The Lord continues his response to Jeremiah and reveals the intensity of the opposition that he is facing. For the first time the reader is given the details of what the Lord has shown Jeremiah (Jeremiah 11:18). It is not just the people of Anathoth who are against him, but even your brothers and the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; they are in full cry after you.
His own family is part of the plot against him. The Lord warns Jeremiah not to believe his own family even though they speak friendly words to him. Part of their treachery against Jeremiah is to appear friendly on the surface while plotting his death with those who opposed him.1
When the Lord makes Jeremiah aware of the plot against his life because of the message he is preaching, he cries out to the Lord for justice. The Lord responds initially by saying that he will bring judgment on those who plot against his prophet (Jeremiah 11:22–23). But when Jeremiah continues by complaining to the Lord about the injustice of his situation, the Lord’s response is surprising because he simply tells Jeremiah to strengthen his resolve because things are only going to get worse. Suffering is part of Jeremiah’s ministry as a prophet. The plot against him and the injustice of it is almost inseparable from the suffering of the people. Jeremiah is called to announce the very unpopular message of judgment against Judah, but because he is part of the nation, he too suffers the consequences of the very judgment that he announces.2
6 For even your brothers and the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; they are in full cry after you; do not believe them, though they speak friendly words to you.”