Jeremiah 11:5
This was in order to establish the oath I swore to your forefathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is to this day." "Amen, LORD," I answered.
This was in order to establish the oath I swore to your forefathers
This phrase refers to the covenant God made with the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This covenant is foundational in the biblical narrative, promising land, descendants, and blessing (Genesis 12:1-3, 15:18-21). The oath signifies God's unchanging faithfulness and commitment to His promises. The historical context includes the Israelites' journey from Egypt to Canaan, emphasizing God's intention to fulfill His promises despite Israel's repeated disobedience.

to give them a land flowing with milk and honey
This expression describes the Promised Land's abundance and fertility, symbolizing prosperity and divine blessing. The phrase is first mentioned in Exodus 3:8 and recurs throughout the Pentateuch. Geographically, it refers to the land of Canaan, known for its agricultural richness. Archaeological findings support the region's historical productivity. Culturally, this promise contrasts with the Israelites' experience in Egypt, highlighting the transformation from slavery to freedom and abundance.

as it is to this day.
This phrase underscores the continuity and reality of God's promise being fulfilled. It suggests that the land's condition at the time of Jeremiah's writing still reflected God's faithfulness. Historically, this period was marked by political turmoil, yet the land's inherent potential remained. Theologically, it serves as a reminder of God's enduring covenant, despite Israel's unfaithfulness.

“Amen, LORD,” I answered.
Jeremiah's response of "Amen" signifies agreement and acceptance of God's word. The term "Amen" is a Hebrew word meaning "truly" or "so be it," often used to affirm truth. This response reflects Jeremiah's role as a prophet who acknowledges God's sovereignty and righteousness. It also connects to the broader biblical theme of human agreement with divine will, seen in other scriptural affirmations (e.g., Nehemiah 8:6, Revelation 22:20).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Judah, often warning them of the consequences of their disobedience.

2. Forefathers
Refers to the patriarchs of Israel, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to whom God made promises regarding the land of Canaan.

3. Land Flowing with Milk and Honey
A description of the Promised Land, symbolizing abundance and God's provision.

4. The Oath
The covenant God made with the patriarchs, promising them the land of Canaan as an inheritance for their descendants.

5. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, to whom Jeremiah was primarily sent to prophesy.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness to His Promises
God is faithful to fulfill His promises, as seen in His commitment to the covenant with the forefathers. This encourages us to trust in His promises today.

The Importance of Obedience
The promise of the land was contingent upon Israel's obedience. Similarly, our blessings often require us to walk in obedience to God's Word.

The Role of Affirmation in Faith
Jeremiah's response, "Amen, LORD," signifies agreement and trust in God's plan. We are called to affirm God's promises in our lives with faith.

The Abundance of God's Provision
The imagery of a land flowing with milk and honey reminds us of God's desire to provide abundantly for His people. We should recognize and be grateful for His provisions.

Covenant Relationship with God
The covenant with the forefathers highlights the relational aspect of God's promises. We are invited into a covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the promise of a "land flowing with milk and honey" reflect God's character and His intentions for His people?

2. In what ways can we see God's faithfulness in our own lives, similar to His faithfulness to the forefathers?

3. How does Jeremiah's response, "Amen, LORD," challenge us in our own faith journey?

4. What are some areas in our lives where we need to practice obedience to experience God's promises fully?

5. How can we cultivate a deeper understanding of our covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and what practical steps can we take to live it out daily?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 12
God's initial promise to Abraham about making him a great nation and giving his descendants the land.

Exodus 3
God's promise to Moses to bring the Israelites out of Egypt to a land flowing with milk and honey.

Deuteronomy 6
Moses reminds the Israelites of God's covenant and the importance of obedience to inherit the land.

Hebrews 11
The faith of the patriarchs in God's promises, even when they did not see them fulfilled in their lifetimes.
The Response of the Spiritual Conscience to the Words of GodA.F. Muir Jeremiah 11:5
The Soul's AmenF. B. Meyer, B. A.Jeremiah 11:5
The Covenant with the Fathers Binding on the ChildrenD. Young Jeremiah 11:1-12
People
Anathoth, Jeremiah
Places
Anathoth, Egypt, Jerusalem, Zion
Topics
Amen, Confirm, Effect, Establish, Fathers, Flowing, Forefathers, Honey, Milk, O, Oath, Order, Perform, Possess, Sware, Swore, Sworn
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 11:5

     1461   truth, nature of

Jeremiah 11:1-5

     5783   agreement
     7258   promised land, early history

Jeremiah 11:1-8

     7223   exodus, significance

Jeremiah 11:2-5

     1443   revelation, OT

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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