Jeremiah 11:3-4

Yahweh, Israel’s God, announced a curse on any of His people who did not obey the covenant that He gave their forefathers when He liberated them from their Egyptian hardships (cf. Deuteronomy 4:20; Deuteronomy 11:28; Deuteronomy 27:26; Deuteronomy 28:15-19; Deuteronomy 29:20-21; 1 Kings 8:51; Isaiah 48:10). At that time, the Lord had commanded the Israelites to listen to His voice and to be completely obedient (cf. Exodus 19:5-6). By promising to do so, they entered into a covenant relationship with Yahweh; they became His special people and He became their national God (cf. Jeremiah 7:23; Jeremiah 24:7; Jeremiah 32:38).

"Ancient Near Eastern international treaties normally contained a section of benedictions and maledictions which were expected to occur according to whether or not the covenant was horoured." [Note: Harrison, Jeremiah and . . ., p. 95.]