Jeremiah 11  This message declares God's pronouncement of judgement on both Israel and Judah for the breaking of the Covenant established in the wilderness after they were delivered from Egypt.  Israel had agreed to the terms of this Covenant with God.  They agree to do all that God commanded. They were told of the consequences for failing to obey the Word.   They had agreed to listen to His voice and do according to all which He commanded.  They had agreed to be His people and that He would be their God.

Over and over, for all of those years.. through " solemn" and persistent warnings, God continued to call them to Himself saying, " Listen to My voice."  

" Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked, each one in the stubbornness of his evil heart."  They conspired. They rebelled. They broke the covenant... they " refused to hear My words", the Lord says.. and now they are before the judge, found guilty, and convicted.  The Lord is bringing disaster  upon Judah. There will be no escape.  Jeremiah is told not to pray for them or even cry for them.
It is too late for them to turn back.  It is too late for them to pray.  He is no longer listening..

The Lord still considered them His people, " .. My Beloved.." ( v15); "A green olive tree, beautiful in fruit and form".   But, they no longer had any right in His house.  He found worthless branches on that once beautiful tree, so it would be burned with fire.

Jeremiah's message of judgement and of the coming disaster was not taken well.  People from his hometown of Anathoth plotted against him.  They told him to stop prophesying in the name of the Lord or they would kill him.  Instead, the Lord declared that they and their children would be the ones to die.

It is vital that we "Listen" to the voice of our God.  We must incline our ears!  As we have read before.. Jesus reminded His followers, " He who has ears to hear, let him hear"! ( Luke 8:8). Jesus calls out this warning/instruction in the context of the parable of the sower.  The seed was sown in all the land.. but only the "good soil" received it and bore fruit.  The Word of God is preached to all people, but only those who receive it.. who incline their ears, and take care how they listen.. will find the Life-giving truth.   Judah had become "worthless branches".. thrown in the fire. Likewise, anyone who does not take care to listen and to do what the Lord tells us through His Word, will be removed from the Vine and burned.  ( John 15:1-6)

"Abide in Me and I in you.. " Jesus invites us.  He is the True vine.  We are the branches.  It is in the abiding that we can "do" anything at all.  "If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask what you wish, and it shall be done for you."  We can not abide in Jesus unless we are abiding in His Word and doing what He commands.  He commands us to "love one another" just as He has loved us.  Our abiding in Jesus and in His Word will be exhibited in our relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Father in heaven,  Your Word is sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.  It is a lamp to our feet and a light for our paths.  Your Word keeps us from sin and unites us to the true vine,  Jesus.  Your Word fills our hearts and minds with those things that are good, lovely, pure, and holy.  Let Your Word dwell in us richly, filling us to the full, making us complete in our Savior and Lord.  It is in this abiding with Jesus that we offer our prayer.. Thy will be done.  Amen.