Jeremiah 11:4

Which I commanded your fathers in the day [that] I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God:

Which I commanded {H6680} your fathers {H1} in the day {H3117} that I brought them forth {H3318} out of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, from the iron {H1270} furnace {H3564}, saying {H559}, Obey {H8085} my voice {H6963}, and do {H6213} them, according to all which I command {H6680} you: so shall ye be my people {H5971}, and I will be your God {H430}:

which I enjoined on your ancestors at the time that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of that iron-smelter. I said, "Listen to my voice, and carry out all my orders; then you will be my people, and I will be your God;

which I commanded your forefathers when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace, saying, ‘Obey Me, and do everything I command you, and you will be My people, and I will be your God.’

which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God;

Jeremiah 11:4 is a powerful reminder of God's foundational covenant with Israel, delivered through the prophet Jeremiah during a period of national apostasy. The verse recalls the very beginning of their special relationship with Yahweh, emphasizing the conditions for His continued blessing and presence.

Context of Jeremiah 11:4

The prophet Jeremiah was called by God to deliver stern warnings to the kingdom of Judah concerning their widespread idolatry and unfaithfulness to the covenant. In chapter 11, God instructs Jeremiah to proclaim the words of this covenant to the people of Judah and Jerusalem, reminding them of the agreement He made with their ancestors. This particular verse harks back to the pivotal moment of their deliverance from slavery, setting the stage for God's enduring expectation of obedience.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Deliverance and Redemption: The phrase "I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace" vividly describes God's mighty act of saving Israel from severe oppression. The "iron furnace" is a powerful metaphor for the harsh, refining crucible of Egyptian bondage, from which God miraculously freed His people. This highlights God's sovereignty and His initiative in establishing the relationship.
  • The Covenant Foundation: This verse reiterates the core terms of the Mosaic Covenant established at Mount Sinai. God's promise to be their God and for them to be His people was contingent upon their faithfulness. This reciprocal relationship was the bedrock of Israel's identity and prosperity.
  • The Call to Obedience: The command "Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you" underscores that obedience was not optional but central to maintaining their covenant standing. It was a call to active submission to God's laws and statutes, which were given for their good and blessing.

Linguistic Insights

The term "iron furnace" (Hebrew: kur barzel) is a striking metaphor found also in Deuteronomy 4:20. It powerfully conveys the intense suffering and oppressive conditions of slavery in Egypt, from which God delivered them. This phrase emphasizes the depth of their former bondage and the magnitude of God's liberating power.

Related Scriptures

This verse directly recalls the foundational covenant promises made after the Exodus. The command to obey God's voice and the promise of a covenant relationship echo the initial declaration in Exodus 19:5, where God states, "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people." The covenant formula, "so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God," is a recurring theme throughout scripture, signifying a deep, exclusive relationship, and is even echoed in the promise of the new covenant in Jeremiah 31:33.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 11:4 serves as a timeless reminder for believers today. Just as God delivered Israel from physical bondage, He offers spiritual deliverance from the "furnace" of sin and its consequences. Our relationship with God is also founded on a covenant, sealed by Christ's sacrifice, which calls for our obedience and faithfulness. This verse encourages us to remember God's past acts of redemption in our lives and to respond with a heart of obedience, trusting that His commands are always for our ultimate good and to deepen our relationship with Him.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Leviticus 26:12

    And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.

  • Deuteronomy 4:20

    But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, [even] out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as [ye are] this day.

  • Jeremiah 7:22

    For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices:

  • Jeremiah 7:23

    But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

  • 1 Kings 8:51

    For they [be] thy people, and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest forth out of Egypt, from the midst of the furnace of iron:

  • Jeremiah 24:7

    And I will give them an heart to know me, that I [am] the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:16

    And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

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