1. Jérémie 3:13 (NEG79)
  2. Explication du texte

Why must Israel acknowledge their guilt that she rebelled against the Lord?

Jérémie 3:13 (NEG79)

13 Reconnais seulement ton iniquité, Reconnais que tu as été infidèle à l'Eternel, ton Dieu, Que tu as dirigé çà et là tes pas vers les dieux étrangers, Sous tout arbre vert, Et que tu n'as pas écouté ma voix, dit l'Eternel.

Receiving the Lord’s mercy ( Jeremiah 3:12) is not automatic. Israel must repent or turn back to the Lord. True repentance is not a human achievement that earns mercy, but rather an acknowledgement of guilt. The literal meaning here is to know your guilt.1 The people must see their guilt for what it is, without pretence (Jeremiah 3:10). The people must acknowledge that they have rebelled against the Lord their God. They have scattered their favors among foreigners under every green tree by turning to other gods. By refusing to listen to his prophets they have not obeyed the Lord. Repentance means acknowledging that in every way, the people have broken their covenant relationship with the Lord.