Jeremiah 11:10
They have returned to the sins of their forefathers who refused to obey My words. They have followed other gods to serve them. The house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken the covenant I made with their fathers.
They have returned
This phrase indicates a regression or a turning back to previous behaviors. In the Hebrew context, the word "returned" (שׁוּב, shuv) often implies a physical or spiritual turning. Here, it suggests a deliberate choice to revert to sinful practices, highlighting the cyclical nature of Israel's disobedience. Historically, this reflects the pattern seen throughout the Old Testament, where the Israelites repeatedly fall away from God's commands.

to the sins of their forefathers
The "sins of their forefathers" refers to the idolatry and disobedience that characterized previous generations. This phrase underscores the generational impact of sin and the tendency to repeat the mistakes of the past. Biblically, it serves as a reminder of the importance of learning from history to avoid repeating it. The forefathers' sins often involved idol worship and neglect of God's law, which were major issues throughout Israel's history.

who refused to obey My words
"Refused" (מָאֵן, ma'en) conveys a strong, willful rejection. This phrase highlights the deliberate choice to ignore God's commands. The historical context here is crucial, as the Israelites had been given the Law through Moses, which they were to follow. Their refusal is not due to ignorance but a conscious decision to reject divine authority, which is a recurring theme in the prophetic books.

and have followed other gods to serve them
This phrase points to idolatry, a central issue in Israel's history. "Followed" (הָלַךְ, halak) implies a lifestyle or habitual practice, while "serve" (עָבַד, avad) indicates worship and devotion. The historical context involves the influence of surrounding pagan cultures, which often led Israel astray. This serves as a warning against the allure of cultural assimilation and the abandonment of true worship.

The house of Israel and the house of Judah
This phrase distinguishes between the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah), both of which are guilty of breaking the covenant. Historically, after Solomon's reign, the united kingdom of Israel split into these two entities, each with its own kings and often its own set of sins. This division is significant in understanding the political and spiritual landscape of the time.

have broken the covenant
"Broken" (פָּרַר, parar) suggests a violation or annulment of an agreement. The "covenant" refers to the solemn agreement between God and Israel, established at Sinai. This covenant was conditional, requiring Israel's obedience in exchange for God's blessings. The breaking of this covenant is a serious offense, as it represents a breach of trust and relationship with God.

I made with their fathers
This phrase emphasizes the continuity and historical depth of God's relationship with Israel. "Made" (כָּרַת, karat) literally means "to cut," referring to the ancient practice of cutting animals in covenant ceremonies. The "fathers" are the patriarchs and leaders like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses, with whom God established His promises. This highlights the enduring nature of God's commitment despite human unfaithfulness.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah and Jerusalem.

2. House of Israel
Refers to the northern kingdom, which had already fallen to Assyria due to their disobedience and idolatry.

3. House of Judah
The southern kingdom, which was being warned by Jeremiah of impending judgment if they did not repent.

4. Forefathers
The ancestors of the Israelites who had similarly turned away from God, leading to various periods of judgment and exile.

5. Covenant
The sacred agreement between God and the Israelites, initially established with Abraham and later reaffirmed through Moses at Sinai.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Idolatry
Idolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but can include anything that takes the place of God in our lives. We must examine our hearts for modern-day idols.

The Importance of Obedience
Obedience to God's Word is crucial. The Israelites' failure to obey led to severe consequences, reminding us of the importance of aligning our lives with Scripture.

Covenant Faithfulness
God is faithful to His covenant, but He requires faithfulness from His people. We are called to live in a way that honors our relationship with Him.

Learning from the Past
The sins of the forefathers serve as a warning. We should learn from past mistakes and strive to follow God's commands diligently.

Repentance and Restoration
Despite the judgment, God always offers a path to repentance and restoration. We should seek His forgiveness and return to Him wholeheartedly.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some modern-day idols that can distract us from our relationship with God, and how can we guard against them?

2. How does the concept of covenant in the Old Testament relate to the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ?

