Jeremiah 11:6

Then the Lord said unto me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them.

Jeremiah 11:6 (KJV)

Context

Jeremiah ministered as a prophet during the final decades of the kingdom of Judah, from about 627 BC to 586 BC, a period marked by political turmoil and spiritual decline. In Jeremiah 11, the Lord sends Jeremiah to proclaim a message about the covenant that God had made with Israel at Sinai. That covenant bound the people to obey God’s commands, with blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience.

Meaning

The command to proclaim “all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem” shows that the message was urgent and public. It was not to be whispered in private but declared openly so that every citizen could hear. The phrase “all these words” refers to the covenant terms already stated in Jeremiah 11:1-5, which the people had broken. The call to “hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them” links hearing with doing: true hearing leads to obedience. Listening alone was not enough; the people were to act on what they heard.

Biblical connections

This verse echoes the covenant pattern found in Exodus 19:5-6, where God promised to make Israel His treasured people if they obeyed His voice. Jeremiah’s public proclamation also resembles the earlier reforms of King Josiah, who read the Book of the Law to all the people and led them to renew their commitment to the covenant (2 Kings 23:1-3).

Application

The people of Judah largely ignored Jeremiah’s warning, and their disobedience led to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile. This verse challenges believers today to examine whether they merely hear God’s word or actually put it into practice. Obedience is not optional; it is the proper response to God’s covenant love. Just as Jeremiah was called to proclaim the message publicly, Christians are called to share God’s truth faithfully and to live it out consistently.

Reflection

Jeremiah’s prophecies also contain hope. Even in judgment, God promised restoration for a repentant people. This verse reminds us that God’s covenant is not only about rules but about a relationship that demands a faithful response. Hearing God’s word should move us to action, and that action flows from a heart transformed by His grace.