Jeremiah 10-11

Jeremiah 10
1-16 Idolatry Has Brought Ruin on Israel

1-4 Do not be like "the nations," dismayed at meaningless signs in the heavens, cutting down a tree, forming it into an idol and decking it with precious metals.
5 Their idols are no more than "scarecrows in a cucumber field" who can do neither evil nor good.
6-9 In all the earth none are like the LORD, who makes the wisest on earth look stupid because they listen to idols, mere products of skilled artisans.
10 But the LORD, the true God, will shake the earth in his indignation.
11-13 Tell them: The gods who did not create the earth will perish, for it is the LORD who created the world, whose voice causes tumultuous storms.
14-16 Stupid and ignorant makers of idols are put to shame by their impotent idols, unlike the LORD, the one who formed all things.

17-25 The Coming Exile
17-18 Get ready, says the LORD, for he is about to "sling out" the inhabitants of the land.
19-21 Lament of Jeremiah on behalf of Jerusalem: I must bear my punishment, the destruction of my temple, the desertion of my children, because the leaders did not inquire of the LORD.
22 Listen to the commotion coming from the north to desolate the land of Judah.
23-24 I know we cannot direct our own steps; correct us with a just measure, not in anger.
25-26 Rather pour out all your wrath on the nations who do not know you, who have devoured us.

Jeremiah 11
1-17 Israel and Judah Have Broken the Covenant

• The LORD to Jeremiah: Tell the people of Jerusalem they will be cursed if they don't obey the words of the covenant that I gave your ancestors when they left Egypt, when I promised to give them the land flowing with milk and honey.
• I warned their ancestors against the evil of disobedience, but they did not listen.
• Both Israel and Judah have refused to heed my words; therefore, when they cry, I will not listen.
  
• Then they'll call on their false gods, who cannot help, gods who are as plentiful as the towns of Judah, with as many altars as streets in Jerusalem.
• Do not pray for your people, for I will not listen. They have no more right in my house than an unfaithful wife.
• I planted your people as my green olive tree to which I must now set fire.

18-23 Jeremiah's Life Threatened

18-20 Jeremiah: The LORD made known these things to me, but others devised schemes against me. But LORD, you judge righteously; let me see your retribution on them.

• Says the LORD concerning the Anathoth people (Jeremiah's townspeople, 1:1) Those who threaten you, Jeremiah, shall die by the sword and by famine, with not a remnant left of them.