Jeremiah

1.       First Impressions

This book was written by Jeremiah son of the priest Hilkiah from Anathoth in Benjamin (1:1). God chose him before birth and called him at a young age to speak God’s words to the people (1:5,6). Jeremiah had been given the difficult task of pronouncing God’s inescapable judgment on the southern kingdom. He also spoke out God’s judgment against many of the nations surrounding Israel. He was hated by many and was persecuted for what he said.  According to Nelson’s complete book of Bible Maps and Charts Jeremiah’s ministry stretched from around 627 to 586 B.C. He started and did most of his ministry in the time that King Josiah reigned but his ministry continued throughout the reigns of Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah.

2.       Theme Tracing

·         What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

Jeremiah is filled with who God is! There is so much I Could take from this book but I’ve listed the main things that have stood out to me about God’s character below:

He requires willingness not skill and looks at the heart, giving us what we need (1:7)

He strengthens and cares for us (1:19)

Upholds justice and looks for every chance to be merciful (3:22)

Fury (6:11)

He is full of wisdom (10:12)

He is righteous (23:5-6)

He is omnipresent (23:23-24)

He is omnipotent, he is all powerful and can do anything that pleases him but his actions will always be consistent with his character (32:17, 27)

Anger 23:20

 He is forgiving

God is good (33:11)

He loves faithfully (33:11)

He is just (he pronounces judgment not only on Judah but on all the surrounding nations) 9:24

·         What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

Again we see God’s heart for redemption rather than destruction in Jeremiah. In Jeremiah 31:33-34 it says, “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord. I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people…” This is a picture of the restoration of the Israelites and the new covenant that God will make with them in the future.

In 23:5-7 one can find a prophecy of the restoration of Israel as well as of Jesus, “a righteous descendant from King David’s line.” This same messianic prophecy is also found in Jeremiah 33:15-16.

3.       Application questions

·         Personal application:

I love Jeremiah! From the very start where in class the idea of God putting His words in our mouths was put forward I have been able to apply this book to my life. Am I willing to speak out those words that God is putting in my mouth?

Jeremiah and his ministry is a challenge to me. I love to see results from what I do and often times I find myself questioning God when I see no fruit. Jeremiah’s whole life he saw no fruit, does that mean that he didn’t do what God called him to? No, in fact it’s quite the opposite. Even in prayer, often times I find it hard to pray because I am praying for things that I will never see even if my prayers are answered. Over and over again we see God having to tell Jeremiah to stop praying for his people! (7:16/11:14/14:11) However, that is the challenge, trusting that God hears prayer, that our prayer has power and that God answers prayers prayed in accordance with His will.

Jeremiah’s ministry has challenged me to examine my willingness to serve God in the hardest of times, all alone and hated by those I love.  Then also Jeremiah 1:7,8 really spoke to me because I think sometimes I also just blurt out an excuse when God calls me to do something but God will equip us for everything He calls us to do, just us He said to Jeremiah, I need not be afraid for God is with me and He will protect me.

I just love these following verses, they speak for themselves and continue to amazw me as I can apply them to my life: 10:23, 24; it says, “I know Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course. So correct me, Lord, but please be gentle. Do not correct me in anger, for I would die”, 17:10 says, “But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve” and of course 29:11-13, “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”

·         Point of Passion: 

Jeremiah 20:7, 9 says, “O Lord, you misled me, and I allowed myself to be misled. You are stronger than I am, and you overpowered me. Now I am mocked every day; everyone laughs at me” and “But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!”

I think that often times persevering in teaching from a Christian perspective in educational surroundings can be make you feel like Jeremiah when he says he has been misled by God and exclaim that he is being mocked and laugh at. Yet, educators have such an important role to play in speaking out God’s truth as they teach. It is important that Christian educators get to a place like Jeremiah was despite the general rejection they accept their responsibility to teach truth even if it is not met kindly or as we might have hoped.

From Jeremiah 10:12 we can also take the principle that the education of people must lead to true wisdom by connecting all knowledge to a worldview frame of reference.