Jeremiah The Fruitless Prophet	Lesson 05 – Broken Covenant Jeremiah 11:1-15:21 Date: 11 November 2020 – Jer20
Dates and chronology are based largely on www.generationword.com/notes/jeremiah/prelim-notes.pdf Used by permission.

1.         Jeremiah Preached of the Broken Covenant (Jer 11:1-17)

a.          This was the covenant God made with Israel when He brought them out of Egypt. Cursed be those who do not obey (v.3). Obedience was God’s condition to the covenant (v.4).

Though we are not under the Law, God still desires obedience from us in order for us to receive His blessings.

b.          God commanded Jeremiah to preach this message in the cities of Judah and in Jerusalem (v.6). God sought obedience (v.7).

c.           The Lord found conspiracy among the men of Judah (v.9). They turned to other gods and did not obey Jehovah (v.10).

d.          Evil is coming (v.11). Jeremiah was not to pray that God would be merciful (v.14).

When people refuse to obey God, there comes a time that we must pray for their repentance but not for God’s mercy on them.

2.         Jeremiah’s Home People Turned Against Him (Jer 11:18-12:17)

a.          They secretly plotted his death (v.19)

b.          Jeremiah asked God to deal with the oppressors (v.20).

c.           God told Jeremiah that he would deal with the men of Anathoth (v.21-23).

d.          Jeremiah then asked the Lord the age-old question, “Why do the wicked prosper?” (12:1). Note his conversation with God (12:2-4).

e.          God answered Jeremiah with a challenge (12:5).

f.            The Lord then described how Israel, His heritage, had disappointed Him and troubles they would face (12:7-13).

g.          The Lord then addressed the evil neighbours of Israel and how he would judge them if they did not obey Him (12:14-17).

3.         God’s Warnings to Judah (Jer 13)

a.          The girdle parable warning (13:1-11). Just as the weather spoiled the belt, God would spoil His evil people.

b.          The wine bottle parable warning (13:12-14). Like drunks, they would be dashed one against another in judgment without mercy.

c.           Warning to the proud (13:15-21). Because of their pride, God will send them into captivity and punish them.

d.          Warning to the evil ones (13:22-27). Just as the leopard cannot change its spots, neither can sinful Judah change their evil ways. God saw their evil ways.

4.         God Sent a Drought to Judah (Jer 14)

a.          He describes for us the extent of the dearth (14:1-6). It was a very severe drought.

b.          Jeremiah prayed for the people and confessed their sins. He begged God not to leave them (14:7-9).

c.           The Lord told Jeremiah that the judgment was because the people loved to wander from Him and that he was not to pray for their good (14:11).

d.          God said that he would not accept their offerings (14:12). God longed for their hearts not their burnt offerings.

God longs for our hearts not just outward show.

e.          Jeremiah reminded God that false prophets lied to the people (14:13). God condemned the lying prophets and the people who believed them (14:14-16).

f.            Jeremiah continues to cry and intercede for Judah with God (14:17-22).

Jeremiah had a genuine heart for his people. May we have the same!

5.         Inevitable Judgment (Jer 15)

a.          God’s mind was made up.

1)         God said that even if Moses and Samuel stood before Him to plead for Judah, His mind would not change (15:1).

2)         The people would be destroyed by death, sword, famine, and captivity (15:2).

3)         The sword, dogs, fowls and beasts of the earth would devour and destroy them (15:3).

4)         God placed much of the blame on Manasseh who led the people far from God before he repented (15:4).

It is sad, but when people persist in their evil ways, God eventually will run out of longsuffering and become weary of repenting. Judgment must come.

5)         God was determined to send the people and all their substance into captivity because of their sins (15:13-14).

b.          Jeremiah asked God again to deal with his persecutors (15:15-18). He was faithfully preaching God’s word, yet the people mocked and wounded him.

c.           God reassured Jeremiah of his presence and protection over his life (15:19-21).

When we are serving the Lord, He does not guarantee that we will not face persecution, but He does promise to be with us through it.