3. In what ways can we ensure that we are not repeating the mistakes of the "forefathers" in our spiritual walk?

4. How can we apply the lessons of obedience and faithfulness from Jeremiah 11:10 in our daily lives?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's call to repentance. How did you respond, and what was the outcome?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 32
The incident of the golden calf, where the Israelites quickly turned to idolatry after being delivered from Egypt, parallels the repeated disobedience mentioned in Jeremiah 11:10.

Deuteronomy 28
Outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, providing context for the covenantal breach described in Jeremiah.

2 Kings 17
Describes the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel due to their persistent idolatry and rejection of God's commands.

Hosea 4:6
Highlights the destruction that comes from a lack of knowledge and rejection of God's law, similar to the situation in Jeremiah.

Romans 1:21-23
Discusses humanity's tendency to exchange the truth of God for lies and worship created things, echoing the idolatry in Jeremiah.
Spiritual Atavism; Or, the Sins of the FathersA.F. Muir Jeremiah 11:10
The Covenant with the Fathers Binding on the ChildrenD. Young Jeremiah 11:1-12
People
Anathoth, Jeremiah
Places
Anathoth, Egypt, Jerusalem, Zion
Topics
Agreement, Ancestors, Broken, Covenant, Ear, Fathers, Followed, Forefathers, Gods, Iniquities, Judah, Kept, Listen, Refused, Servants, Serve, Sins, Void
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 11:10

     1349   covenant, at Sinai
     6194   impenitence, warnings
     8345   servanthood, and worship

Jeremiah 11:9-10

     5817   conspiracies

Jeremiah 11:9-11

     5376   law, purpose of

Jeremiah 11:10-13

     8799   polytheism

Library
First, for Thy Thoughts.
1. Be careful to suppress every sin in the first motion; dash Babylon's children, whilst they are young, against the stones; tread, betimes, the cockatrice's egg, lest it break out into a serpent; let sin be to thy heart a stranger, not a home-dweller: take heed of falling oft into the same sin, lest the custom of sinning take away the conscience of sin, and then shalt thou wax so impudently wicked, that thou wilt neither fear God nor reverence man. 2. Suffer not thy mind to feed itself upon any
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

"And we all do Fade as a Leaf, and Our Iniquities, Like the Wind, have Taken us Away. "
Isaiah lxiv. 6.--"And we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Here they join the punishment with the deserving cause, their uncleanness and their iniquities, and so take it upon them, and subscribe to the righteousness of God's dealing. We would say this much in general--First, Nobody needeth to quarrel God for his dealing. He will always be justified when he is judged. If the Lord deal more sharply with you than with others, you may judge there is a difference
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
THE FALL OF NINEVEH AND THE RISE OF THE CHALDAEAN AND MEDIAN EMPIRES--THE XXVIth EGYPTIAN DYNASTY: CYAXARES, ALYATTES, AND NEBUCHADREZZAR. The legendary history of the kings of Media and the first contact of the Medes with the Assyrians: the alleged Iranian migrations of the Avesta--Media-proper, its fauna and flora; Phraortes and the beginning of the Median empire--Persia proper and the Persians; conquest of Persia by the Medes--The last monuments of Assur-bani-pal: the library of Kouyunjik--Phraortes
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8

Backsliding.
"I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away."--Hosea xiv. 4. There are two kinds of backsliders. Some have never been converted: they have gone through the form of joining a Christian community and claim to be backsliders; but they never have, if I may use the expression, "slid forward." They may talk of backsliding; but they have never really been born again. They need to be treated differently from real back-sliders--those who have been born of the incorruptible
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It

The Tests of Love to God
LET us test ourselves impartially whether we are in the number of those that love God. For the deciding of this, as our love will be best seen by the fruits of it, I shall lay down fourteen signs, or fruits, of love to God, and it concerns us to search carefully whether any of these fruits grow in our garden. 1. The first fruit of love is the musing of the mind upon God. He who is in love, his thoughts are ever upon the object. He who loves God is ravished and transported with the contemplation of
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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