JEREMIAH 21
ONLY THOSE WHO REPENT WILL BE SAVED
Judah’s final king, Zedekiah, sends Jeremiah messages regarding Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. Jeremiah knows that those who remain in Jerusalem will die during the Babylonian takeover, either by the sword, famine, or plague, as God has spoken in Jeremiah 14.
Only those who turn to God will be saved. Jeremiah warns the leaders of Judah to act with justice and righteousness before the coming judgment. The account of Judah being overthrown by Babylon is recorded in 2 Kings 24.
JEREMIAH 22
GOD WARNS THE UNRIGHTEOUS KINGS + LEADERS
Jeremiah spoke of God’s judgment towards the kings and the leaders of Judah, warning them to enact justice and righteousness. God promises that the palace, the place where they resided, will be destroyed. People of other nations will see the palace in Judah and wonder what happened for God to express that much wrath and anger. Ultimately, it was Judah’s faithlessness and worship of false gods that caused the destruction.
God gave specific messages to previous kings of Judah, warning that their deaths will not be mourned and that they will be turned over to the Babylonians.
JEREMIAH 23
A RIGHTEOUS KING WILL COME FROM THE LINE OF DAVID
Because Israel’s leaders have failed, the people have been driven away and scattered about like sheep. God will raise a righteous king from the line of David who will gather the remnant like a shepherd. Jeremiah is telling about God’s plans to send Jesus as both a gentle shepherd and mighty king.
God opposes the false prophets who tell lies about His character and His plans, saying their path leads only to darkness and disaster. The prophets of the northern kingdom of Israel were prophets of other gods, but Judah had false prophets leading people astray as well, despite their closeness to the temple.
God fills the heavens and the earth with His presence, there is nothing outside of His vision or knowledge. Shame was coming upon the false prophets who spread lies about God.
JEREMIAH 24
JEREMIAH’S VISION OF THE FIGS
Jeremiah saw a vision of two baskets of figs, one with fruitful, ripe figs and one with bad, rotten figs. The good basket of figs represents the remnant, or the remaining faithful Israelites, who were the first to be taken into Babylonian captivity under King Jehoiachin. God plans to bring back and restore those who have been steadfast.
The bad figs represent those who were exiled under Judah’s final king, Zedekiah, who led them into further sin and faithlessness. Death by sword, famine, and plagues await those who have been unfaithful to God.
JEREMIAH 25
GOD’S WRATH WILL BE POURED OUT ON JUDAH
By the first year of King Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Jeremiah had been warning the people of Judah for twenty-three years that disaster was coming. The people of Judah did not listen to Jeremiah and turn from their idolatry.
God’s plan for Judah was to allow Babylon to take them into captivity for seventy years, leaving the land desolate and destroyed. God’s wrath is described as a cup of wine, from which Judah and surrounding nations would soon drink.
JEREMIAH 26
THE PEOPLE WANT TO KILL JEREMIAH
God led Jeremiah to stand at the temple and bring a message calling the people of Judah to worship God alone. This event is either a similar speech to Jeremiah’s earlier temple speech in Jeremiah 7 or a retelling of that event.
Jeremiah tells of Judah’s coming destruction and announces that the temple will be destroyed. Although it was not always used in a way that honored God, the people of Judah were proud of the temple as their landmark, and news of it being destroyed was upsetting and offensive.
The leaders of Israel wanted to kill Jeremiah for slander, but the court officials stopped them. Jeremiah was compared to the prophet Micah, who also shared God’s message of warning and call to repentance.
JEREMIAH 27
JEREMIAH TELLS OF THE YOKE OF BABYLON
When confronting the kings of nearby nations, Jeremiah wears a yoke as a symbol of the oppression and lack of autonomy that will happen when they are captured by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians.
The false prophets lie to Judah, giving them dishonest ideas of what their future holds. They tell the people that the stolen temple artifacts will be returned to Judah and that the Babylonian exile will be short-lived. But God says otherwise, that the items will never be returned and that the exile will last seventy years.
JEREMIAH 28
JEREMIAH CONFRONTS FALSE PROPHETS
In direct contrast with the prophecies of Jeremiah, the false prophet, Hananiah, tells the people of Judah that the exiles will soon return and there will not be great burdens placed upon them.
Jeremiah trusted God’s plans and responded to Hananiah’s lies with confidence. Jeremiah was comfortable to wait and see what God would do, knowing that God would keep His word.
