Jeremiah 11:5

That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as [it is] this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD.

That I may perform {H6965} the oath {H7621} which I have sworn {H7650} unto your fathers {H1}, to give {H5414} them a land {H776} flowing {H2100} with milk {H2461} and honey {H1706}, as it is this day {H3117}. Then answered {H6030} I, and said {H559}, So be it {H543}, O LORD {H3068}.

so that I can fulfill the oath that I swore to your ancestors, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is today."'" Then I responded, "Amen, ADONAI."

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.

that I may establish the oath which I sware unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as at this day. Then answered I, and said, Amen, O Jehovah.

Jeremiah 11:5 captures a pivotal moment in God's interaction with Judah through the prophet Jeremiah. It underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His ancient promises, contrasting sharply with the nation's contemporary disobedience.

Historical and Cultural Context

The book of Jeremiah is set during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, just before and during the Babylonian exile. God is confronting His people for their widespread idolatry and covenant breaking. This specific verse is part of what is known as the "covenant lawsuit" (Jeremiah 11:1-17), where God reminds Israel of the terms of the covenant He made with their ancestors. The phrase "the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers" refers to God's solemn promise, first made to Abraham and later reaffirmed to Isaac and Jacob, to give their descendants the land of Canaan.

The description of this land as "a land flowing with milk and honey" is a classic biblical idiom, first found in Exodus 3:8, symbolizing abundance, fertility, and divine blessing. God emphasizes "as [it is] this day," highlighting that despite their current unfaithfulness, they still possess the land, a testament to His enduring commitment to His promises.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Unwavering Faithfulness: The verse powerfully declares God's steadfastness in fulfilling His covenant obligations, even when His people fail. His promises are not dependent on human performance alone, but on His divine character.
  • The Covenant Relationship: It highlights the foundational covenant between God and Israel, a relationship built on divine promise and human responsibility. The land itself was a tangible sign of this covenant.
  • Jeremiah's Affirmation: The prophet's response, "So be it, O LORD," is a profound personal affirmation. It reflects his complete agreement and submission to God's righteous judgment and truth, even when it involves delivering difficult messages to his own people.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "So be it, O LORD" is a direct translation of the Hebrew word Amen (אָמֵן). This word signifies affirmation, agreement, and truth. When Jeremiah says "Amen," he is not merely acknowledging God's words but is personally endorsing them as true and just, aligning his will with God's. This strong affirmation is a key element of prophetic integrity.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 11:5 reminds believers today of God's enduring faithfulness. Just as He kept His ancient promises to Israel, He remains faithful to His promises to us through Christ. This verse encourages us to reflect on:

  • God's Reliability: His character is unchanging, and His word is trustworthy, providing a firm foundation for our faith.
  • Our Response to God's Word: Like Jeremiah, we are called to affirm God's truth, even when it challenges us or requires difficult obedience. Our "Amen" should be a heartfelt declaration of agreement and submission.
  • The Blessings of Obedience: While the land was a physical blessing for Israel, God continues to offer spiritual blessings and a promised inheritance to those who walk in covenant with Him, as seen in the spiritual blessings found in Christ.
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.

  • Deuteronomy 7:12

    ¶ Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers:

  • Deuteronomy 7:13

    And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

  • Psalms 105:9

    Which [covenant] he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;

  • Psalms 105:11

    Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance:

  • Jeremiah 28:6

    Even the prophet Jeremiah said, Amen: the LORD do so: the LORD perform thy words which thou hast prophesied, to bring again the vessels of the LORD'S house, and all that is carried away captive, from Babylon into this place.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:16

    Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

  • Exodus 13:5

    And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month.

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