Jeremiah 34

This covenant was made when the siege was heavy; some time later the Babylonians temporarily halted the siege (verse 21). When that happened, the slave owners changed their minds and took back the slaves they had just set free (verse 11).

12–16 The Lord was angered that the slave owners had broken the covenant they had recently made in His presence—in His house, the temple (verse 15). They were like many people today who, when facing a crisis, make a promise to God; but then, when the crisis has passed, they go back on their promise. True promises, like true repentance, are never taken back.

17–22 The Lord told the people of Jerusalem that since they hadn’t freed their slaves, He would “free” the slave owners—that is, He would “free” them from His protection! Just as a calf is cut in two during the making of a covenant,¹⁰⁶ so they would be “cut in two” by the swords of the Babylonians (verses 18–20).