The Book of Jeremiah: An Introduction to the
Prophet and His Prophecies
Introduction
1. Jeremiah is the second longest book in the Bible; it is
longest of the prophets and most historical of them all.
2. The prophets have long been my greatest weakness in
Bible knowledge; I never attended classes on Jeremiah.
3. Studying the prophets will make you more passionate
about God and less patient with human complaints.
4. Knowing the prophets helps us appreciate the faith of
our fathers that survived dungeon, fire, and sword.
I.
The Prophet
A.
Personal Background
1.
Jeremiah was the son of Hilkiah, a priest; it
is unknown whether Jeremiah ever served as priest.
a)
Though it seems likely, we do not know if it was his father who found the
law. (2Ki. 22:8)
b)
His hometown was Anathoth, a town in Benjamin
that belonged to the priests. (Jos 21:18)
2.
Jeremiah was called to prophesy at a young age. 1:4-8
a)
God knew Jeremiah before conception; he was sanctified by God before
birth. (Ps. 139:16)
b)
He was called by God as a prophet in 627 B.C. and was probably no more
than a teenager.
3.
Jeremiah’s ministry was a long one lasting more than four decades,
perhaps sixty or more years.
a)
From his call in 627 B.C. to the destruction of Jerusalem (586 B.C.) was
forty-one years.
b)
The last event recorded in the book occurred around 561 B.C., twenty-five
years later. 52:31
c)
This final historical note would have occurred sixty-six years after
Jeremiah was called.
4.
Jeremiah’s life was wholly devoted to his ministry; he lived to preach
God’s message.
a)
Because of the coming judgment, God forbade Jeremiah to marry. 16:1-4
b)
Not only was he forbidden to marry, Jeremiah could not attend feasts or
funerals. 16:5-9
c)
These seemingly harsh restrictions by the LORD served two important
purposes:
(1)
They enhanced the seriousness of the message Jeremiah preached.
¨
How credible would his warning be if he lived a normal life like
everyone else?
¨
How credible is our message if our lives do not reflect an
awareness of eternity?
(2)
They protected Jeremiah from the pain of losing loved ones and from
distraction.
¨
It would be better to never marry than to witness your family
being slaughtered.
¨
Jeremiah didn’t have distractions to ministry; he was focused on
his task.
B.
Political Background
1.
Jeremiah prophesied during the government of five kings and one governor.
a)
He began his ministry in the thirteenth year of King Josiah’s reign.
b)
His ministry spanned the next four kings: Jehoahaz,
Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah.
c)
Jeremiah also ministered while Gedaliah
served as the governor by Babylonian appointment.
2.
To fully appreciate the spiritual and political context, it is necessary
to go back several years.
a)
King Hezekiah was a good king and led many religious reforms within
Judah. 2Chr. 31:21
b)
But Hezekiah’s son, Manasseh, was the wickedest king ever to reign in
Judah. 2Chr. 33:1-9
(1)
His evil surpassed both the Canaanites and the northern Israelites.
3:11
(2)
Manasseh was not only the most wicked, he also reigned the longest.
(3)
God sent Manasseh to Assyria in chains where the king repented and was
restored.
(4)
Though Manasseh tried to undo his evil, judgment was inevitable. 2Ki.
24:3-4
c)
Manasseh’s son, Amon, was fully committed to the original evil of his
father. 2Ki. 21:19-22
(1)
King Amon’s servants formed a conspiracy and
assassinated him. 2Ki. 21:23-24
(2)
After the assassins were executed, eight-year old Josiah was installed on
the throne.
3.
King Josiah was an ally to righteousness and true, spiritual reformation.
2Chr. 34:2
a)
Josiah began to personally seek the LORD at the age of sixteen. 2Chr
34:3
b)
He instituted religious reforms at the age of twenty, one year before
Jeremiah’s call.
c)
Six years later, the law was discovered during a renovation of the
temple. 2Chr. 34:14
(1)
There was clearly some preservation of the law, at least oral, prior to
this time.
