1. Jeremiah 11:5 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why does Jeremiah respond to the Lord by saying, “So be it, Lord”?

Jeremiah 11:5 (ESV)

5 that I may confirm the oath that I swore to your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as at this day.” Then I answered, “So be it, LORD.”

When the Lord renewed the covenant with Israel through Moses the liturgy included the people responding by agreeing to the curses (Deuteronomy 27:15–26). Jeremiah responds in the same way here expressing his acceptance that the curse still hangs over the Lord’s people.1