The covenant of Jehovah with Israel, called the first covenant and also the old covenant (Heb. 8:7, 13), was the covenant of the law of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1—24:8). The law, which itself is holy, righteous, good, and spiritual (Rom. 7:12, 14, 16a), became weak through man’s flesh (Rom. 8:3a). The law of the Ten Commandments was given to test man and expose man as to his genuine nature and condition (Rom. 3:20b; Rom. 5:20a; Rom. 7:7b). Through their failure under the test of the law, Israel was to learn that they were unable to keep the law and that they had no righteousness by the law (Rom. 8:3a; Rom. 9:31; 10:3). They were also to come to know that they needed Christ to be Jehovah as their righteousness (Jer. 23:6b; Jer. 33:16b; 1 Cor. 1:30), and they needed to have the divine life with its law in the new covenant of God (Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8:8-12; 10:16-17).

Israel broke the covenant of the law by their idolatrous worship (vv. 10, 13, 15, 17b; Jer. 13:10, 27a) and also by their evil conduct (vv. 8, 10, 19; 12:4a). By these two things they completely annulled the law, making it of no effect to them. See note Jer. 5:1¹.

Although God’s intention in giving Israel His law was to test and expose them, He still needed to punish them for the sake of His righteousness and holiness.

Jeremiah’s prayer for vengeance was contrary to the New Testament teaching, which tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matt. 5:44). Cf. note Psa. 3:7¹.