In anger at this response, Hananiah broke Jeremiah’s wooden yoke. God gave Jeremiah a message for Hananiah, telling him that the wooden yoke would instead be replaced with an iron yoke. With this message, Jeremiah predicted that Hananiah would soon die, which occurred within the year.
JEREMIAH 29
GOD HAS GOOD PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
Jeremiah sends a letter to the Israelites who have already been taken captive by Babylon, telling them not to listen to false prophets. God has told Jeremiah that they will be in exile for seventy years and Jeremiah encourages them to start establishing themselves in Babylon. The people are instructed to build homes and gardens, marry and have children, and attempt to live fruitfully instead of wasting away.
Although they are in exile, God has plans for the future that can build hope and encouragement in the Israelites. Although God’s words in Jeremiah 29:11 are directed toward the people of Israel in a time of exile, they point to God’s redemptive and loving character.
The false prophets offer false hope built on lies and empty promises. But Jeremiah offers true hope, rooted in God’s overarching plan for reconciliation and restoration.
JEREMIAH 30
GOD WILL BRING HEALING + RESTORATION TO JUDAH
God instructs Jeremiah to write down his prophecy related to the restoration of Israel. God promised that the Israelites would one day be brought back into the land of their ancestors. Because the people of Israel are the descendants of the twelve sons of Jacob, God refers to the Israelites as Jacob in this passage, showing how they will be unified and restored.
Instead of serving under a ruthless foreign king, God is planning to raise a new king from the line of David. Under the rule of this king, God’s people will be faithful and steadfast.
The Israelites would be scattered throughout surrounding nations, but those nations would also be destroyed. Although the Israelites will face trouble, they will ultimately be restored to peace and prosperity. God is reminding the Israelites of His promise to them in Deuteronomy 30:3.
JEREMIAH 31
GOD TURNS MOURNING INTO DANCING
Jeremiah continues his prophecy for the future of Israel and Judah. God calls for singing and rejoicing, knowing that His plans for Israel will bring them great joy. God has loved His people with an everlasting love and remained faithful to them.
God promises that the descendants of Israel will always remain a nation. Although they were scattered, God will bring them back together for His glory.
God will create a new covenant with the Israelites. Instead of writing the covenant on stone, like the commandments, God will write the covenant on their hearts. This imagery shows God’s desire for our hearts and affections more than our sacrifices or rule-following.
With the new covenant, God’s people will know and acknowledge Him. God will forgive the people of their sins and idolatry.
Jeremiah 31:33 - For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
JEREMIAH 32
JEREMIAH IMPRISONED FOR HIS PROPHECY
During the reign of Judah’s King Zedekiah, Jeremiah was imprisoned for his prophecy against Judah. While in prison, God tells Jeremiah that his cousin will come to visit, and he is to buy property from him. Shortly after, this occurs, and Jeremiah purchases the land.
This land, now owned by Jeremiah, was surrounded by Babylon and about to be destroyed. This purchase was symbolic of Jeremiah’s faith in God and His promise to restore the Israelites to their land. Jeremiah believes that nothing is too difficult for God to accomplish.
Disaster was still approaching Jerusalem because of the sins of Judah, but God had plans to bring the Israelites back to the land He originally brought them into. God delights in bringing goodness and joy to His people!
JEREMIAH 33
GOD WILL RESTORE THE PROSPERITY OF JERUSALEM
God declares that destruction and devastation are coming upon Jerusalem through the force of the Babylonians. God speaks to Jeremiah again while he is imprisoned, letting him know that although many would die soon, God plans to bring health and healing eventually.
God allows Jerusalem to be overthrown and destroyed because of their sin and rebellion. Although God allows consequences and punishment, He also shows compassion and plans to restore and rebuild a new Jerusalem.
Reaffirming God’s promises to David, Jeremiah tells of a future righteous leader who will be raised from David’s lineage. This future leader, referring to Jesus, will serve as both a king and a priest.
JEREMIAH 34
ZEDEKIAH ENSLAVES OTHER ISRAELITES
Jeremiah records a prophecy explaining that the Babylonians would defeat Jerusalem and take the people of Judah into captivity during the time of King Zedekiah.
