Jeremiah is an exquisite example of someone who succeeded in being willing to walk in faith, to speak in faith, and to obey in faith regardless of the personal cost. This godly young man may not have appeared successful in either his life or his ministry, as some define success. Throughout more than 40 years of ministry, he was scorned, mocked disregarded, laughed at, falsely accused, imprisoned, starved, and physically abused. Both religious and political rulers, as well as his family, rejected him and his words. Jeremiah looked to the Lord, for power to overcome in all of his struggles and the Lord deemed him faithful.
Jeremiah was just a youth when he was called to carry a severe message of doom to his people. He attempted to avoid this task but was unable to remain silent. The people had become so corrupt under Manasseh that God must bring an end to the nation. Defeated and taken into exile, they would reflect on what had happened to them and why. Then, after proper chastisement and repentance, God would bring a remnant back to Judah, punish the nations who had punished them, and fulfill His old covenants with Israel, David, and the Levites. And He would give them a new covenant and write His law on their hearts. David’s throne would again be established, and faithful priests would serve them.
Much of the message of Jeremiah is relevant because it is timeless. Sin always must be punished, but true repentance brings restoration. Our idolatry, which consists of such things as wealth, talent, or position, is called by new names, but the sin is the same, and the remedy is the same. God calls for obedience to His commands in a pure covenantal relationship. Sin requires repentance and restoration; obedience leads to blessing and joy.
The book consists mainly of a short introduction (1:1–3), a collection of oracles against Judah and Jerusalem which Jeremiah dictated to his scribe Baruch (1:4—20:18), oracles against foreign nations (25:15–38; chs. 46—51), events written about Jeremiah in the third person, perhaps by Baruch (chs. 26—45), and a historical appendix (ch. 52), which is almost identical to 2 Kings 24 and 25. The prophecies in the book are not in chronological order.
Jeremiah uses many literary styles and devices. His book is the longest in the Bible, and while some chapters are written in prose, most are poetic in form. His poetry is as beautiful and lyrical as any in Scripture. He effectively makes use of repetition, such as the phrase “by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence” (14:12 and note). Symbolism occurs in the use of the linen sash (13:1), the potter’s earthen flask (19:1), and the bonds and yokes (27:2). Cryptograms are used in 25:26 and 51:1, 41. Jeremiah is a keen observer of plants and animals (2:21, 23). He has given us many beautiful phrases (2:13; 7:11; 8:20, 22; 31:29, 33).
Through his action and attitude Jeremiah portrays a lifestyle similar to that of Jesus, and for this reason he may be called a type of Christ in the Old Testament. He showed great compassion for his people and wept over them. He suffered much at their hands, but he forgave them. Jeremiah is one of the most Christlike personalities in the Old Testament.
Several passages from Jeremiah are alluded to by Jesus in His teaching: “Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of thieves in your eyes?” (7:11; Matt. 21:13); “Who have eyes and see not, and who have ears and hear not” (5:21; Mark 8:18); “Then you will find rest for your souls” (6:16; Matt. 11:29); “My people have been lost sheep” (50:6; Matt. 10:6).
Jeremiah saw that religion was essentially a moral and spiritual relationship with God, a relationship that required the devotion of each individual. Each person is responsible for his or her own sin. The new covenant (31:27–40) is the spiritual bond between God and the individual. This is a new and unconditional covenant that involves God’s writing the Law on human hearts, the forgiving of iniquity, and the remembering of sin no more. All this was fulfilled in the incarnation of Christ and in the gospel He preached.
A symbol of the Holy Spirit is fire. God assured Jeremiah, “I will make My words in your mouth fire” (5:14). At one point Jeremiah wanted to stop mentioning God, but “His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not” (20:9). Today we would call this the work of the Holy Spirit in Jeremiah.
Apart from the normal work of inspiring the prophet and revealing God’s message to him, the Holy Spirit is the One to carry out the promise of a new covenant that will put God’s law in the minds of His people and write it on their hearts. The external commands of the old covenant will now be internalized, and the believer will have the power to conform in every respect to the moral law of God. The knowledge of God will be universal, and other peoples will be included in God’s blessing. Under the old covenant forgiveness was promised, but now forgiveness comes with the promise that God will remember their sin no more.
