Jeremiah’s First Confession (Jeremiah 11:18–23)
Jeremiah Praying for Judah
Jeremiah 11:18–23 marks the beginning of the so-called “Confessions of Jeremiah,” a series of personal prayers and laments that provide a window into the prophet’s emotional and spiritual struggles as he carried out his divine mission. These passages are intimate and raw, revealing the burden of prophecy and Jeremiah’s human vulnerability.
This First Confession sets the stage for Jeremiah’s subsequent confessions, which become increasingly intense as the prophet wrestles with his calling and the hostility he faces. In the First Confession, Jeremiah grapples with betrayal and the threat of death from his own people, specifically those from his hometown of Anathoth. This passage is both a cry for justice and a display of Jeremiah’s unwavering trust in God.
This confession is significant because it highlights Jeremiah’s personal anguish and reflects the broader themes of divine justice, human rebellion, and the cost of faithfulness. It serves as a reminder that the life of a minister or servant of God is often fraught with opposition and challenges, yet it is sustained by the assurance of God’s righteous judgment. Jeremiah’s First Confession humanizes the prophet and demonstrates that even God’s chosen messengers struggle with doubt, fear, and the desire for justice. This confession follows a pattern seen in many biblical laments: complaint (vv. 18–19), appeal to God (v. 20), and divine response (vv. 21–23).
Historical Background
To understand Jeremiah’s First Confession, it is essential to consider the historical and social context in which he prophesied. Jeremiah lived during a tumultuous period in Judah’s history, spanning the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE. This was a time of political instability, moral decline, and impending judgment. The rising Babylonian Empire threatened the kingdom of Judah, and Jeremiah was called to deliver a message of repentance and warning to a rebellious nation.
Jeremiah’s hometown of Anathoth, located a few miles northeast of Jerusalem, was a Levitical city (Joshua 21:18) and presumably a place where he should have found support and solidarity. The men of Anathoth likely included Jeremiah’s relatives and childhood acquaintances, making their betrayal particularly painful. However, it was here that Jeremiah faced opposition and plots against his life. The people of Anathoth rejected Jeremiah’s message, likely because it conflicted with their own interests and ideologies. Their hostility underscores the broader rejection of God’s word by the people of Judah.
This period also marked the reigns of several kings, including Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah. Jeremiah’s ministry began during Josiah’s reforms. Josiah’s religious reforms threatened local religious practices, but these reforms were superficial and failed to bring about genuine repentance. Jeremiah’s warnings became increasingly urgent as the nation continued in its rebellion, but they were met with resistance and hostility.
Jeremiah’s Complaint
Verse 18: “It was the LORD who made it known to me, and I knew; then you showed me their evil deeds.”
In this verse, Jeremiah acknowledges that God has revealed the sinister intentions of his adversaries. The prophet was unaware of the danger lurking around him, but God unveiled the plot against Jeremiah’s life. This revelation highlights the intimate relationship between Jeremiah and God and God’s protective care over his servant. It serves as a reminder that nothing is hidden from God’s sight, and he is the ultimate source of wisdom and guidance for his people.
Verse 19: “But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter. And I did not know it was against me that they devised schemes, saying, ‘Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, let us cut him off from the land of the living, so that his name will no longer be remembered.’”
Here, Jeremiah expresses his shock and dismay at the betrayal he faces. The metaphor of a “gentle lamb led to the slaughter” conveys his innocence and vulnerability, as well as the treachery of his enemies. The phrase “destroy the tree and its fruit” suggests not only an intent to kill Jeremiah but also to eradicate his legacy and message. This reflects the deep-seated animosity of his opponents, who sought to silence the prophetic voice entirely.
Jeremiah’s experience foreshadows the suffering of Christ, who was also betrayed and led to his death as an innocent lamb (Isaiah 53:7; John 1:29). This parallel reminds believers of the cost of faithfulness and the ultimate vindication of God’s servants.
Verse 20: “But you, O LORD of hosts, who judge righteously, who try the heart and the mind, let me see your retribution upon them, for to you I have committed my cause.”
In this verse, Jeremiah shifts from lament to prayer, appealing to God’s justice. He acknowledges God’s role as the righteous judge who examines the innermost thoughts and motives of humanity. By committing his cause to God, Jeremiah demonstrates his trust in divine justice and his refusal to take matters into his own hands. This prayer for vengeance is not born out of a personal vendetta but out of a desire for God’s righteousness to prevail.
The Hebrew word naqam is translated as “retribution” or “vengeance.” The idea behind the word is not the idea of paying back for an evil done against a person, “vengeance,” but the word carries the idea of vindication. Jeremiah is asking God to vindicate him as a prophet before the people.
This verse raises questions about the nature of imprecatory prayers and the tension between justice and forgiveness. While Jeremiah’s cry for vindication may seem harsh, it reflects a profound longing for Gods justice in a world marked by evil and injustice.
God’s Response to Jeremiah
Verses 21–23: “Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the people of Anathoth, who seek your life, and say, ‘You shall not prophesy in the name of the LORD, or you will die by our hand,’ therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘I am going to punish them; the young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine; and not even a remnant shall be left of them. For I will bring disaster upon the people of Anathoth, the year of their punishment.”
God’s response to Jeremiah’s prayer is swift and decisive. The people of Anathoth are condemned for their rebellion against God and their opposition to his prophet. Their threat to silence Jeremiah is ultimately an act of defiance against God himself, and it warrants divine judgment. The punishment described is severe, involving death by the sword, famine, and the eradication of their lineage. This prophecy underscores the seriousness of rejecting God’s word and the dire consequences of rebellion.
While this judgment may seem harsh, it is consistent with the covenantal framework of blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28). It serves as a sobering reminder of God’s holiness and justice, as well as his unwavering commitment to his word.
Implications for Today’s Ministers
Jeremiah’s First Confession offers profound insights and lessons for ministers and believers today. It reveals the challenges of faithfully proclaiming God’s truth in the face of opposition and hostility. Just as Jeremiah faced betrayal and threats from his own community, modern-day ministers may encounter resistance, criticism, and even personal attacks. This passage reminds ministers that their ultimate accountability is to God, not to human approval.
Moreover, Jeremiah’s unwavering trust in God’s justice serves as an example for believers to follow. In times of adversity, it is tempting to seek revenge or to compromise the truth for the sake of peace. However, Jeremiah demonstrates the importance of entrusting one’s cause to God and relying on his righteous judgment.
The passage also highlights the cost of a discipleship and the reality of suffering in the Christian life. Following God’s call often requires sacrifice and perseverance, but it is accompanied by the assurance of his presence and vindication. Ministers today are encouraged to find strength and courage in God’s faithfulness, knowing that their labor is not vain.
Finally, Jeremiah’s First Confession challenges believers to reflect on their response to God’s word. The people of Anathoth rejected the prophet’s message and faced severe consequences for their rebellion. This serves as a warning against hardening one’s heart and an invitation to embrace God’s truth with humility and obedience.
The Confessions of Jeremiah
Claude Mariottini
Emeritus Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary
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