Jeremiah

Jeremiah

Historical Background and Purpose

The book of Jeremiah was written by the priest and prophet, Jeremiah (see Jeremiah 1:1-3).  According to Nelson's Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts (page 209), "Jeremiah was a contemporary of Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Daniel, and Ezekiel, and his ministry strected from c. 627 to c. 580 B.C. There were three stages in Jeremiah's ministry.  From 627 to 605 BC he prophesied while Judah was threatened by Assyria and Egypt.  From 605 to 586 B.C. he proclaimed God's judgment while Judah was threatened and besieged by Babylon.  From 586 to about 580 B.C. he ministered in Jerusalem and Egypt after Judah's downfall."  God had given Jeremiah a clear calling for his life (see Jeremiah 1:1-10) and Jeremiah obeyed God by faithfully proclaiming God's messages to His people.  Jeremiah repeatedly warned the people of Judah that God will judge them for their sinful disobedience (e.g. idolatry, adultery, etc).  For example, Jeremiah repeatedly warned the people of Judah that they will be taken away as captives by the Babylonians.  However, the people of Judah refused to heed his messages.  As a result, the people of Judah suffered the painful consequences of their sinful disobedience.  The city of Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians in 586 BC and many of its inhabitants were led away as captives.  The purpose of the book of Jeremiah is to serve as a clear warning that God will indeed judge and punish people for their sinful disobedience.  However, Jeremiah also encourages people to return to the LORD their God.

Character and Nature of God

The book of Jeremiah reveals that God loves His people and He greatly desires to bless His people.  Jeremiah 3:19 reveals God's heart when God says, "I thought to myself, 'I would love to treat you as my own children!'  I wanted nothing more than to give you this beautiful land - the finest possession in the world.  I looked forward to your calling me 'Father', and I wanted you never to turn from me."  God desires to be our loving Father and He desires us to be His children.  Further, God greatly desires to bless His children with the very best.  However, God does expect His children to be faithful and obedient to Him.  God loves His people and He desires to wonderfully bless His people; however, God will withhold His blessings if His people reject Him and sinfully rebel against Him.  God said to the people of Israel and Judah, "Have you no respect for me? Why don't you tremble in my presence? . . . But my people have stubborn and rebellious hearts.  They have turned away and abandoned me. . . Your wickedness has deprived you of these wonderful blessings.  Your sin has robbed you of all these good things" (see Jeremiah 5:22-25).  God hates sin.  God hates the sin of idolatry.  God hates the sin of adultery.  God hates the sin of greed.  God hates the sin of lying.  God hates the sin of hypocrisy.  God hates sin and God will judge and punish people for their sins.  However, God would much prefer His people to repent of their sinful ways and return to Him so that He may display His mercy to them rather than His anger and wrath.  Jeremiah 3:12-14 states, "...O Israel, my faithless people, come home to me again, for I am merciful.  I will not be angry with you forever.  Only acknowledge your guilt.  Admit that you rebelled against the LORD your God and committed adultery against him. . . Confess that you refused to listen to my voice. . . Return home, you wayward children . . ." God loves His children and God greatly desires to bless His children; however, God will certainly discipline His children as needed.  God will punish people for their sins.  God will punish people for their rebellion and disobedience.  However, God would much prefer people to confess and repent of their sins so that He may display His mercy and compassion to them rather than His anger and wrath.  God loves His people and He longs to be with them and to bless them. 

God's Redemptive Plan for Mankind

God will indeed punish His people for their sinful rebellion and disobedience.  However, God will then restore them.  The LORD said, “When I bring Israel home again from captivity and restore their fortunes, Jerusalem will be rebuilt on its ruins, and the palace reconstructed as before.  There will be joy and songs of thanksgiving, and I will multiply my people, not diminish them; I will honor them, not despise them.  Their children will prosper as they did long ago.  I will establish them as a nation before me, and I will punish anyone who hurts them.  They will have their own ruler again, and he will come from their own people.  I will invite him to approach me, for who would dare to come unless invited?  You will be my people, and I will be your God” (see Jeremiah 30:18-22).  God had a plan to restore His people and God is the One who led them back home from their Babylonian captivity.  Similarly, God has a plan of restoration in place for all of His people.  God has a plan in place that will allow all of His people to be set free from their captivity so that they may return home to be with Him – forever!

Personal Application

God appointed Jeremiah to be a prophet to the nations (see Jeremiah 1:5).  However, Jeremiah replied, “O Sovereign LORD, I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” (Jeremiah 1:6).  However, the LORD replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you.  And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you.  I, the LORD have spoken!” God then said, “Look, I have put my words in your mouth! Today I appoint you to stand up against the nations and kingdoms.  Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow.  Others you must build up and plant” (see Jeremiah 1:9-10).  God had a specific calling for Jeremiah.  However, Jeremiah felt inadequate for his calling.  God then reassured Jeremiah that He will be with him and He will protect him.  Further, God equipped Jeremiah to do what God had called him to do.  It should be noted that Jeremiah could not have possibly fulfilled God’s calling on his life apart from God.  This was true for Jeremiah and it is true for each of us as well.  Studying the book of Jeremiah has helped remind me of these truths.  God has given me a specific calling as well.  God is with me as well.  God equips me as well to do whatever God leads me to do. 

Point of Passion

My point of passion is to know God and to make Him known. God is our Creator and He has formed each of us with a specific purpose in mind.  Further, God reassures us in His Word that He is with us and He will be with us always.  God also tells us in His Word that He will equip us to do whatever He leads us to do.  However, God has designed it in such a way that we cannot possibly accomplish God’s calling upon our lives apart from Him.  We need God in order to fulfill God’s calling upon our lives.  I desire to live out these truths in my own life and I desire to help others live out these truths in their own lives as well.