Preparing for the Prophetic
Jeremiah was called as a prophet to the nations as a young person. God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, continues to call people as His prophets to the nations. Do not allow your age to hold you back from walking into God's calling and destiny for your life. God called Jeremiah, trained him, and sent him out by His Spirit to faithfully speak His word. Study Jeremiah's life and learn from his willingness to obey the Lord and speak His word regardless of adverse circumstances. God is calling many of us. We are to respond as Jeremiah did, to go and speak all that He commands.
TRUTH - IN - ACTION
JEREMIAH 1:4-19; 2:1,2; 32:16-25; 33:3-16
1:4-10 Recognize the prophetic calling. Jeremiah was set apart as a prophet while still in his mother's womb. Mothers, understand that God has gifts and callings for unborn children. Pray for His plans and purposes in your baby's life. Prophetic people: accept the prophetic calling and gift: Say "yes" to God.
1:5 God’s sovereignty is shown in that He formed, sanctified (set apart), and ordained (appointed) Jeremiah to be a prophet (one who is called) and to be His spokesman to the nations (Assyria, Babylon, Egypt, Judah, and others). I cannot speak: Like Moses (Ex. 3:4), Jeremiah claimed inadequacy and inexperience (a youth), but God’s support and presence (I am with you) will overcome Jeremiah’s deficiency.
God makes three demands of Jeremiah:
1. Stop Voicing Disqualification.
2. Speak Obediently God’s Bidding.
3. Refuse to Fear.
1:6-8 I cannot speak: Like Moses (Ex. 3:4), Jeremiah claimed inadequacy and inexperience (a youth), but God’s support and presence (I am with you) will overcome Jeremiah’s deficiency.
1:9 Touched my mouth: Compare the experience of Isaiah (see Is. 6:7). This may connote God’s cleansing and consecrating of Jeremiah’s mouth.
1:10 God’s word is a dynamic and creative force that will accomplish His purpose (see Is. 55:10, 11). Jeremiah repeatedly uses the verbs to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant (see 18:7–9; 24:6; 31:28; 42:10).
1:11,12 This vision is the first of many uses of nature in the book. The play on words between the similar sounding almond and “watching” in Hebrew is a reminder that the almond tree blooms early in the spring, becoming the tree that is ready and watching as all other blossoms/events unfold.
Recognize and submit to the Lord's training for functioning in the gift of prophecy. Ask Him to open your spiritual eyes to the things He wants to show you.
1:13-19 Learn to wait and listen for God's interpretation of what you see prophetically. Hurt or confusion can arise when we try to place our own understanding on what God has shown us. Trust in the Lord; He will deliver you from those who would oppose His word.
2:1,2 Learn to speak only what the Lord wants you to say. Be careful not to add to or take away from what God has given you. Ask the Lord if you are to speak it or pray over it. God gives prophetic insight for a variety of reasons. Be careful about using phrases like "the Lord said." Be aware of the potential harm when we say what God has not said. Remember that the timing is very important in delivering a word from Lord. Ask God to show you His prefect timing and to give you His heart in all you speak.
Again the Lord spoke to me and said: Go and shout this in Jerusalem’s streets: This is what the Lord says! I remember how eager you were to please me as a young bride long ago, how you loved me and followed me even through the barren deserts.
Kindness: The Hebrew word conveys the concept of covenant loyalty, love, and faithfulness. Betrothal: The Sinai covenant is compared to a marriage vow, and God is called Israel’s husband (see Is. 54:5; Ezek. 16:1–14; Hos. 2:16).
32:16-25 A prayer of Jeremiah expressing God’s omnipotence, omniscience, and wonders for Israel, but in view of the present circumstances of siege, asking why he should buy the field at all. Understand that we do not always understand fully God's plan when He asks us to obey.
33:3-16 Ask me and I will tell you some remarkable secrets about what is going to happen here. Call to the Lord, and ask Him to show you things beyond your own ability to perceive. The positive assurance from God is that if we will call on Him, He will answer us in ways that will astound us. See Ps. 4:3; 18:6; Matt. 7:7.
Understand that God's ultimate purpose for people is always redemption, salvations, and restoration.
Remember, God loves you completely and with out limit, and that the Lord is our righteousness. In Jesus, the Branch of righteousness, we will be made righteous and receive full pardon (Rom. 3:22-24).
Look to God for forgiveness. Receive His restoration of joy, praise, and honor. Bring the sacrifice of praise into God's house. Be involved in a church where you can grow in, worship, and that God for all He has done.
~The New Spirit-filled Life Bible | Bits and Pieces of the Book of Jeremiah
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