Jeremiah 18:11

¶ Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.

Now therefore go to, speak {H559} to the men {H376} of Judah {H3063}, and to the inhabitants {H3427} of Jerusalem {H3389}, saying {H559}, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}; Behold, I frame {H3335} evil {H7451} against you, and devise {H2803} a device {H4284} against you: return {H7725} ye now every one {H376} from his evil {H7451} way {H1870}, and make your ways {H1870} and your doings {H4611} good {H3190}.

"So now, tell the people of Y'hudah and those living in Yerushalayim that this is what ADONAI says: 'I am designing disaster for you, working out my plan against you. Turn, each of you, from his evil ways; improve your conduct and actions.'

Now therefore, tell the men of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem that this is what the LORD says: ‘Behold, I am planning a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways, and correct your ways and deeds.’

Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith Jehovah: Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your doings.

Jeremiah 18:11 presents a direct and urgent message from the LORD to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem through the prophet Jeremiah. It reveals God's impending judgment, described as 'framing evil' or 'devising a device' against them, which signifies a planned calamity or disaster due to their persistent sin. Crucially, this declaration of judgment is immediately followed by a powerful call to repentance: "return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good." This verse encapsulates the tension between divine justice and merciful invitation.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is situated within the broader context of Jeremiah's ministry, specifically following the profound illustration of the potter and the clay in Jeremiah 18:1-10. God had sent Jeremiah to the potter's house to demonstrate His sovereign power over nations, much like a potter shapes clay. The key takeaway from that analogy, directly preceding this verse, is that God's declarations of judgment or blessing are conditional. If a nation, against whom God has declared evil, repents, then God will relent from the disaster He intended (Jeremiah 18:7-8). Jeremiah 18:11 applies this principle directly to Judah and Jerusalem, who were deeply entrenched in idolatry and moral corruption, facing the threat of Babylonian invasion and exile.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Justice: The LORD declares His intent to bring disaster upon Judah, asserting His ultimate control over the destinies of nations. This 'evil' (Hebrew: ra'a) refers to calamity or punishment, not moral wickedness on God's part, highlighting His just response to their disobedience.
  • Conditional Judgment: Despite the strong declaration of impending doom, God's immediate call for repentance reveals His character. His judgments are not arbitrary or irreversible if His people turn back to Him. This offers a clear path to avert the prophesied disaster.
  • The Urgency of Repentance: The phrase "return ye now" emphasizes the immediate need for a change of heart and action. God provides a window of opportunity for His people to avoid the consequences of their actions by abandoning their sinful ways and living righteously. This call to repentance is a recurring theme throughout the prophetic books, demonstrating God's enduring patience and desire for His people's restoration.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "evil" in "I frame evil against you" is ra'a (רָעָה). While it can mean moral evil, in this context, it primarily refers to misfortune, disaster, or calamity, which is a consequence of their moral evil. God is not engaging in moral evil but is bringing about the just consequences of their actions. The phrase "return ye" comes from the Hebrew verb shuv (שׁוּב), a crucial theological term meaning "to turn," "to turn back," or "to repent." It signifies a complete change of direction, away from sin and back towards God and His commands, involving both a change of mind and action.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 18:11 holds timeless relevance. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is both just and merciful. For individuals and nations today, this verse underscores the principle that sinful choices lead to negative consequences, but God always offers a way out through genuine repentance. It encourages self-examination and a willingness to turn from "evil ways" and "make your ways and your doings good." This call to active repentance and righteous living is foundational for experiencing God's mercy instead of His judgment, echoing the broader biblical truth that if His people humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways, He will hear from heaven and forgive their sin.

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.

  • 2 Kings 17:13

    Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, [and by] all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments [and] my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.

  • Jeremiah 35:15

    I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending [them], saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.

  • Isaiah 1:16

    ¶ Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

  • Isaiah 1:19

    If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

  • Jeremiah 7:3

    Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.

  • Isaiah 55:6

    ¶ Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

  • Isaiah 55:7

    Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

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