Jeremiah: Prophet from 547-c. 480 BC
This
is what the Lord says:
“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the
good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for
your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV)
READ: Jeremiah 2, 27, 52
The rise and fall of the kingdom
of Judah was directly related to their devotion to God. The kings would prosper when they walked in
the ways of God and they would suffer when they were rebellious. During the time of the kings, God sent
prophets to warn the king and the people to return to the Lord and follow His
ways. These prophets often spoke of
coming judgment as well as the possibility of restoration. Jeremiah began prophesying in Judah halfway
through the reign of Josiah in the kingdom of Judah until the kingdom fell
under the rule of Zedekiah. Jeremiah’s
messages were timely and directly related to the prevailing conditions of the
political, social and religious life of the people. Portraying the sinful conditions existing in
Judah, Jeremiah pointed out the problem – their love and devotion toward God
was lacking. They had forsaken God and
had ignored His laws and instead had turned to idolatry. Fear, reverence, respect and love for God
were missing. Jeremiah warned the people
that the Northern Kingdom had been taken into captivity because of their sin
and God’s judgement was near because they too had forsaken Him. Because of their evil actions they would be
taken into captivity including the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. The message so gripped him that he was moved
to deep compassion for his people.
Jeremiah realized that his message of punishment was because they had
forsaken the law of God and had been disobedient. Devastation, death, destruction and exile was
imminent. Jeremiah lived through one of
the most difficult experiences that any prophet faced in his ministry. The kingdom was disintegrating as eventually
the Babylonians began their final siege on Jerusalem under the rule of
Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah informed king
Zedekiah that the city would fall.
Neither the people nor the king was interested in listening to the
message of Jeremiah. During this time
Jeremiah was beaten and imprisoned and announced safety for those who
surrendered to the Babylonians. He made
it clear that surrender meant preservation of life whereas rebellion would
bring the capture of the king and the loss of the city. Eventually the city was taken by the
Babylonians but they released Jeremiah and showed kindness to him, even
allowing him to choose the place of his residence. Most scholars believe that Jeremiah lived out
the rest of his life in Egypt, still seeking to turn the people towards
God. There is no record of how he
died.
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1. Where do you feel weak in your faith?
2. Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?
3. Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.
