NOTES for Jer 11:1-23
Jeremiah's compatriots want to kill him. But why? Because he “spoke in the name of the Lord” and called everyone to listen to Him and heed the words of His covenant? Can this really be so terrible that they are prepared to “eliminate” the prophet for it? Of course, we might suppose that they disliked his denunciations of their lives, religious beliefs, and lies, but Jeremiah's principal appeal is to “hear the words of the covenant.” When we think about it, this truly is frightening. It is good to live by one's own rules, but better still to be able to choose gods who offer good rules! To hear the words of the covenant God made with Israel, which requires a readiness to listen and respond, a readiness for a real relationship, is difficult, very difficult indeed. Such appeals can get a person killed. But what will remain afterward, when there is neither prophet nor covenant with God?..