(2)
But the king’s reaction indicates that he heard new information. 2Chr.
34:18-21
(3)
It may have been Deuteronomy and/or Leviticus that was found. (Deut. 28;
Lev. 26)
d)
The preaching of Jeremiah would likely have been a powerful ally to
Josiah’s reforms.
4.
King Josiah was killed in battle while opposing Pharaoh
Necho’s campaign against Babylon.
a)
He did not want the Egyptians to reinforce Judah’s historic but weakened
foe, the Assyrians.
b)
Jeremiah lamented the death of King Josiah, an advocate for
righteousness. 2Chr. 35:25
5.
Josiah’s fourth son Jehoahaz (Shallum)
was made king in his father’s place. (22:11; 1Chr. 3:15)
a)
With the death of Josiah, Egypt gained power over Judah. 2Chr. 36:3-4
b)
Pharaoh deposed Jehoahaz, took him to Egypt,
and installed Jehoahaz’s brother as king.
c)
Pharaoh showed his power by crowning Eliakim
and changing his name to Jehoiakim.
6.
King Jehoiakim was a wicked politician with no true loyalties and utter
contempt for the LORD.
a)
Jehoiakim shifted alliances for political advantage, but it worked
against him. 2Ki. 24:1
b)
During Jehoiakim’s reign, Babylon grew in power and subdued Egypt.
2Ki. 24:7
c)
The first wave of captives was taken to Babylon during Jehoiakim’s reign.
(Da. 1:1-4)
d)
Jehoiakim’s wickedness can be seen in his response to God’s message and
messengers.
(1)
Jeremiah was arrested for preaching judgment early in the reign. 26:1,
8-11
(2)
Another prophet, Urijah, was hunted down and
executed by Jehoiakim. 26:20-23
(3)
The king burned Jeremiah’s book and sought to arrest him again.
36:21-26
e)
Finally, Jehoiakim rebelled against Babylon and was deposed and killed.
(1)
At first he was arrested with the intention of taking him to Babylon.
2Chr. 36:6
(2)
There is no indication that he ever went to Babylon, however. 22:18-19
(3)
Josephus confirms that Nebuchadnezzar threw his body out without burial.
10.6.2
7.
Jehoiakim’s son, Jehoiachin, reigned for
three months after his father’s death. 2Chr. 36:9
a)
He too was a wicked man, and Nebuchadnezzar took action to remove him.
2Chr. 36:10
b)
This was the second deportation of captives taken to Babylon from Judah.
c)
Jehoiachin survived captivity and was later
exalted among the prisoners. 2Ki. 25:27-30
8.
The final king to reign over Judah was Jehoiachin’s
uncle, Zedekiah. 2Ki. 24:17-20
a)
Zedekiah was the name Nebuchadnezzar gave to
Mattaniah, Josiah’s third son.
b)
Like his brothers, King Zedekiah was a wicked man who rejected God’s
word. 32:1-5
c)
God brought the Babylonians and destroyed Jerusalem during Zedekiah’s
reign. 52:4-14
(1)
Zedekiah’s sons were killed in front of him; then he was blinded.
(2)
Nebuchadnezzar removed the monarchy and installed
Gedaliah as governor.
9.
Gedaliah was murdered by Jewish nationalists
at the prompting of Ammon’s king. 40:13-41:3
a)
The Jews that remained in the land were terrified of the Babylonian
response to the crime.
b)
Against Jeremiah’s counsel, they traveled to Egypt, taking the prophet
with them. 42-43
c)
Jeremiah preached under Josiah, Jehoahaz,
Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah, and
Gedaliah.
C.
Prophetic Experiences
1.
Jeremiah’s Public Ministry
a)
Preaching
(1)
Though Jeremiah is difficult to outline, it contains definite sermonic
units.
(2)
Jeremiah boldly preached God’s message for decades to hostile people.
26:2
b)
Visual/Object Lessons
(1)
Though not as vivid as those in Ezekiel, Jeremiah used props to make
God’s point.
