◄ Jeremiah 11:22 ►
So this is what the LORD of Hosts says: "I will punish them. Their young men will die by the sword, their sons and daughters by famine.
Study Bible
So this is what the LORD of Hosts says
The phrase "LORD of Hosts" is a translation of the Hebrew "Yahweh Sabaoth," which emphasizes God's supreme command over the armies of heaven and earth. This title underscores His authority and power to execute judgment. Historically, this title reassures the faithful of God's omnipotence and His ability to protect and deliver His people, while also serving as a warning to those who oppose Him.

I will punish them
The Hebrew root for "punish" is "paqad," which can mean to visit, attend to, or reckon. In this context, it implies a divine reckoning or judgment. This phrase reflects God's justice and His response to the covenant unfaithfulness of the people. It serves as a reminder that God is not indifferent to sin and that there are consequences for disobedience.

Their young men will die by the sword
The imagery of "the sword" is a common biblical metaphor for war and divine judgment. In ancient times, the sword was a primary instrument of warfare, symbolizing the violence and destruction that would come upon the people. This phrase highlights the severity of the punishment and the loss of the next generation, which would have been a devastating blow to the community's future.

their sons and daughters by famine
Famine, often a result of siege or natural disaster, is used here to depict the comprehensive nature of the coming judgment. The mention of "sons and daughters" emphasizes the widespread impact of the punishment, affecting all members of society. In the biblical narrative, famine is frequently a consequence of covenant unfaithfulness, serving as a call to repentance and a return to reliance on God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD of Hosts
This title emphasizes God's supreme authority and power over all heavenly and earthly armies. It underscores His ability to execute judgment and fulfill His promises.

2. Jeremiah
The prophet who conveyed God's message to the people of Judah. He was called to warn them of impending judgment due to their disobedience and idolatry.

3. The People of Judah
The primary audience of Jeremiah's prophecy. They had broken the covenant with God by worshiping other gods, leading to the pronouncement of judgment.

4. The Sword and Famine
Symbols of divine judgment. The sword represents warfare and death, while famine signifies severe deprivation and suffering.

5. Anathoth
Jeremiah's hometown, where the people plotted against him. This verse is part of God's response to their conspiracy against His prophet.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and Justice
God is sovereign and just, and His judgments are righteous. We must recognize His authority and align our lives with His will.

The Consequences of Disobedience
Disobedience to God leads to severe consequences. We are called to live in obedience to His commands to avoid spiritual and physical repercussions.

The Importance of Covenant Faithfulness
Just as Judah was held accountable for breaking the covenant, we are called to remain faithful to our commitments to God.

The Role of Prophets
Prophets like Jeremiah play a crucial role in calling people back to God. We should heed the warnings and teachings of those who speak God's truth.

Intercession and Repentance
In light of impending judgment, there is always room for intercession and repentance. We should pray for ourselves and others to turn back to God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the title "LORD of Hosts" in Jeremiah 11:22 influence our understanding of God's power and authority?

2. In what ways can we see the consequences of disobedience to God in our own lives or society today?

3. How does the concept of covenant faithfulness in Jeremiah 11:22 relate to the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ?

4. What role do modern-day prophets or spiritual leaders play in guiding us back to God, and how can we discern their messages?

5. How can we incorporate intercession and repentance into our daily spiritual practices in response to God's warnings?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 28
This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience to God's covenant. Jeremiah 11:22 reflects the fulfillment of these covenant curses due to Judah's unfaithfulness.

Isaiah 1:20
This verse also speaks of the sword as a consequence of rebellion against God, reinforcing the theme of divine retribution for disobedience.

Ezekiel 14:21
Similar judgments of sword, famine, wild beasts, and plague are mentioned as God's four severe judgments, showing a consistent pattern of divine response to sin.
Sermons
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
Armies, Behold, Chosen, Daughters, Death, Die, Famine, Hosts, Ones, Punish, Punishment, Says, Seeing, Sons, Sword, Thus
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 11:22

     4823   famine, physical
     5746   youth

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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