Book of Jeremiah

• The book of Jeremiah chronicles the ministry, calling, and development of Jeremiah as a prophet.

Historical Background

• Jeremiah's ministry took place during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, marked by the reigns of Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah.
• Josiah initiated reforms to eliminate idolatry after discovering the book of the law.
• Powerful empires, like Egypt and Babylon, threatened Judah during the reigns of Josiah's sons.
• King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon eventually captured Jerusalem and took many people captive.
• Jeremiah's prophecies often delivered messages of repentance, which contrasted with the political views of the time.
• He is known as the "weeping prophet".

The Calling of Jeremiah

• God called Jeremiah to be a prophet and taught him how to listen to Him.
• God told Jeremiah He knew him before birth, had set him apart, and ordained him as a prophet to the nations.
• God appoints or ordains a minister by setting them apart for a specific purpose.
• God provides a "gift" to others through them and appreciates their entire life.
• The calling must be answered, a waiting period ensues and only after that does the calling happen.
• This pattern is shown in Acts with Barnabas and Paul called for missionary work.
• Jeremiah’s charge was to go where sent and say what he was commanded to say.
• Jeremiah was told not to fear people's reactions, as some would be angry or upset.
• God promised to be with Jeremiah to "deliver" him, meaning to rescue or snatch him from danger.

God Touches Jeremiah's Mouth

• God touched Jeremiah's mouth, either in a vision or physically, signifying that He was giving him the words to speak.
• Similar to Isaiah's calling, where an angel touched his mouth with a burning coal.
• Even when Jeremiah faced opposition, he felt compelled to speak, even when people readily sinned.
• Jeremiah was to focus on uprooting, tearing down, destroying, and overthrowing, as well as building and planting via the doom they would experience if they continue to sin.

Receiving Revelation in Pictures

• God taught Jeremiah to understand revelation through visions.
• The first vision was of an almond tree rod, symbolizing the coming of springtime.
• God explained that He was watching to ensure His word would be fulfilled.
• The Hebrew words for "hasten" (shaqad) and "almond tree" (shaqed) are similar.
• The next vision was of a seething pot tilting away from the North, signifying disaster coming from that direction.
• The Hebrew words for “seething pot” (naphach) and “disaster will be poured out” (kaphach) rhyme

Jeremiah’s First Prophecy

• The people forsook God.
• They burned incense to other gods.
• They worshipped what their hands had made.
• People are caught in the trap of worshipping money and power, like worshipping Baal.

Jeremiah 1:17

• The phrase "gird up thy loins" means to get ready for action and to rely on God as the source of strength.
• If you do not rely on God, then you will not be able to do what he has asked you to do
• God tells Jeremiah not to be terrified by the people, or God will terrify him (a play on words using "dismayed" and "confound").
• God made Jeremiah a defensed city, an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the land, its leaders, and its people.
• God was with Jeremiah, promising to deliver him from any situation, working through visions and audible words.
• God has not changed for his prophets and will work with every believer to help them grow.