(2)
A filthy sash, jar of pottery, cup of wine, and ox yoke were all
utilized. 13:1; 19:1,10
c)
Canonical Writing
(1)
Jeremiah’s prophecies were written in a book during his lifetime.
36:1-4, 32
(2)
Jeremiah also wrote an epistle to the captives in Babylon. 29:1, 4ff
(3)
Jewish tradition also ascribes 1-2Kings and Lamentations to Jeremiah’s
pen.
(4)
Jeremiah’s written works were quickly recognized as scripture.
Da. 9:2
d)
Prayer
(1)
The book of Jeremiah contains many of the prophet’s prayers.
18:19-23; 32:16-25
(2)
The LORD instructed Jeremiah not to pray for the good of the people.
14:11
(3)
Jeremiah’s prayers give us great insight into his heart and struggles.
20:7-18
e)
Political Applications
(1)
Jeremiah’s preaching was not limited to dry, theological treatises.
(2)
The prophet spoke a powerful message with practical and political
implications.
(3)
He told Judah to submit to Babylon as God’s instrument. 38:17-18
(4)
Jeremiah dealt in real-world, unpopular applications, not abstract
generalities.
f)
Private Counseling
(1)
Jeremiah gave private audiences to King Zedekiah during the siege.
37:16-17; 38:14
(2)
The prophet also counseled Baruch during a time of discouragement.
45:1-5
(3)
Jeremiah was willing to speak the LORD’s word
whenever the need arose.
2.
Jeremiah’s Personal Misery
a)
Loneliness
(1)
Jeremiah preached a message that sounded traitorous to a hostile nation.
(2)
He did so without a family to love, encourage, and admire him.
(3)
He was greatly hated and seems to be without any friend to strengthen
him.
(4)
Except for Baruch and a few princes, Jeremiah was a man with almost no
allies.
b)
Discouragement
(1)
Jeremiah obeyed the LORD’s call, but he
struggled with depression. 20:14-18
(2)
It is hard to imagine the unrelenting discouragements Jeremiah faced.
(3)
Jeremiah reminds us that the faithful can become disheartened and
sorrowful too.
c)
Physical Abuse
(1)
Jeremiah suffered a great deal of physical pain for his preaching.
(2)
He was beaten more than once and put in stocks designed to torture.
20:1-2; 37:15
(3)
He was thrown into an empty cistern full of mire and left to starve to
death. 38:4-6
(4)
Preaching the truth did not keep God’s servant from suffering; it caused
suffering.
II.
The Prophecies
A.
The Theme of the Book
1.
Jeremiah’s theme is God’s Judgment Upon Judah
Because of Her Sin.
a)
His message is clear: Submit to the Babylonians as God’s Instrument of
Judgment.
b)
God used Jeremiah to preach a difficult, negative message at a dangerous
time in history.
2.
Jeremiah did not have a willing and receptive audience; his message
sounded traitorous.
a)
Imagine a preacher today telling Americans to surrender to Muslim
extremists!
b)
Jeremiah was accused of siding with the enemy and being unpatriotic.
37:11-15; 38:2-6
3.
The need of the moment was warning and rebuke; it was not tempered by
fluffy pep-talks.
a)
How would we have responded to such negative and disheartening preaching?
b)
Would we seek the word of the LORD as Josiah did, or desire to have our
ears tickled?
B.
The Structure of the Book
1.
Jeremiah is more historical than any other prophetic book; it is also
largely autobiographical.
a)
This book gives us unique information about Judah’s final days before her
destruction.
b)
We know more about Jeremiah’s life and personality than any other OT
prophet.
2.
It is not easy to understand the arrangement of the book of Jeremiah.
a)
The book is neither chronological nor uniformly thematic, but both are
used for effect.
b)
For instance, though not chronological, chapters thirty-four thru
forty-five blend as a unit.
3.
The book has three types of literature: poetry (oracles), history
(narrative), sermons (discourse).
a)
The book itself is roughly half poetry and half prose, but both are found
in the same texts.
b)
The book appears to be an anthology of Jeremiah’s work but with
deliberate arrangement.
