Like Isaiah and Ezekiel, the Book of Jeremiah is categorized
in the “Major Prophets”. As stated
before, the qualification for being considered among the major prophets is the
length of the book, rather than being of superior importance. Jeremiah has been called the “weeping
prophet” due to his experiences, seeing the fall of Judah and Jerusalem. He wrote of these events with a heavy
heart. As we read Jeremiah we can sense
a sincere sharing of the suffering of the people during this tragic time in the History of God’s people. We can sense
how it made his heart ache when his attempts to warn the people of God’s
imminent judgment fell on deaf ears.
Also like Isaiah, the Book of Jeremiah is rather challenging to study,
as the order is jumbled and difficult to arrange in chronological sequence. At times the dates are clear, but more often
they are difficult to determine. Many theologians
have explained this as being in a somewhat hectic order because Jeremiah’s life
and times in Jerusalem was during a hectic time.
Jeremiah acted as a spokesman for God for a period of forty
years. His ministry spanned the reigns
of five different kings of Judah:
Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. His closest contemporary was Habakkuk. Jeremiah had witnessed so much tragedy and
violence. He was in Jerusalem when one
of Judah’s kings was killed in an ill-advised war with Egypt. Another was taken captive to Egypt. Judah’s last sitting king was captured by the
Babylonians, was forced to watch his sons killed, was blinded, then taken away
to Babylon in total disgrace. Jeremiah
knew this was not what God had planned for His people, and tried to subvert it with his preaching. Jeremiah was also around when there was so
much turbulence in the world. The aggressive
Assyrians had already conquered and taken Israel into captivity, only to be later destroyed by the Babylonians. It would
have seemed to a man like Jeremiah that the whole world was becoming large and powerful
except Judah.
Jeremiah Chapter 1
The first three verses serve as somewhat of a preface to his
entire book. This seemed to be all the
information one needed as a preface. It
says his father was Hilkiah, a priest.
They lived in Anathoth, which was a small suburb of Jerusalem in the
territory of Benjamin. It goes on to
state the dates of Jeremiah’s ministry as beginning in the thirteenth year of
Josiah’s reign through the captivity and exile.
This would be approximately 627-580 BC.
Verses 1:4-19 - God Calls Jeremiah
Verses 4 and 5 is the actual call from God to Jeremiah. It says in verse 4 that “the word of the Lord
came to me…..” That in itself puts
Jeremiah in a special group. God had not
spoken directly to many individuals.
Then God says in verse 5 something I find interesting. He says that He chose Jeremiah as His
spokesman even before Jeremiah was born.
I believe many servants of God are chosen this early. Jeremiah’s response was not surprising: He said he was too young. This is just another way of saying that he
was not qualified, or that he was not qualified YET. But God seems to have chosen only humble
people. Notice in verse 8 when God gave
to him the most comforting and encouraging words possible: “Don’t be afraid…..I am with you and will
protect you.” Verses 9 and 10 are both
special. First God placed His hand on
Jeremiah’s mouth, assuring him that his words will be directly from God
Himself. Then in verse 10 God is
forewarning Jeremiah that his task will be filled with turbulence, resistance,
and difficulty. The task ahead was not
going to be pleasant. {God knew that
only a very special person would be able to withstand what was ahead and still deliver
God’s messages to the Israelites. Then
in this calling of Jeremiah, God previews some of the difficulties Jeremiah
will experience. But God warns him not
to let up or compromise the word of God.
If you read 17-19 you will see God telling him something I have often
said: It is easier to stand against the
threats of men that to try to stand against the threats of God. And then it says “if God be for me, who can
stand against me”. {This is an excellent
saying to memorize and get into the habit of saying to yourself. It has gotten me through a number of
difficult situations.}
Chapter 2 - God’s Indictment Against His People
God’s charge against His people is simply about his
faithfulness compared to their unfaithfulness.
He mentions throughout the chapter the thing He hates: Idol worship, even naming a few of the
specific idols they have yielded to.
Then in verse 35 God mentions through Jeremiah that the people insist
that “I am innocent”. {They just don’t
get it. No wonder God is so fed
up.}
Chapter 3:1-4:4
- Judah Needs to Repent
God appeals to Judah through Jeremiah throughout these
verses. He uses the analogy of a
husband-wife relationship. Look how many
times God pleads with His people to “Return” to Him. He makes it clear in verse 18 that if they do
not repent they will follow the path of Israel and see themselves as a nation
destroyed, but His words seem to have little if any impact on a people too
entrenched in a sinful and Godless lifestyle to understand they have been on
the wrong path.
Chapter 4:5-6:30
- The Imminent Punishment
In these chapters Jeremiah repeats two points over and over:
1. God’s judgment was inevitable, and 2. He has good reasons for His
disappointment. Look at verse 18 where
He says, “Your own conduct and actions have brought this on you. This is your punishment. How bitter it is! How it pierces to the heart!” As you read this book you will notice
unmistakable words, such as 5:7 saying “Why should I forgive you?” He accuses them of not only idol-worship, but
also adultery, lying, injustice, greed, forsaking the orphans and widows,
picking on the poor, stealing land and other property, just to mention a
few. But then in 6:15 he says, “Are they
ashamed of their detestable conduct: No,
they have no shame at all…” Also
included in these verses is the announcement that an army from a foreign land
will invade Judah and defeat them, which is exactly what is about to happen.
Next Post: Jeremiah
Continues to Appeal to Judah
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