“Let all the people say, ‘Amen!’” Perhaps Jeremiah had been meditating on Psalm 106:48, because this is how he responded when God proposed a covenant with him. As a preacher, I appreciate a resounding “Amen” from the congregation once in a while. “Amen” is a word we use to express strong agreement. It means “Yes,” or “That’s right,” or “Let it be so.” At the start of Jeremiah 11, the prophet is presented with a covenant which the LORD was offering the people of Judah. This covenant includes words of blessing, but it starts with a curse. So this is serious business. Be careful, Jeremiah; don’t sign anything yet! Read the terms carefully, including the fine print! Upon examination, “the words of this covenant” require nothing less than universal obedience. If God’s people obey its terms, they will enjoy an intimate and secure relationship with Him, along with material prosperity in the promised land. But a curse will go into effect the moment the terms of this contract are broken by failing to “do all” that He commands (v 1-5a). Would you accept the covenant God proposes? Jeremiah doesn't seem to hesitate at all. “Then I answered, ’So be it, LORD’” (v 5b). Or as the NLT puts it, “Amen, LORD! May it be so.” I wonder if his hand was shaking as he signed the dotted line on behalf of God’s people, agreeing to all these curses for disobedience and blessings for obedience. Did he start to get nervous when God told him to publicize this covenant throughout the whole land, reminding everyone of their evil hearts and long history of stubborn rebellion? (v 6-8). Realizing that God has the right to demand obedience and that His law is just and right and good for us, we too must add our own “Amen” to the words of this covenant. But like the people of Judah, we serve our own idols. False gods never actually deliver on their promises, so we go from one to the next. Idols tend to multiply until they are as numerous as the streets in our cities (v 9-13). As a result, we stand under the same curse as the house of Israel. God had planted her to be a beautiful and fruitful olive tree, but now He is sending a lightning storm of judgment and she will be consumed with fire. Such is the curse of God against sin. And since all of us have failed to keep the Law of God, we stand under the same curse (v 14-17). Thankfully, like Jeremiah, Jesus Christ also said “Amen” to the covenant between God and His people. By His death on the cross, He accepted upon Himself the curse we deserved. And because of His faithfulness, every promise of divine blessing has been secured for those who trust in Him. “Let all the people say, ‘Amen!’” For further meditation: