Jeremiah

This beginning chapter details the calling and time period of Jeremiah. Jeremiah is told of some things that are coming (judgment against Israel) and that God will be with Jeremiah and protect him.

Principles: when God calls you to do something He protects you and provides for you to do it.

Jeremiah shares the message that God gives him about Israel rejecting God for false idols. God reminds them of what He provided them and then they turned to false gods. He lets them know what’s coming. He tells them that they will get the results of their sin and that they should call on their false gods for help.

Principles: in our rebellion against God, sometimes the only thing God can do is let us go through the circumstances that we have prepared for ourselves through our sin.

God speaks through Jeremiah and compares Israel and Judah’s worship of idols to a spouse that commits adultery and marries the person they commit adultery with. Judah follows after what they see Israel does going after false gods. Despite all this God wants to have a relationship with them and calls them to repentance.

Principles: despite our sin and rejection of God, He still wants a relationship with us.

In this chapter Jeremiah sees the destruction of the country coming. He weeps at the prospect of its destruction. He also seems to challenge God by saying that the Jews think by listening to Him that they have a chance at being saved but Jeremiah says they don’t. God doesn’t seem to respond to that when asked. (But God had told them that they could come back to Him at the beginning of the chapter.)

Principles: God is always ready for us to repent.

God is calling Judah to account for rejecting Him and thinking that they could do what they want with no consequences. The leaders and prophets are corrupt and hardened as well. God does save a remnant though. The ending verse says it is bad but the people like it that way.

Principles: Our actions have God’s attention because He wants a relationship with us.

God is giving Jerusalem a last warning before judgment comes. He’s telling them that attackers will come from the north to overtake them. He keeps giving them an opportunity to repent but they don’t want to listen.

Principle: God offers lots of opportunities to return to Him before discipline comes.

God tells Jeremiah to go to the entrance of the temple and let the Jews know that even now God will let them stay in their homes if they repent. However, God tells them that just putting their trust in the temple and continuing in their sin will not save them. Then God tells Jeremiah to stop praying for them because they are hardened in their sin and won’t listen.

Principles: Trusting in the structures is not the same as trusting in God.

God tells Jeremiah that when the attackers come in they will pull up the bones of the dead and let them scatter before the very false gods that the Jews were worshiping as a dishonor to them. He notes that the sources of “truth” they have listened to are false prophets. The chapter also shares how Jeremiah is heartbroken over all that is happening to his people.

Principles: Our actions have consequences. Judge what you are listening to.

The chapter starts with grief on the part of Jeremiah over his people. Then it talks about how God is judging them for their lies. They lie to each other and to themselves (they are circumcised on the outside but don’t match that spiritually). God is being destruction on them as a result.

Principles: God’s judgment may wait but it comes to refine us and turn us to Him.

This chapter starts with a discussion of the futility of worshipping idols and how ridiculous they are. It moves on to a focus on the greatness of God. Then it talks about the coming attack from the North and the ensuing captivity. Jeremiah talks about how upset he is about all of this and asks God to bring them through the discipline.

Principles: Putting our trust in our own idols (whatever they are) is futile.

God tells Jeremiah that He is done with Jerusalem, Judah, and Israel. Their judgment is coming no matter what because they have broken the covenant. God also tells Jeremiah about a plot against him to kill him because he speaks what God talks him to speak.

Principles: When we reject God, there comes a point where he lets the consequences of that rejection affect us. God protects His followers even when we don’t realize there is trouble.

Jeremiah questions why God allows people who are not following God to prosper. God responds asking him if he’s struggling with such simple issues how will he handle when there is real trouble. Then God says that Israel’s neighbors who are out to get Israel’s land will be dealt with and if they learn to put their trust in God then they will be allowed to be return to their lands.

Principles:  If you can’t make it in the easy times, how will you survive in tough times?  Put your trust in God.

In this chapter God had Jeremiah give an object lesson to Israel and Judah by showing them a loin cloth that was rotted. Instead of being a in good condition after being hidden away, it was rotten. God also compared them to wine jars filled with wine and drunk to the point that they were causing harm to one another. God was giving them chances to repent even though He was telling them of impending capture.

Principles: When we hide away in our sin, we rot in our relationship with God.

Judah is going through a terrible drought. God tells Jeremiah not to intercede for them because they have rejected Him for so long. Their excuse is that they are God’s people and that He should rescue them for His name’s sake. God points out that the prophets are speaking but He has not sent them. It ends with Jeremiah asking if God will really reject His people and not rescue them.

Principles: Our rejection of God hurts the heart of God.

God notes that because of the king’s sins, Judah will be punished. Nothing can stop that. Jeremiah notes that he has been faithful to God but he is persecuted greatly. God tells him he will be protected if he remains faithful. Jeremiah said he hasn’t joined in their ways. God says if he keeps faithful He will take care of him.

Principles: The sins of the leader affect a nation. The sins of a nation affect it. The faithful will be cared for.

God tells Jeremiah to get married or connect to the culture because of what He is about to let happen to it. They have rejected God and continued to do so throughout the generations. However, God does say there is hope and one day they will be rescued from what is about to happen.

Principles: Don’t be part of the world’s sinful culture or you will reap the results of it. Our hope is in God’s restoration.

Jeremiah starts the chapter describing the sin of Judah and how it is indelibly marked to the point that even the children are part of the sin. Then Jeremiah describes those that trust in God vs those that trust in men. Jeremiah asks God to defend his reputation before people because he’s put his trust in God. Then God sends Jeremiah to the city gates to tell them people to honor the sabbath.

Principles: Rest in God for His provision.

God has Jeremiah go down to a potter’s shop to give him a word. The potter tried to make a jar but it didn’t turn out as he had planned so he started over. God compared this to His plans for people. When they don’t do as they started out (good or bad), God changes their path accordingly. There is also a plot to discredit Jeremiah and Jeremiah pleads that God will punish those involved.

Principles: Our actions can change our outcome.

God gives Jeremiah a word to share with Jerusalem and Judah. He uses a clay pot and takes them out to their garbage dump and where they had been sacrificing to false gods. Jeremiah shatters the jar as a symbol of what will happen to Jerusalem and Judah. It will be shattered beyond repair and the land will be defiled like the garbage dump because of all the dead being buried.

Principles: God gives warning to us to correct us.

Jeremiah is arrested by a temple official, whipped, and put in stocks on display for speaking out with God’s message. When released, he prophesied to the man who arrested him unjustly saying that he was going to be a man in terror and would see captivity take place. Jeremiah then complains that God misled him as to how life would go for him. He notes how the message God gives him is like fire in his bones and he can’t help but share it.

Principles: God has big shoulders to handle your concerns. God’s message will not be contained.

In this chapter the king of Judah sends people to talk to Jeremiah begging him to pray to God for deliverance from the Babylonians who are attacking Jerusalem. Jeremiah plainly tells them that God will not rescue them because He is fighting against them. Jeremiah says they can die if they stay in the city or they can go out and surrender to the Babylonians and live. That is the only choice that God is giving them.

Principles: Our actions and sin force us into no win situations.

God gives Jeremiah a message for and about the kings of Israel. He notes that Josiah was a righteous king and treated the people justly and with care. Jehoshaphat and Jehoiakim were not just like their father. Jehoiachin (son of Jehoiakim) was also not just. The people don’t love them as a result. God was done with them too.

Principles: Live justly before those God calls you to lead.

This chapter covers a lot of the problems of the false prophets in Israel and Judah. It talks about the way they operate and the bad things they do and say. However, it also prophesies not only of the saving of a remnant but of Jesus who is the Righteous Descendent.

Principles: Don’t speak in God’s name without His words in your mouth (don’t take His name in vain).

In this chapter God gives Jeremiah a vision. The vision shows him two baskets of figs in front of the temple. One basket is good ripe figs and the other rotten. The good figs represent the king and people that were taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar. The bad figs represent the king and people left behind.

Principles: What man means for harm, God will use for His purposes to refine and purify. God disciplines those He loves.

The time has finally come. Jeremiah gives very specific prophesy from God about the downfall of Judah. They will be in captivity 70 years. He reminds the people that they have been given warning after warning. The chapter talks about God giving Jeremiah the cup of His anger to give to the nations that God tells him to go to. The nations don’t have a choice but to drink from the cup if they are given it.

Principles: God’s warnings have teeth. They are not idle threats.

God tells Jeremiah to go and prophesy to the people of Judah every word God gives him. God says that the temple will be destroyed along with Jerusalem unless they repent. The people listen but then try to mob Jeremiah and kill him. The palace and old wise people intervene and remind the people of other prophets. They don’t kill Jeremiah.

Principles: Speaking the truth can result in everyone being against you and trying to do you harm.

Jeremiah is told by God to prepare an oxen yoke and wear it to go to the king and the people to prophesy to them. He tells them not to resist Babylon taking over and they will be allowed to stay in the land.

Principles: Use object lessons to stress the point. When you begin to submit to God’s discipline He begins to make it easier on you.

Hananiah comes to Jeremiah while he is wearing the ox yoke, in front of the people in the temple, takes the yoke off Jeremiah and breaks it, and then “prophesies” that God will bring back the people and items stolen within two years. Jeremiah responds that he hopes it would be so. Then later God gave Jeremiah a prophecy for Hananiah that since he had falsely prophesied and broken the wooden yoke, it would now be an “iron yoke” under Nebuchadnezzar (harsh slavery) and that Hananiah would die with the year for this because he made people believe the lie

Principles: Speaking lies in God’s name is not good for your health. Causing others to believe wrongly what is of God is a heavier offense.

This chapter is well for verse 11 (“for I know the plans I have for you…”). However, the chapter is God speaking through Jeremiah to tell the exiles in Babylon to get settled in Babylon because they will be there for 70 years. He also deals with false prophets.

Principles: despite the discipline we go through, God still has a hope-filled plan on the other side.

God speaks through Jeremiah talking about Israel and Judah will ultimately be restored. He talks about what it will look like for them and those who oppressed them.

Principles: God uses the circumstances to purify and prepares them for return to peace.

This chapter is one of hope and prophesy of restoration for the most part. There are some prophecies of the Messiah. It is a refreshing for Jeremiah. It talks about the restoration of Israel.

Principles: God provides restoration to His people after times of discipline.

This chapter talks of Jeremiah being imprisoned by the king of Judah for sharing the prophecy of God about the fall of Judah to the Babylonians. It then shares the story by of Jeremiah’s buying land from a relative. This is an object lesson about the fact that God will restore them. Then it covers why they are being exiled and the future hope there is despite their sin and exile.

Principles: God has a plan for us after our sin and its consequences.

In this chapter, God gives Jeremiah several prophecies about future times when God’s abundance will show in Israel and Judah. There is reference to Messiah and His eternal reign.

Principles: Despite the discipline God walks us through, His love and care never come to an end.

God gives Jeremiah a warning for King Zedekiah telling him that he would be captured and taken prisoner but would die in peace and be honored by the people. God also pronounces judgment on those that had freed their slaves and then taken them back as slaves.

Principles: Keep your word. Follow God’s laws.

God asks Jeremiah to call the Recabites to the temple and offer them wine. When this happens the Recabites refuse the wine because God had given the family a directive not to drink wine or build houses (always live in tents). When they again refused the wine, God used them as an example of faithfulness and promised that they would always have descendants that serve God.

Principles: God catches His people doing the right things. He rewards those who faithfully serve Him.

God has Jeremiah dictate the prophecies that He has given to the people on to a scroll so that they can be read once again, all at once. Because he’s imprisoned, Jeremiah sends Baruch to read them at the next fasting time. He reads them and then some of the religious leaders come and ask Baruch to read it to them directly and confirm is authenticity. When they realize its authenticity, they prepare for the worst and alert the king. They send Baruch and Jeremiah into hiding and keep the scroll in a safe place and then alert the king. The king gets the scroll but rather than repent he destroys it as it burns. The king then tries to have Jeremiah and Baruch put to death but they were hidden. Then God has Jeremiah prepare another scroll but with much more judgment against the king.

Principles: God gives regular chances for repentance. To repent is better than fasting.

Jeremiah is asked by the king too pray for their safety and about what would happen. Jeremiah is imprisoned by a false accuser. Then the king secretly summons him to tell what will happen. Jeremiah tells the king they will be defeated and begs the king not to put him back in the prison that he was in. The king agrees and keeps him in the palace prison.

Principles: You will be accused falsely when you are doing God’s work.

Jeremiah is put in a cistern to die by someone who got the king’s permission because they said Jeremiah was causing the morale to be lowered from the prophecies that he was sharing. He was telling that if they surrendered they would live. If not Jerusalem would be burned, they would die, and their women and children would be given to the Babylonian soldiers. Then another person found out that they had put Jeremiah in the cistern to die and had him rescued with permission from the king. Then the king came secretly to Jeremiah to get direction from God. Jeremiah said the king wouldn’t listen anyway and would kill him if he told the truth. The king promised Jeremiah that he wouldn’t kill him. Jeremiah repeated what he’d been saying and the king made him promise to tell those that asked that he was just begging for his life. Jeremiah kept his promise and didn’t tell him what he really talked about.

Principles: God’s message is consistent. His discipline allows you to start on the right path.