God rebukes Zedekiah for enslaving the Israelites, His own people, acting explicitly against God's law. Zedekiah is initially obedient and agrees to free the slaves and God tells him that he will die peacefully. Once Zedekiah and the other slave masters see the freed slaves, they revoke their freedom and enslave them once again. In doing this, Zedekiah breaks the covenant with God and will suffer under the Babylonian exile.
JEREMIAH 35
THE RECHABITES EXHIBIT FAITHFULNESS + OBEDIENCE
While Jehoiakim is king, he invites the Rechabites, a nomadic clan that lived alongside the Israelites, into the temple and offers them wine. As a part of their tradition, the Rechabites do not traditionally drink alcohol, so they refuse. This story shows the contrast between the self-control and faithfulness of this obscure group in comparison to the rebellion of God’s chosen people.
Through the many prophets, God warns Judah that Jerusalem would be overthrown if they do not repent, but the people ignore God’s advice. God tells Jeremiah that disaster is coming upon Judah for their disobedience and lack of faith, but God promises to protect the Rechabite family for their obedience.
JEREMIAH 36
JEREMIAH’S SCROLL IS DESTROYED BY JEHOIAKIM
Jeremiah commissions Baruch as a scribe to compile his teachings and stories of Jeremiah’s life. Jeremiah tells Baruch to share his message of prophecy at the temple. Upon reading Jeremiah’s dictations, the officials are fearful and take the scroll, warning Baruch to go into hiding.
The scroll is read to King Jehoiakim, who is in disbelief that Babylon will invade Judah. After hearing the scroll, Jehoiakim destroys it by cutting and burning it piece by piece.
Jeremiah retells his prophecy to Baruch, who continues to record his messages.
JEREMIAH 37
JEREMIAH REMAINS FAITHFUL TO GOD’S MESSAGE OF WARNING
Nebuchadnezzar appoints Zedekiah as king over Judah. During this time, Babylon begins to siege Jerusalem but withdraws momentarily to turn their attention towards Egypt.
Jeremiah knows the Babylonians are only temporarily distracted and that they will still invade Judah under Zedekiah’s leadership. Jeremiah is beaten and arrested for his message of prophecy and warning against Judah.
While Jeremiah is imprisoned, Zedekiah comes to ask what he has heard from God. Jeremiah remains steadfast in his message regarding Judah, knowing they will soon be overthrown by Babylon.
JEREMIAH 38
ZEDEKIAH REFUSES TO SURRENDER
Jeremiah continues sharing his message of warning with Judah, but the people do not respond positively. Despite their obvious rebellion and the beginning of the siege, the people do not want to hear about Babylon’s impending attack.
Because of his message, Jeremiah is thrown into a deep, muddy cistern. A non-Israelite man named Ebed-Melek sees what happened and pleads with the king to release Jeremiah. Ebed-Melek, using rags and cloth tied together, retrieves Jeremiah from the cistern.
After Jeremiah was saved, Zedekiah meets with him. Jeremiah tells Zedekiah that his family will be spared if he surrenders to Babylon, but Zedekiah is conflicted and fearful of how the people of Judah will react to his surrender.
JEREMIAH 39
THE FALL OF JERUSALEM
Babylon fully sieges Jerusalem, taking Zedekiah and the people of Judah into exile. Buildings are burned down and the city walls are destroyed. This chapter highlights the culmination of Jeremiah’s warnings, describing his prophecies becoming reality.
Zedekiah attempts to flee, but Nebuchadnezzar brutally murders his sons before his eyes. This was Zedekiah’s last sight, as his eyes were gouged out immediately afterward.
Because Jeremiah previously urged Judah to surrender to Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar tells the officials not to harm Jeremiah. Ebed-Melek will also be protected for saving Jeremiah from the cistern.
JEREMIAH 40
JEREMIAH REMAINS IN JUDAH TO ADVISE GEDALIAH
Nebuchadnezzar appoints Nebuzaradan, his captain, to oversee Judah. Jeremiah is given the choice to go to Babylon or remain in Judah. Jeremiah remains in Judah to advise Gedaliah, the appointed governor of the Judah’s remnant under Babylonian control. Jeremiah encourages Gedaliah to plant vineyards and peacefully dwell in the land.
Ishmael, a ruler in Judah, wants Gedaliah killed. Johanan, one of the leaders of Judah, hears of this news and offers to kill Ishmael. Gedaliah is not concerned by the threat and does not have Ishmael killed.