Jeremiah 6:11 - Therefore I am full of Yahweh’s wrath. I am weary with holding it in. “Pour it out on the children in the street, and on the assembly of young men together; for even the husband with the wife will be taken, the aged with him who is full of days.
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What does "Jeremiah 6:11" mean?
Jeremiah 6:11 is a powerful and disturbing verse expressing the prophet Jeremiah's overwhelming sense of God's impending judgment on the people of Judah. Let's break it down:
"Therefore I am full of Yahweh's wrath. I am weary with holding it in." This first part reveals Jeremiah's emotional state. He is not expressing his own personal anger, but rather feeling the weight of God's wrath against the sins of the people. He's overwhelmed and physically and emotionally exhausted from trying to contain the powerful message of judgment he is compelled to deliver. It's like he's a vessel filled to overflowing with God's righteous anger.
"Pour it out on the children in the street, and on the assembly of young men together; for even the husband with the wife will be taken, the aged with him who is full of days." This part describes the widespread nature of the judgment. Jeremiah is saying that God's wrath will not be selective.
"Children in the street" and "assembly of young men together": These represent the young and innocent, who are still not immune to the consequences of the older generations' sins. The young men would have gathered for social or recreational activities, and the street children were likely vulnerable and marginalized.
"Husband with the wife": This signifies the destruction of families and the breakdown of the social order.
"The aged with him who is full of days": This represents the elders and those nearing the end of their lives, suggesting that even those with wisdom and experience will not escape the judgment.
In essence, the verse signifies:
God's overwhelming judgment: The verse emphasizes the severity and scope of God's coming judgment on Judah due to their unrepentant sin.
Indiscriminate suffering: The judgment will affect all segments of society, regardless of age or status. This doesn't necessarily imply that God is unjust, but rather that the pervasive corruption has reached every level, and all will face the consequences.
Jeremiah's burden: The prophet feels the immense burden of delivering this message, a message that is so heavy it is almost unbearable.
Collective responsibility: While not every individual may be equally guilty, the verse suggests that the sins of the society as a whole have led to a point where everyone will suffer the consequences.
Important Considerations:
Prophetic Language: It's important to understand that prophetic language often uses strong imagery and hyperbole to convey the urgency and severity of the message. This doesn't necessarily mean a literal, physical destruction of every single person.
Theological Context: The Old Testament prophets often used the concept of divine judgment to call people to repentance. The purpose was not to revel in destruction, but to warn people of the consequences of their actions and to call them back to God.
Justice vs. Suffering: The verse raises difficult questions about divine justice and the suffering of the innocent. There are different theological perspectives on this issue. Some argue that God is ultimately just and that suffering, even when it appears indiscriminate, serves a greater purpose. Others see it as a mystery beyond human comprehension.
Thematic connection: This verse is part of a larger theme in the Book of Jeremiah where God calls the people of Judah to repent from their idolatry and social injustice. Because the people have not repented, Jeremiah prophesies the invasion of Judah by foreign armies and the destruction of Jerusalem.
Ultimately, Jeremiah 6:11 is a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of heeding God's warnings. It emphasizes the prophet's difficult role as a messenger of judgment and the responsibility of the entire community for its collective actions.
Jeremiah 6:11 - Therefore I am full of Yahweh’s wrath. I am weary with holding it in. “Pour it out on the children in the street, and on the assembly of young men together; for even the husband with the wife will be taken, the aged with him who is full of days.
What does "Jeremiah 6:11" mean?
Jeremiah 6:11 is a powerful and disturbing verse expressing the prophet Jeremiah's overwhelming sense of God's impending judgment on the people of Judah. Let's break it down:
"Therefore I am full of Yahweh's wrath. I am weary with holding it in." This first part reveals Jeremiah's emotional state. He is not expressing his own personal anger, but rather feeling the weight of God's wrath against the sins of the people. He's overwhelmed and physically and emotionally exhausted from trying to contain the powerful message of judgment he is compelled to deliver. It's like he's a vessel filled to overflowing with God's righteous anger.
"Pour it out on the children in the street, and on the assembly of young men together; for even the husband with the wife will be taken, the aged with him who is full of days." This part describes the widespread nature of the judgment. Jeremiah is saying that God's wrath will not be selective.
"Children in the street" and "assembly of young men together": These represent the young and innocent, who are still not immune to the consequences of the older generations' sins. The young men would have gathered for social or recreational activities, and the street children were likely vulnerable and marginalized.
"Husband with the wife": This signifies the destruction of families and the breakdown of the social order.
"The aged with him who is full of days": This represents the elders and those nearing the end of their lives, suggesting that even those with wisdom and experience will not escape the judgment.
In essence, the verse signifies:
God's overwhelming judgment: The verse emphasizes the severity and scope of God's coming judgment on Judah due to their unrepentant sin.
Indiscriminate suffering: The judgment will affect all segments of society, regardless of age or status. This doesn't necessarily imply that God is unjust, but rather that the pervasive corruption has reached every level, and all will face the consequences.
Jeremiah's burden: The prophet feels the immense burden of delivering this message, a message that is so heavy it is almost unbearable.
Collective responsibility: While not every individual may be equally guilty, the verse suggests that the sins of the society as a whole have led to a point where everyone will suffer the consequences.
Important Considerations:
Prophetic Language: It's important to understand that prophetic language often uses strong imagery and hyperbole to convey the urgency and severity of the message. This doesn't necessarily mean a literal, physical destruction of every single person.
Theological Context: The Old Testament prophets often used the concept of divine judgment to call people to repentance. The purpose was not to revel in destruction, but to warn people of the consequences of their actions and to call them back to God.
Justice vs. Suffering: The verse raises difficult questions about divine justice and the suffering of the innocent. There are different theological perspectives on this issue. Some argue that God is ultimately just and that suffering, even when it appears indiscriminate, serves a greater purpose. Others see it as a mystery beyond human comprehension.
Thematic connection: This verse is part of a larger theme in the Book of Jeremiah where God calls the people of Judah to repent from their idolatry and social injustice. Because the people have not repented, Jeremiah prophesies the invasion of Judah by foreign armies and the destruction of Jerusalem.
Ultimately, Jeremiah 6:11 is a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of heeding God's warnings. It emphasizes the prophet's difficult role as a messenger of judgment and the responsibility of the entire community for its collective actions.