to your fathers.” (11:4-5)

---

Deuteronomic Terminology Reused

• “This covenant” (Jeremiah 11:6) = “this covenant” (Deuteronomy 29:9).

• “Hear the words” (Jeremiah 11:6) = “hear the words” (Deuteronomy 32:1).

• “Do/keep” (Jeremiah 11:6) = “do/keep” (Deuteronomy 4:6; 6:17; 27:1).

---

Why the Link Matters

• God’s covenant is not a relic; it is a living agreement binding every generation.

• Jeremiah’s ministry shows that later prophets never offered a new standard—only a call back to the Word already given.

• The unchanging requirement highlights both divine faithfulness and human responsibility.

---

Take-Home Insights

• Scripture interprets Scripture; Jeremiah clarifies that Deuteronomy’s commands were never negotiable.

• Covenant obedience is the measure by which God evaluates His people—past, present, future.

• The pathway to blessing has always been plain: hear God’s Word and put it into practice (James 1:22).