111 The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord , saying , 2 " Hear the words of this covenant , and speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem ; 3 and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord , the God of Israel , " Cursed is the man who does not heed the words of this covenant 4 which I commanded your forefathers in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt , from the iron furnace , saying , ' Listen to My voice , and do according to all which I command you; so you shall be My people , and I will be your God ,' 5 in order to confirm the oath which I swore to your forefathers , to give them a land flowing with milk and honey , as it is this day ."' " Then I said , " Amen , O Lord ." 6 And the Lord said to me, " Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem , saying , ' Hear the words of this covenant and do them. 7 'For I solemnly warned your fathers in the day that I brought them up from the land of Egypt , even to this day , warning persistently , saying , " Listen to My voice ." 8 'Yet they did not obey or incline their ear , but walked , each one , in the stubbornness of his evil heart ; therefore I brought on them all the words of this covenant , which I commanded them to do , but they did not.' " 9 Then the Lord said to me, "A conspiracy has been found among the men of Judah and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem . 10 "They have turned back to the iniquities of their ancestors who refused to hear My words , and they have gone after other gods to serve them; the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken My covenant which I made with their fathers ."
11 Therefore thus says the Lord , "Behold I am bringing disaster on them which they will not be able to escape ; though they will cry to Me, yet I will not listen to them. 12 "Then the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will go and cry to the gods to whom they burn incense , but they surely will not save them in the time of their disaster . 13 "For your gods are as many as your cities , O Judah ; and as many as the streets of Jerusalem are the altars you have set up to the shameful thing , altars to burn incense to Baal . 14 "Therefore do not pray for this people , nor lift up a cry or prayer for them; for I will not listen when they call to Me because of their disaster . 15 "What right has My beloved in My house When she has done many vile deeds ? Can the sacrificial flesh take away from you your disaster , So that you can rejoice ?" 16 The Lord called your name , "A green olive tree , beautiful in fruit and form "; With the noise of a great tumult He has kindled fire on it, And its branches are worthless . 17 The Lord of hosts , who planted you, has pronounced evil against you because of the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah , which they have done to provoke Me by offering up sacrifices to Baal .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 11:1-17
Commentary on Jeremiah 11:1-10
(Read Jeremiah 11:1-10)
God never promised to bestow blessings on his rational creatures, while they persist in wilful disobedience. Pardon and acceptance are promised freely to all believers; but no man can be saved who does not obey the command of God to repent, to believe in Christ, to separate from sin and the world, to choose self-denial and newness of life. In general, men will hearken to those who speak of doctrines, promises, and privileges; but when duties are mentioned, they will not bend their ear.
Commentary on Jeremiah 11:11-17
(Read Jeremiah 11:11-17)
Evil pursues sinners, and entangles them in snares, out of which they cannot free themselves. Now, in their distress, their many gods and many altars stand them in no stead. And those whose own prayers will not be heard, cannot expect benefit from the prayers of others. Their profession of religion shall prove of no use. When trouble came upon them, they made this their confidence, but God has rejected it. His altar shall yield them no satisfaction. The remembrance of God's former favours to them shall be no comfort under troubles; and his remembrance of them shall be no argument for their relief. Every sin against the Lord is a sin against ourselves, and so it will be found sooner or later.