Jeremiah
Irresponsibility is Found in a Fickle Foreign Policy
Jeremiah makes a charge against these backsliding people. He paints four verbal pictures (vv. 20-28): An animal that had broken its yoke (v. 20) – Judah had broken off the yoke that had bound her to her Lord and followed after the gods of her heathen neighbor. A choice vine that bec …
The Way of The Wicked Doesn’t Prosper
Jeremiah wanted to know why a holy God would allow the false prophets and unfaithful priests to prosper if God was angry with their sins (vv. 1-4). His question, “Why does the way of the wicked prosper?†was also asked by Job, the psalmist, and other prophets besides J …
Is it Information or Truth That You Want?
Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah again and met him in secret at the entrance to the temple (vv. 14-16). Zedekiah wanted to ask Jeremiah something, and he told the prophet not to hide anything from him. Jeremiah said, if he did answer with a message the king did not want to hear he had …
Sword, Famine And Pestilence
These verses describe a great drought upon the land (vv. 1-2). One of the covenant curses God threatened to send on the disobedient nation was a drought (Deut. 28:22-24). In a land where rainfall is marginal, a drought can have far-reaching effects. As a consequence of the people …
Treacherous Treatment of Slaves
God gave Jeremiah a message for King Zedekiah (vv. 1-3). This message was that Zedekiah’s rebellion against Babylon would not succeed. God had already determined to hand the city over to the Babylonians, who would burn it down. In the midst of judgment God did offer a promi …
The Fallacy of Worshiping Idols
The prophet concludes his temple message by painting a picture of the broad scope of God’s relationship to the nations (vv. 1-11), to nature (vv. 12-13), and to mankind (vv. 14-25). He brings a charge on the fallacy of worshiping idols. God addressed the house of Israel wit …
What Happens to Those Who Burn Incense to The Gods of Moab
Moab who had once treated Israel as one caught among thieves (v. 27) was now forced to abandon her towns and dwell among the rocks to hide from the invader who sought her life (v. 28). Moab would now experience scorn, ridicule and calamity. Her past history of peace and physical …
An Opportunity to Make a Fresh Start
In addition to a new beginning God promised to make a New Covenant with His people (vv. 31-37). Here is the promise of a “New Covenant.” This is the only mention of a “New Covenant” in the OT (v. 31). There are some differences between the old and new cove …
Moab is Broken
The Moabites descended from Lot (Gen. 19:20-38) They were enemies of the Jews, proud, complacent and thought their God, Chemose would protect them (vv. 7, 46) from any enemy. Instead sorrow was to come to every Moabite home and on the streets. Moab was to no longer be a nat …
Jeremiah Gives a Warning
Several Army officers asked Jeremiah to pray for them and ask the Lord what He wants them to do (vv. 1-3). Jeremiah promises that he will and they promise they will do whatever the Lord says, even if it isn’t what they want to do (vv. 4-6) Ten days later the Lord gives them …