The BOOK – Before the fall

The prophecies of Jeremiah before the fall of Jerusalem are shown from chapter 2 to 28.

·         Prophecies in the reign of Josiah (Jeremiah 2:1 – 12:17)

·         Prophecies in the reign of Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 13:1 – 20:18; 25:1 – 27:11)

·         Prophecies in the reign of Zedekiah (Jeremiah 21:1 – 24:10; 27:12 – 39:18)

The first 12 chapters cover the prophecy in the period of Josiah. It covers Judah’s sin and God’s call to repentance. Idolatry and disobedience are continued in the following chapters. Jeremiah warned them of coming judgements if they would not return to God. He especially told them of the danger from the north (Jeremiah 4:6). In Jeremiah 11:18-23, we see some men in his hometown making a conspiracy to put him to death. The disloyalty of his neighbours, and especially his own relatives, came as a painful shack to the unsuspecting prophet. At that time God told him that this was only the beginning of his troubles and it was time of preparation for still greater trials in the days to come (Jeremiah 12:5-6). If you are going through trouble because of following the true God, this is a word for you too. Jeremiah’s chief enemies were the priests and the prophets (Jeremiah 26:7-8). They had a large following among the people. It is sad to notice that the principal opposition to the message of God came from the professedly religious people. Christ Jesus tells us that today if we live godly lives we will suffer persecution. Many people hate God and they will hate his children.

King Josiah was succeeded by his younger brother Jehoahaz whom the people of the land placed on the throne instead of the older brother Eliakim. But Jehoahaz was allowed to reign for only 3 months. He was deposed by Necho and carried off in chains to Egypt, where he died. Jeremiah predicted the judgement of the nations and Judah. He reproved the false prophets. He foretold the Babylonian captivity. He suffered for his message. 

When Jehoiakim ascended to power, it was bad day for Judah and for Jeremiah (Jeremiah 26:1-7). Jehoiakim was a bad ruler. He was proud and selfish. He weighted the land down with taxes to meet the demands of his Egyptian conquer. He was indifferent for the suffering of his people. He devoted most of his time to enlarging and adoring palace and carried out his costly schemes with incredible meanness. He reined 11 years, and after his death his son, a youth of 18, came to the throne. But Jehoiachin’s reign was short because Nebuchadnezzar’s army soon appeared at the gates of Jerusalem, and after a 3 month siege the city was captured. He took away with him many of the princes and the flower of the people to Babylon. Among them were Jehoiachin and the queen mother. It was then that Jeremiah first mentioned the 70 years captivity (Jeremiah 25:1-14). God told them just how long they must remain in exile (Daniel 9:2).

Jeremiah’s mission was to endeavour to turn his people back to God. During the reign of Josiah, he began to prophecy the dreadful calamity threatening them from the north (Jeremiah 4:6) if they would not return to God. Jeremiah told Judah that her salvation was still possible, but each year her sin grew worse and her doom more certain. Standing in the temple, Jeremiah told the people that the Temple would be destroyed and Jerusalem itself would become desolation. Jeremiah’s hearers were shocked (Jeremiah 26:7-9). They called his word blasphemy.

The Jewish people always remembered that they were the chosen people of God. God had given them privileges, hence they concluded that God would not proceed to do such things as Jeremiah has said he would do against the people whom he had chosen (Amos 3:2).

The 4^th year of Jehoiakim was one to be remembered because in this year Jeremiah first put his prophesied in writing on a roll (Jeremiah 36:1-2). Baruch, his intimate friend who was such a comfort to him through his trials, took down the prophet’s words. When 3 or 4 columns were read before the King, he was not able to agree and control himself. With penknife and angry hands he cut the rolls to pieces and threw it into the fire. 

Lord commanded Jeremiah to take another roll and to write and he took another scroll and gave it to Baruch and Baruch wrote. Jeremiah stood in the temple gate and spoke boldly for righteousness and God. He uttered a series of accusations against Judah and warnings of God’s inevitable judgements of sin. But he always made an appeal to turn back to God and receive forgiveness.

We see the warnings God gave to his chosen people so that they can leave sin and live a righteous life. God chosed Jeremiah for cautioning the people. In the beginning of his ministry he faced difficulties, which God told was just a beginning of the trials he is going to face. From this book, we can understand two things. First one is to honour God and live a godly life when we are told about our sin. Because otherwise, even when grace is unlimited, we may have to face the punishment. Second is to understand when you carry God in your life, hardship will always be there following you. 

Praying that God will help you to live a life closer with him and pour out his Spirit’s anointing on you to face the battles boldly and overcome it, Amen.