JEREMIAH 1
GOD’S CALLING + PURPOSE FOR JEREMIAH
Despite being a descendant of a priestly lineage, God chose and appointed Jeremiah to be a prophet to the nations before he was born. Jeremiah denied his calling, assuming he was too young to speak God’s messages. God told Jeremiah not to be afraid and promised to accompany and protect him.
God touched Jeremiah’s mouth, giving him the words to say. Jeremiah was given the message that Jerusalem would be plucked up, broken down, destroyed, and overthrown before it would be rebuilt and planted.
Jeremiah had two visions from God, the first of which was a staff or rod made of an almond branch. God explained that the branch implied that He would watch over Jeremiah and see that His Word was fulfilled.
The next image was of a boiling pot tilting down towards the south, symbolizing how the kingdoms north of Judah would oppose and oppress them. Judah would be overthrown, and the kings of other nations would express God’s judgment on Judah for turning to false gods.
Jeremiah will soon face severe opposition, but God promised to protect him like a fortified city with bronze walls.
Jeremiah 1:10 - See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.
JEREMIAH 2
GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE HAVE TURNED TO FALSE IDOLS
Jeremiah brings God’s message to the people of Jerusalem and reminds the people of God’s love and faithfulness towards them. God’s chosen people have turned away from Him and worshiped worthless idols. The Israelites are compared to a broken cistern unable to contain liquid. Because of their unfaithfulness, they have severed their closeness with God.
Comparing them to stubborn camels and wild donkeys, Jeremiah speaks of Israel’s rebellion against God and how they have gone astray. God was leading His people in the way they should go, but they did not want to follow.
Instead of honoring and praising God, the Israelites turned to other man-made gods as idols for guidance and protection. God has sent many prophets and signs, warning Israel to repent and turn back towards him, but they have not listened to them or regarded them. God’s people have trusted in things that will prove useless in times of need. God will bring His judgment on the people of Israel, showing His power and authority over false gods.
JEREMIAH 3
GOD REMAINS FAITHFUL TO HIS PEOPLE
God compares the Israelites to an unfaithful spouse who has left Him and given themselves to other, lesser gods. The people of Judah saw the Northern Kingdom of Israel make the same mistakes and be taken captive by Assyria, but instead of learning from their mistakes and consequences, they followed in the same sin and rebellion.
Despite their unfaithfulness, God calls for them to repent and return to Him. He will not be angry towards them, but instead show them mercy for acknowledging their guilt.
God speaks of a time when he will provide shepherds after His own heart, people who will feed them with knowledge and understanding. There will be a day when Jerusalem will be restored and known as God’s holy dwelling place. Although Israel has abandoned their faith in God, He has not abandoned them.
JEREMIAH 4
GOD DESIRES THE HEART OF HIS PEOPLE
God invites Judah to turn from their detestable ways and live in trust, justice, and righteousness. God does not want their false religiosity but instead wants to rid their hearts of evil. God compares the posture of their hearts to the ancient practice of circumcision, expressing His desire for their devotion.
Jeremiah shares the news of the coming invasion of Babylon, warning the people of Jerusalem to flee or repent. The disaster impeding Judah was brought on by their own sin and rebellion.
God mourned the loss of Jerusalem, distressed over the demise of His chosen people. His creation that was once fruitful and faithful would become desolate and ruined.
JEREMIAH 5
JUDAH’S SIN HAS LED THEM ASTRAY
The city of Jerusalem had become so unrepentant that there was not a single man who sought truth or justice. God was betrayed by His chosen people whom He continually protected and loved.
Because of Judah’s unfaithfulness, a distant nation will come against them and cause complete destruction of the city. The leaders and prophets are just as bad as anyone else, acting on their own accord, sharing false information with Jerusalem, and doubting God’s wrath.
Just as Judah had served other gods, they will now be exiled to serve foreign nations. The people of Jerusalem have no fear of God or respect for His authority. Their own iniquities have turned them away from God and their sin has deprived them of good.
JEREMIAH 6
WARNING THAT JUDAH WILL BE OVERTHROWN
God told Jerusalem to flee for safety, but the people did not listen. An army is coming from the north and Judah is told to prepare for war, but they do not pay attention. God claims that Jerusalem is a city that must be punished for their faithlessness and plans to allow oppression and destruction.
