Jeremiah 11:18
And the LORD informed me, so I knew. Then You showed me their deeds.
And the LORD informed me, so I knew.
This phrase highlights the divine revelation given to Jeremiah. In the context of the prophetic ministry, God often revealed hidden truths to His prophets (Amos 3:7). Jeremiah, as a prophet, was privy to divine knowledge that was not accessible to others. This revelation underscores the intimate relationship between God and His prophets, where God communicates His will and plans. The phrase also reflects the theme of God’s omniscience and His ability to disclose the intentions and plans of people, which is a recurring theme throughout the Bible (Psalm 139:1-4).

Then You showed me their deeds.
Here, the focus shifts to the specific content of the revelation. God not only informs Jeremiah but also provides insight into the actions and intentions of the people around him. This is significant in the context of Jeremiah's ministry, as he often faced opposition and conspiracy from those who rejected his message (Jeremiah 11:19). The deeds likely refer to the plots against Jeremiah's life, as revealed in the subsequent verses. This revelation serves as a warning and a call to action for Jeremiah, emphasizing the theme of divine protection and guidance for those who are faithful to God's calling. The phrase also foreshadows the suffering and persecution that Jeremiah, as a type of Christ, would endure, paralleling the opposition Jesus faced during His earthly ministry (John 15:18-20).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Judah. Known for his lamentations and deep emotional connection to his prophetic mission.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who reveals His will and plans to His prophets. In this context, He is the one who informs Jeremiah of the plots against him.

3. The People of Judah
The audience of Jeremiah's prophecies, often resistant and rebellious against God's commands. They are the ones whose deeds are revealed to Jeremiah.

4. The Plot Against Jeremiah
The specific event where God reveals to Jeremiah the malicious intentions of his fellow countrymen, who are plotting against his life.

5. Anathoth
Jeremiah's hometown, where some of the conspirators against him were from, highlighting the personal betrayal he faced.
Teaching Points
Divine Revelation
God reveals hidden truths to His servants. Just as He informed Jeremiah of the plots against him, God can provide insight and guidance to believers today through His Word and Spirit.

God's Protection
Despite human schemes, God's protection is over His chosen ones. Believers can trust in God's sovereignty and care, even when facing opposition.

Faithfulness in Adversity
Jeremiah's experience teaches us to remain faithful to God's calling, even when facing betrayal or danger. Our commitment to God's mission should not waver in the face of adversity.

The Reality of Spiritual Opposition
Just as Jeremiah faced opposition, believers today should be aware of spiritual battles and the reality of opposition when standing for truth.

The Importance of Prayer
In light of opposition, prayer becomes a vital tool for seeking God's guidance and protection, as seen in Jeremiah's life and other biblical examples.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does God's revelation to Jeremiah in 11:18 demonstrate His omniscience and care for His prophets?

2. In what ways can believers today experience God's guidance and protection similar to Jeremiah's experience?

3. How does the plot against Jeremiah reflect the broader theme of opposition to God's messengers throughout the Bible?

4. What practical steps can we take to remain faithful to God's calling in the face of adversity and opposition?

5. How can the example of Jeremiah encourage us to deepen our prayer life, especially when facing challenges or threats?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Jeremiah 1:5
This verse connects to Jeremiah 11:18 by emphasizing God's intimate knowledge and calling of Jeremiah even before his birth, underscoring the divine revelation and protection over his life.

Psalm 64:1-2
This passage parallels the theme of God revealing the secret plots of the wicked, as seen in Jeremiah 11:18, and serves as a prayer for protection against such schemes.

Acts 23:12-22
The plot against Paul mirrors the plot against Jeremiah, showing how God's servants often face opposition but are protected and informed by God.
Perils of ProphesyingA.F. Muir Jeremiah 11:18-23
The Baffled PlotS. Conway Jeremiah 11:18-23
The Prophet in His Own CountryD. Young Jeremiah 11:18-23
People
Anathoth, Jeremiah
Places
Anathoth, Egypt, Jerusalem, Zion
Topics
Cause, Clear, Deeds, Doings, Evil, Hast, Moreover, O, Plot, Shewedst, Showed, Showedst
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 11:18

     1403   God, revelation

Jeremiah 11:18-19

     5817   conspiracies

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

Links
Jeremiah 11:18 NIV
Jeremiah 11:18 NLT
Jeremiah 11:18 ESV
Jeremiah 11:18 NASB
Jeremiah 11:18 KJV

Jeremiah 11:18 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Jeremiah 11:17
Top of Page
Top of Page