Jeremiah

Jeremiah

Historical Background & Purpose of Prophet:

“…his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I cant do it! (Jeremiah 20:9) This is how Jeremiah expresses feeling if he were to hold in God’s messages of “…violence and destruction…” against Judah. This caused Jeremiah to weep and wail, for it pained him deeply that destruction and God’s judgment was coming for his people and land. (Jeremiah 9:10, 48:5) Jeremiah, with a burdened heart and eyes full of tears, prophesied to Judah about Gods coming judgment. During Jeremiahs forty year ministry to Judah we see the grief of Gods heart expressed through Jeremiah as he proclaims condemnation on rebellious Judah. Jeremiah prophesied, and pleaded, with Judah to turn from their corrupt ways and repent. The first stage of Jeremiah’s ministry happened during a time when Judah was threatened by Assyria and Egypt, the second stage right before and during Babylon’s siege of Judah and finally to Jerusalem and Egypt post exile. (Nelson’s 209)

Character & Nature of God:

The book of Jeremiah reveals God’s broken heart over sin and when his children (Israel and us) rebel against him. “My wayward children, come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.” (Jeremiah 3:22) Gods justice is revealed in this book, and many would say we see God’s judgment. This is true, but what God communicates louder than judgment is His desire to restore Israel. He wants to be Israel’s husband (2:1-3, 3:1-18, 31:31, 31-34), Israel’s father (3:19, 31:9, 20), Israel’s shepherd (23:1-4, 31:10), Israel’s vinedresser (2:21), Israel’s physician (8:18-9:1, 30:12-17), and Israel’s potter (18:20).

God's Redemptive Plan:

“The day is coming when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as husband loves his wife. But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day; I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (Jeremiah 31:31-33) This new coming that Jeremiah prophesies about reveals Gods desire for mankind to be affected in their hearts and internalize the covenant. Jesus is also foreshadowed, brining hope to Judah of a perfect ruler coming to set all thing right! (Jeremiah 23:1-7)

Personal Application

 

Jeremiah 17:7-8

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” This verse really caught my attention because it seems to capture the secret of living a lifetime with God. When God becomes my everything; my hope in all situations and my confidence in all areas of my life I will be blessed. If I trust in Him my blessing if that He will always be my provision and provide all that I need. When hard seasons come, tragedy strikes or when I feel dry and empty I will not be shaken. Not only will I not be shaken, but I will flourish, and even better produce life  in the hard times. This truth is so powerful. I will start working on memorizing this verse since it so powerfully speaks to me! 

 

Point of Passion

Jeremiah 6: 16

 

“Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your soul.”

This verse stood out to me for women seeking Jesus in the midst of oppression. When growing in trust and in Jesus we must wait on the Lord in everything. We become holy by the blood of Jesus, but we walk in that holiness when we make choices that align with our new identity. "Ask for the old, godly way..." would mean looking to the word of God and righteous women around us. It might not seem cool or relevant to us; but when we walk in truth we find ultimate freedom in Jesus and rest for our souls.