God does not want the empty sacrifices of Judah, He wants their hearts and affections. God expresses that His Word is meant to bring pleasure and blessing, but the Israelites scorn and ignore it. After years of constant mercy and warning, God plans to use Babylon to bring destruction upon Jerusalem.
JEREMIAH 7
JEREMIAH’S TEMPLE SPEECH
God instructed Jeremiah to stand at the temple gates and proclaim God’s Word, calling the people of Judah to repent and worship God alone. God’s personal dwelling place had become like a den of thieves, filled with people who only cared about themselves and ignored those in need. Jesus later quotes this phrase in Matthew 21:13 after overturning tables at the temple courts.
God warns Jeremiah that his prayers for Jerusalem will not be heard. The people have not returned to God or acknowledged their sins. They have no shame in their rebellion against God or breaking their promise to abide by His Word. Because of this, the once prosperous city will become nothing but a pile of corpses.
JEREMIAH 8
JEREMIAH GRIEVES OVER JUDAH’S FATE
The sin of Judah is so great that they will all be wiped out and death will become preferable to life in Judah. Jeremiah says that those who have rejected God’s Word have no wisdom and that even the wisest of Jerusalem will be put to shame. Judah was like a vine without grapes, fruitless and worthless.
Jeremiah mourns for the state of Judah. He is grieved by their actions and worship of other gods. Jeremiah is desperate for the people to rely on God instead of their strength!
JEREMIAH 9
GOD DESIRES INWARD AFFECTION
Jeremiah continues to mourn for the people of Judah and says his eyes are like a fountain of tears. Because they have refused to know God, they have become oppressive and deceitful.
In Genesis 11, the people were also prideful and self-reliant. They wanted to make a name for themselves, but God scattered and confused them. Similarly, God’s plan to punish Jerusalem involves scattering and separating them.
God challenges his people not to boast about their wealth, might, or wisdom, but instead only boast in knowing the Lord. Because a relationship with God is more valuable and necessary than anything else, it is the only thing worth finding confidence and value in. Those who practice steadfast love, justice, and righteousness are a delight to God.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 - Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
JEREMIAH 10
MANMADE IDOLS ARE ENTIRELY WORTHLESS
Jeremiah confronts the futility and worthlessness of man-made idols. God is the Creator of everything, including mankind and the trees cut down for idols. Jeremiah claims the idols are as worthless as scarecrows, unable to do anything or any good. Those who create and worship idols will be brought to shame. God is the only one worthy of worship!
Jeremiah continues to warn the people of Judah of the invasion coming from the north, referring to the Babylonians, but they do not listen or respond to messages of God’s wrath. Jeremiah cries out to God on Judah’s behalf, asking God to correct Judah and direct their steps.
JEREMIAH 11
ISRAEL + JUDAH HAVE BROKEN THEIR COVENANT
Because both Israel and Judah have broken their promise to obey God’s Word, disaster will come upon them. Their idolatrous ways have led them astray and caused them to abandon their faith.
God tells Jeremiah not to pray on behalf of Judah, because He will no longer listen or respond. Jeremiah brings his personal requests before God, asking Him to spare him from the people who oppose him and want him killed.
JEREMIAH 12
JEREMIAH QUESTIONS GOD’S PLANS
Jeremiah questions God, asking why the wicked prosper and the treacherous thrive. Jeremiah wants to know why God is allowing good things to happen to such terrible people. Why would God allow for a foreign pagan nation to overthrow His chosen people, even in their sinfulness?
God graciously replies to Jeremiah’s questions. God plans to abandon His people for a period of time, allowing them to be exiled by their enemies. God’s Promised Land will become desolate and barren, but God plans to eventually rebuild and reestablish them. God will allow His people to suffer the consequences of their idolatry, but will ultimately show them compassion.
The surrounding evil nations of Israel will be plucked up and destroyed if they do not listen to God and turn to Him in worship.
JEREMIAH 13
GOD WILL RUIN THE PRIDE OF JUDAH
God instructs Jeremiah to take the loincloth tied around his waist and hide it in the crevice of some rocks. Many days later, God tells Jeremiah to return to the loincloth, which was dirty and ruined. Comparing the people of Judah to the cloth, God tells of His plans to ruin their pride.
