Jeremiah 11:18–12:4 is the first of a series of intimate conversations between Jeremiah and Yahweh about Jeremiah’s struggles (see 11:18–12:6; 15:10–21; 17:14–18; 18:18–23; 20:7–18). These are known as “Jeremiah’s Confessions.”

The first of these Confessions arose from a threat against the prophet’s life from the residents of his hometown. Jeremiah was made aware of the plot, turned to God in prayer, and received both and encouragement of future judgement for his enemies and an exhortation to persevere in the face of even greater hardships to come.