How does Jeremiah 19:15 connect with Deuteronomy 28 on blessings and curses? Jeremiah 19:15—A Wake-Up Call “Thus says the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel: ‘I am about to bring on this city and on all its towns every disaster that I pronounced against it, because they have stiffened their necks and refused to hear My words.’” Deuteronomy 28—A Covenant Framework • Verses 1-14: overflowing blessing promised for covenant obedience • Verses 15-68: mounting curse promised for covenant rebellion Key summary texts: – “If you fully obey the LORD your God … all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you.” (28:1-2) – “If you do not obey the LORD your God … all these curses will come upon you and overtake you.” (28:15) Direct Connections Between Jeremiah 19:15 and Deuteronomy 28 • SAME SPEAKER: “the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel” (Jeremiah 19:15) is the covenant-making God of Deuteronomy 28. • SAME STANDARD: “refused to hear My words” echoes the Deuteronomy call to “listen diligently” (28:1, 2, 15). • SAME CONSEQUENCE PATTERN: – Disaster “pronounced” (Jeremiah 19:15) = curses “written in this book” (Deuteronomy 28:61). – National ruin, siege, exile (Jeremiah 19 context) mirror Deuteronomy 28:49-52, 64. • SAME HEART ISSUE: “stiffened their necks” matches Deuteronomy 29:19, “stubborn heart,” and 28:47, failure to serve the LORD gladly. • SAME COVENANT ROLE: Jeremiah functions as covenant prosecutor, invoking Deuteronomy 28 as legal precedent (cf. Jeremiah 11:1-8; 17:1-4). Jeremiah as Covenant Prosecutor 1. Recites the original stipulations (Jeremiah 11:6-8). 2. Identifies breach—idolatry, child sacrifice (Jeremiah 19:4-5). 3. Declares sentence—the very curses covenant-breakers signed under Moses. The Blessing-Curse Pivot • Blessing and curse are two sides of one covenant coin. • The pivot is obedience of heart: turning ears (“hear My words”) vs. stiff necks. • Deuteronomy 28 lays out the fork; Jeremiah shows Judah choosing the tragic side. Further Scriptural Echoes • Leviticus 26 parallels Deuteronomy 28; Jeremiah draws from both (cf. Leviticus 26:31 with Jeremiah 19:8). • 2 Kings 17:13-18 recounts Israel’s earlier fall for the same reasons, confirming the covenant pattern. • Ezekiel 22:3-4 announces like judgments, highlighting prophetic unity. Takeaway: Living Under an Unchanging God • God’s word is consistent; centuries later He enforces the same covenant terms. • Blessing remains available to the repentant (Jeremiah 18:7-8; Deuteronomy 30:1-3). • Persistent refusal invites the full weight of the curses Jeremiah repeats from Deuteronomy. |
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