God's Covenant

 Jeremiah 11:9–10 (ESV)

9Again the LORD said to me, “A conspiracy exists among the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
10They have turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, who refused to hear my words. They have gone after other gods to serve them. The house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant that I made with their fathers.

God is a covenant maker and the covenant he made with Israel on Mount Sinai had very specific requirements of the people as well as the blessings and curses God would pour out on them if they kept the covenant or rejected it. God is always faithful to fulfill his part of the covenant, and his expectation is that his people will also be obedient to do what he has required of them. Israel and Judah broke the covenant and began to serve the gods of the heathen nations in direct defiance of God. The city of Jerusalem that was known as the city of the Great King and the joy of the whole earth was now polluted with idols on the streets and worshiping the false god of Baal. It was a slap on the face to God who had delivered the people from Egyptian bondage and brought them into the Promised Land that was flowing with milk and honey. As a result, God fulfilled the covenant he made with them by bringing the punishment that was also part of the covenant. Jeremiah's life was threatened by the people who did not want to listen to his warnings. They sought to kill him, but God intervened and saved him. The messengers who bring the word of God that is in opposition to the people are always under persecution. People lost in sin and are in rebellion against God do not want to hear the truth and do whatever they can to deny it and silence the messengers. Truth will always prevail, and God will justly judge all who have killed his messengers and tried to perpetuate the lies that lead people astray.