Instead of clinging to God’s truth in the way a cloth clings around the waist, the people of Judah clung to their own ways. Judah had the potential to be glorious and praiseworthy, but their potential was as wasted as the spoiled cloth.
Jeremiah continues warning the people of Judah that disaster is coming and will result in the entire kingdom’s exile.
JEREMIAH 14
JUDAH WILL FALL BY SWORD, FAMINE, AND PLAGUE
During a drought, the people of Judah cry out to God for water, but God does not respond to them. Because of their rebellion and wickedness, God plans to destroy the people by sword, famine, or plague.
Jeremiah spoke the truth, but other false prophets were lying to the people of Judah, telling them that nothing bad would happen to them. Jeremiah continues to repent for Judah, acknowledging their sin and wickedness, but there is no use pleading on behalf of the fallen nation.
JEREMIAH 15
GOD WILL DELIVER JEREMIAH FROM HIS OPPOSITION
God tells Jeremiah that He will not answer the requests of Judah during the drought. Judah is in such a rebellious state, that God would not have responded to Moses or Samuel under the same conditions. Death, destruction, or captivity were inevitable for those who did not repent.
Although the Israelites will oppose and reject Jeremiah, he is called to be God’s spokesperson to the people of Judah. God promises to deliver Jeremiah and lead him to prevail over those who fight against him.
JEREMIAH 16
JEREMIAH INSTRUCTED NOT TO MARRY OR HAVE CHILDREN
Because there will soon be great suffering and devastation in Judah, God tells Jeremiah not to marry or have children. Although this sounds harsh, God does not want Jeremiah to have loved ones facing the destruction that would occur during his lifetime. Often, God’s prophets will experience loneliness, rejection, and hardship so that they are able to understand what God is feeling towards His people.
When the people of Judah question the reason for their demise, Jeremiah tells them that the source of their misery is from forsaking God and worshiping idols. Although the Israelites will be exiled because of their rebellion, God will redeem their situation and bring them back. Similar to God’s rescue of the Israelites from Egypt, God plans to eventually restore and rebuild Jerusalem for His glory.
JEREMIAH 17
THE HEARTS OF JUDAH ARE ENGRAVED WITH SIN
Judah’s sin is so ingrained in their lives, that it becomes engraved in their hearts. Instead of turning their hearts towards God, their hearts have become filled with deceit and sinfulness. God will search their hearts and bless those who trust in God instead of man or false idols. God provides peace and abundance to those who put their faith in His provision.
Jeremiah, standing at the temple gates, calls for the people of Judah to honor the Sabbath day and remember God’s holiness. Even in their sinful state, God desires rest for His people.
JEREMIAH 18
JUDAH IS MOLDABLE LIKE CLAY IN GOD’S HAND
Per God’s instruction, Jeremiah visits the home of a potter, where he witnessed the potter shaping and reshaping clay. God uses this as a symbol of Judah, who is like clay in His hands, able to be broken and reformed. God can shape them however He desires according to their faithfulness. God is grieved over His people and how they have forgotten Him. Unless the people of Judah repent, they will experience disaster
Jeremiah knows that he will continue to face resistance and mockery when delivering God’s message to Judah. Jeremiah is starting to finally understand God’s frustration and hurt regarding Judah. Instead of praying for them as he has previously, Jeremiah rebukes Judah.
JEREMIAH 19
THE NATION OF JUDAH WILL SOON BE SHATTERED
Jeremiah purchased a clay flask from the potter and brought it back to the priests and leaders of Jerusalem. After delivering a message of warning to the people, Jeremiah smashed the pottery as a visualization of God smashing the nation into pieces.
Because Judah has refused to listen to God’s messages, an enemy from the north would attack and destroy them. Judah’s plans will be thwarted, and God’s plans will prevail.
JEREMIAH 20
JEREMIAH LAMENTS THE STRUGGLE OF HIS CALLING
Because of his prophecy against the nation Judah, Jeremiah was beaten and put in the stocks by the chief priest, Pashur. Once he is released, Jeremiah tells Pashur that his fate consists of captivity and death.
Jeremiah laments the opposition and oppression he faces. He curses the day that he was born and anguishes over his calling as a prophet. Despite facing rejection and persecution, Jeremiah still has “fire in his bones” (v.9) and does not stop sharing God’s message.