Babylon finally besieges and conquers Jerusalem. King Zedekiah fled when the wall was breached and tried to escape in the night but was captured, his sons were killed, his eyes were gauged out, and he was led away in chains. King Nebuchadnezzar also killed the nobles. The Babylonians rounded up most of the people of Jerusalem and took them as exiles. Only the poorest were left in the city and told to care for the vineyards and fields. Nebuchadnezzar ordered Jeremiah to be removed from prison and cared for in Judah. This fulfilled the prophecies that God had given Jeremiah.

Principles: God’s word comes through to carry out His plans and care for those that follow Him.

Jeremiah is released by the Babylonians and told her can go wherever he would like. Nebuzadaran noted that all that had happened to the Jews was due to their sin against God just like Jeremiah had been telling them. There is a plot reported against the governor left in Judah.

Principles: God confirms what He tells His people. God cares for His people.

The plot to kill the Governor was carried out by Ishmael. Ishmael took a number of prisoners but Johanon came and rescued them. Ishmael escaped to Ammon. When the people returned with those that had been captured, they intended to go to Egypt out of fear for what the Babylonians would do for Ishmael murdering the governor.

Principles: Be prepared to handle what may come your way.

The people left behind come to Jeremiah to consult God for them about what they should do. They then promise to do whatever God says. Jeremiah consults God and God responds telling them to stay where they are and not go to Egypt. God tells them that they will be cursed and die if they do. Jeremiah then says you asked me to get word from God and I did. Then he says that they won’t listen even though they said they would.

Principles: Don’t run away from God’s discipline or it will only get worse.

Just as Jeremiah noted, the people didn’t believe him, saying he was lying to them. They loaded everyone up and included Jeremiah who they were caring for and went to Egypt. Then God gave Jeremiah another message telling them Nebuchadnezzar would come to Egypt and conquer them there.

Principles: You can’t outrun God or the consequences of your action.

Jeremiah is with those that have fled to Egypt and God tells him to give them a message that they will die in Egypt because they continue to rebel against God and worship false gods. They think that they had peace and plenty because they did that. However, God says that even the children will die because of their sin.

Principles: Sometimes you have temporary peace and plenty even without serving God. Your actions even affect your children.

This is a prophecy from God through Jeremiah to Baruch, Jeremiah’s scribe. God tells Baruch that He’s seen his worry and concern. God warns Baruch not to try to make a name for himself or look for his own welfare/prosperity in the midst of the trouble. God tells him that despite the destruction of Judah, God will give Baruch his life as a reward for staying faithful.

Principles: Remain faithful to God and He will care for your welfare.

Jeremiah is given a prophecy about Egypt’s defeat by Babylon. He is also told that eventually Babylon would be completely destroyed and Israel would return from captivity and live in peace.

Principles: God knows outcome of tragedy and triumph.

Jeremiah is given a word for the Philistines. God is going to finish them off for their deeds as a nation.

Principles: Our actions cry out for God to deal with them.

Jeremiah shares a prophecy about Moab. They were prideful in who they were and their status. However, they also worshipped a false god Chemoth. God gave Jeremiah an extensive message of their destruction.

Principles: Pride and idolatry are connected with a fall.

This chapter talks about the destruction of a number of people groups and towns. Some specifically list a false god they serve (Molech). A few are mentioned that will be decimated but God will restore their fortunes. Some are mentioned that will have their windows and orphans spared.

Principles: God’s judgment is specific to the situation.

In this chapter Jeremiah shares a prophecy about the fall of Babylon and God’s punishment of their nation. They will be destroyed completely for their pride and worship of false gods.

Principles: Just because you’re used by God doesn’t mean that you are exempt from obeying and honoring God.

This chapter continues the prophecy against Babylon and says the Medes and Cyrus would conquer them.

Principles: God knows the details of the story.

This chapter gives additional historical account of the fall of Jerusalem. Jehoiachin had been removed from power by Nebuchadnezzar and Zedekiah left in his place. Zedekiah rebelled though and then Nebuchadnezzar came and besieged the city. When things were at their bleakest, Zedekiah and some warriors tried to escape. Nebuchadnezzar’s men chased him down. Then slaughtered his children and warriors and gauged his eyes out. After Nebuchadnezzar passed away a new ruler came to power that favored Jehoiachin who had been in Nebuchadnezzar’s prison. He gave him a food allowance and fresh clothes and he dined with at the kings table for the remainder of his life.

Principles: Even in hardship God provides.