INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH

Jeremiah lived about 100 years after Isaiah. He began his ministry in the 13th year of Josiah king of Judah (626 BC), and he continued until the people of Judah were taken to Babylon in captivity (586 BC). The lost Bible was found in the 18th year of Josiah's reign, and the king tried to reform the country according to God's word. He could not stem the tide of corruption, however. He was killed in an attempt to stop an Egyptian invasion. During Jeremiah's lifetime, the Babylonian Empire conquered Assyria, then Egypt, to become the leading world power.

Jeremiah was the son of a country priest. He was very young when he was called by God. Because of the nation's impending doom, he was commanded not to marry and have children. He is known as the weeping prophet. He had much to weep about because he prophesied about and lived to witness the death throes of his nation Judah. He loved his countrymen, so he rebuked their idolatry and called them to repent.

He opposed collaboration with Egypt and advised the leaders of Judah to surrender to Babylon. Because of this unpopular stand he was called a traitor and put in prison. After the Babylonian invasion, he followed a group of Jews into exile in Egypt and probably died there.

OUTLINE OF JEREMIAH

1 Jeremiah's call

2-24 Messages calling God's people to repent

25-33 Prophecies about exile and restoration

34-35 Warnings to Judah's kings

36-38 The suffering prophet

39-44 The sorrow and shame of Judah's kings

45 Personal confession to Baruch

46-51 God's judgment on the nations

52 The burning of Jerusalem; exiles and temple furnishing taken to Babylon

1. A prophet to the nations (1-10)

Jeremiah was the son of a priest. He lived to see the Babylonian conquest of his country. He was chosen by God before he was born to be a prophet and Bible teacher for the world. When God called him, Jeremiah thought he was too young. But God said, 'Don't say, 'I am only a child.'' He was called to go wherever God sent him and say whatever God told him to say. His message would be unpopular, but God would stand by him. Then God touched his mouth and gave him his word. God's word uproots and tears down so that he can build and plant. God's word calls men to repent and turn to God.

2. The almond branch and the boiling pot (11-19)

As the almond branch awakens the spring, God is awake and watching. The boiling pot is the Babylonian Empire, which would soon be poured out to invade Jerusalem. God pours out his wrath because of the wickedness of the people. Jeremiah must stand alone against kings and priests. But God would be with him.

Application: Lord, give me courage to obey your call and teach your word without compromise.
One Word: Say whatever I command you