Peace & Blessings Beloved,
TGBTG for allowing us to see another day. I pray all is well with you and yours, and that your week has been fruitful & blessed thus far.
Today we are going to visit our Getting to Know the Bible Series. In this series, our goal is to come to a comprehensive understanding of each book of the bible. At this point of the series we're going to focus on Jeremiah. But before we get to Jeremiah 1, I want to ensure we have a baseline understanding of the book of Jeremiah. This way we can have a full appreciation for the exquisiteness of the entire book, as well as each individual chapter.
And so, in that spirit, see below for a comprehensive overview of the book of Jeremiah, as we prepare to behold and discern Jeremiah, beginning with Jeremiah 1 in our next installment of this series.
Book Type: The second book of the Major Prophets; the twenty-fourth book of the Old Testament
Authors: Jeremiah. He may have written with the assistance of his servant, Baruch.
Date of Writing: Between 626–586 BC.
Audience: The people of Judah and Jerusalem during the reigns of their last five kings.
Theme: Jeremiah, the prophet of the new covenant, predicts Judah's Babylonian exile and ultimate restoration under the Davidic Messiah.
Original Language: Hebrew
Genre: Autobiography; Poetry; Prophecy
Purpose of Writing: The Book of Jeremiah records the final prophecies to Judah, warning of oncoming destruction if the nation does not repent. Jeremiah calls out for the nation to turn back to God. At the same time, Jeremiah recognizes the inevitability of Judah's destruction due to its unrepentant idolatry and immorality.
Summary:
The Book of Jeremiah is primarily a message of judgment on Judah for rampant idolatry (Jeremiah 7:30-34; 16:10-13; 22:9; 32:29; 44:2-3). After the death of King Josiah, the last righteous king, the nation of Judah had almost completely abandoned God and His commandments. Jeremiah compares Judah to a prostitute (Jeremiah 2:20; 3:1-3). God had promised that He would judge idolatry most severely (Leviticus 26:31-33; Deuteronomy 28:49-68), and Jeremiah was warning Judah that God's judgment was at hand. God had delivered Judah from destruction on countless occasions, but His mercy was at its end. Jeremiah records King Nebuchadnezzar conquering Judah and making it subject to him (Jeremiah 24:1). After further rebellion, God brought Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian armies back to destroy and desolate Judah and Jerusalem (Jeremiah chapter 52). Even in this most severe judgment, God promises the restoration of Judah back into the land God has given them (Jeremiah 29:10).
Overview:
Jeremiah includes 52 chapters and can be organized into four major areas. The first section is the calling of Jeremiah, in chapter 1. Though young, God calls him to speak his words without reservation.
The second section is the majority of the text: Jeremiah's prophecies concerning Judah (Jeremiah 2-45). A series of messages are recorded toward Judah (Jeremiah 2-29). In chapters 30-33, Jeremiah predicts a positive future for the people of Judah through a new covenant. Yet, despite this future covenant, much calamity would first fall upon Judah (Jeremiah 34-45).
The third section addresses Jeremiah's prophecies regarding other nations (chapters 46-51). He speaks against nine different kingdoms, concluding with words of future judgment upon Babylon (chapters 50-51).
The final section (Jeremiah 52) provides the account of the fall of Jerusalem. The city is destroyed (Jeremiah 52:1–23) and its citizens are deported (Jeremiah 52:24–30). The closing verses end with a new hope through the release of Jehoiachin (Jeremiah 52:31–34).
Foreshadowing:
Jeremiah 23:5-6 presents a prophecy of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. The prophet describes Him as a Branch from the house of David (verse 5; Matthew 1), the King who would reign in wisdom and righteousness (verse 5, Revelation 11:15). It is Christ who will finally be recognized by Israel as her true Messiah as He provides salvation for His chosen ones (verse 6; Romans 11:26).
Application: The Prophet Jeremiah had a difficult message to deliver. Jeremiah loved Judah, but he loved God much more. As painful as it was for Jeremiah to deliver a consistent message of judgment to his own people, Jeremiah was obedient to what God told him to do and say. Jeremiah hoped and prayed for mercy from God for Judah, but also trusted that God was good, just, and righteous. We too must obey God, even when it is difficult, recognize God's will as more important than our own desires, and trust that God, in His infinite wisdom and perfect plan, will bring about the best for His children (Romans 8:28).
Key Verses (ESV):
Jeremiah 1:5: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, \ and before you were born I consecrated you; \ I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 17:9: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" Jeremiah 29:10–11: "For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 52:12–13: "In the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month—that was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon—Nebuzaradan the captain of the bodyguard, who served the king of Babylon, entered Jerusalem. And he burned the house of the LORD, and the king's house and all the houses of Jerusalem; every great house he burned down."
I pray you receive this with the love intended, and apply it to wisdom.
May the joy of the Lord continue to be your strength.
Love you much.
Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Blessed!
-Humble Servant
P.S- If you have not given your life to Jesus Christ, I implore you to take the time to do so right now. Use John 3:16 & Romans 10:9-10 as a foundation for making your confession of faith. And use Ephesians 2:1-10 to provide proper context for your salvation.