4.
The book has two main sections: chapters 2-25 (pre-605 B.C.), chapters
26-51 (post-605 B.C.).
a)
605 B.C. was the battle of Carchemish when
Nebuchadnezzar defeated Egypt and Assyria.
(1)
This was in the fourth year of King Jehoiakim; Nebuchadnezzar came to the
throne.
(2)
The Battle of Carchemish established
Babylonian dominance in the region.
b)
These divisions are approximate; some material in each section belongs to
the other period.
5.
The following outline is accepted by many as representative of the text.
a)
Part One: Jeremiah’s Call (ch.1)
b)
Part Two: Prophecies to Judah (ch.2-45)
c)
Part Three: Prophecies to the Nations (ch.46-51)
d)
Part Four: Jerusalem’s Destruction (ch.52)
6.
The following outline suggests a parallel organization for the book.
a)
Prophetic Call (ch.1)
b)
Jeremiah and His People (ch.2-24)
(1)
Theme (2:1-3:5)
(2)
Plea to Repent (3:6-4:4)
(3)
Development (4:5-23:40)
(4)
Concluding Sign (24:1-10)
c)
Jeremiah and the Nations (ch.25-51)
(1)
Theme (25:1-38)
(2)
Plea to Repent (26:1-6)
(3)
Development (26:7-51:58)
(4)
Concluding Sign (51:59-64)
d)
Historical Appendix (ch.52)
C.
The Predictions of the Book
1.
Jeremiah’s book has been described as second only to Isaiah in making
specific predictions.
a)
Scholars identify ninety specific predictions; sixty percent of the book
is predictive (812v).
b)
Most of these passages (222v) concern the fall of Judah. (Smith 187)
2.
Some of Jeremiah’s better known prophecies include:
a)
The seventy year captivity of Judah in Babylon 25:11-14
b)
Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion of Egypt (568 B.C.) 46:2, 13, 25-26
c)
The judgment of Babylon by the Medes 50:3, 9-10, 41; 51:28-29
3.
Though not nearly as Messianic as Isaiah, Jeremiah contains Messianic
prediction as well.
a)
Chapters thirty thru thirty-three discuss Israel’s restoration in the new
covenant. 31:31-34
b)
A king would arise from David’s line to rule over Israel and Judah in
righteousness. 23:5-8
(1)
This prophecy points to the restoration of God’s people under one
government.
(2)
It also suggests the divine identity of Christ. 31:6; cf.
Jn. 1:1; 5:17; 8:58; 10:30
III.
The Present Day Applications
A.
Be Focused on the Divine Duty
1.
Jeremiah lived a difficult life without friends, without family, without
relief from his duty.
a)
How many of us would have wanted the job God gave to Jeremiah?
b)
His ministry wasn’t brief; it lasted at least forty years and perhaps
more than sixty!
2.
We need to remain focused on the task before us and not be distracted
from our duty. Mt. 6:33
B.
Be Faithful When It is Hard
1.
Jeremiah suffered greatly for preaching God’s word; he endured great pain
and hardships.
a)
He wanted to quit; he wanted to remain silent, but God’s word was a fire
in his bones. 20:9
b)
Is the word of God a burden to us as well that can only be relieved by
speaking it? Ro. 1:14
2.
We need to be faithful to God when it is hard; the path to glory includes
suffering. Ac. 14:21-22
C.
Be Submissive When God’s Word is Harsh
1.
Jeremiah told people to surrender to Babylon; he encouraged them to let
pagan Gentiles win.
a)
Would we accept such a message if preached today? Would we rebuke America
for her sin?
b)
Are we more patriotic than spiritual? Are we looking for truth or seeking
self-vindication?
2.
The preaching of God’s word demands much of us. Are we willing to receive
it? Jas. 1:21-22
Conclusion
1. One thing I hope to share with you in this lesson: a
passion for the prophet Jeremiah and his prophecies.
2. The more I learn about Jeremiah, the more dissatisfied I
am with my own weakness, complaints, and worth.