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.
13 Only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled against the LORD your God and scattered your favors among foreigners under every green tree, and that you have not obeyed my voice,declares the LORD.