Jeremiah Laments

The book of Lamentations is attributed to Jeremiah (2 Chronicles 36:25). Five beautiful poems are bound together in this book. Here we see the prophet weeping over the sins of his people. In Lamentations 3:22-27, the light breaks through to throw a shining rainbow across the murky sky. God’s grace always shines above the clouds of sin, and it will always shine in the heart that is trusting in God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord Jesus Christ gives, “to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” – Isaiah 61:3.

Similar to the book of Job, Lamentations shows a man of God puzzling about the results of evil and suffering in the world. While Job was dealing with an unexplained evil in his life, Jeremiah lamented over the tragedy of Jerusalem. The people of city went through tough times. This book laments over the result of sin in the world, and some verse of hope in the Lord (Lamentations 3:22-25). This verse of faith will build us strong in the midst of darkness and a light to all those suffering under the results of sin and disobedience.

This book of Lamentation reminds us the importance of asking Lord for the forgiveness of our sins when we fail him. As you see in Chapter 3, the hope of a better day, may the Lord empower you with his wisdom and knowledge to hope in faith of the beautiful days ahead with Christ Jesus. Amen

God’s Prophet - Jeremiah

Jeremiah came from the village of Anathoth some 3 miles from Jerusalem. This gave him the advantages of the Holy City. He inherited the traditions of an illustrious ancestry. His early life was, no doubt, molded by strong religious influences. God had something better for Jeremiah than to spend his life as a priest serving at the alters. God appointed this young man to be a prophet of the Lord in this most trying hour in the history of the chosen people. God often choses unlikely instruments to do his work. He chose the sensitive shrinking Jeremiah for what seemed a hopeless mission, with the words, “Do not say, I am only a child, you must go to everyone I send you to say whatever I command you, do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you, declares the Lord” – (Jeremiah 1:7-8). This is what a prophet is - one that tells forth what God says.

Jeremiah prophesied during the time when Israel had been taken into captivity and Judah was in the declining days. Lists of the prophecies of Jeremiah are:

·         Judah – Captivity. Restoration

·         Cities – Jerusalem, Babylon, Damascus

·         Gentile nations – Egypt, Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Edom, Elam, Babylon

·         Messiah

Jeremiah uses many symbols given him by God in teaching the people. On one occasion he wore a rotted girdle, another time he put a yoke on his neck, like an ox, again he broke a bottle in the presence of the ruler, he bought a field and buried the deed. He was the ninth of the prophets. He prophesied to the Southern Kingdom of Judah, before the exile and during the trying days of the captivity. He saw five kings upon the throne of Judah: Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah. He was to Josiah what Isaiah had been to Hezekiah. 

There were three main events in Jeremiah’s life:

·         Battle of Megiddo, between Judah ad Pharaoh Necho of Egypt in which good king Josiah was killed

·         Battle of Carchemish, which happened during Jehoiakim’s reign. Egyptians were defeated by Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar and the first deportation of Jews followed.

·         Capture of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, destruction of city and temple, and exile of greater part of those who were left by Babylon.

A prophet is simply God’s messenger boy delivering not his own ideas, but conveying to the last detail God’s thoughts. Jeremiah’s commission was worldwide, including not only his own country, but also all nations and kingdom of Egypt, Ammon, Moab, Tyre and Sidon. His commission was to root out the idolatry and pride and to say only what the Lord commanded him to say.

In Jeremiah 1:9, you see the touch of God on Jeremiah’s life. “Then the Lord reached out his hand”. This touch of God on his life gave him the confidence that God was with him and he could not get away from it. God’s word shows its power in two ways – in destruction and in construction. We see this in God’s words to Jeremiah. If people accept God’s word it will give life, it they reject it, it will bring condemnation (John 3:36).

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.

Other prophets in the Bible had at least occasional success to cheer their hearts in the midst of difficulties, but Jeremiah seemed to be fighting a losing battle to the very end. Disaster, failure and hostility were rewards for his work. He preached to deaf ears and seemed to reap only hate in return for his love for his people. In life he seemed to accomplish little. He was broken hearted. But God has given us a record that makes him one of the greatest prophets. God delights to trust a trustworthy child with a trial. When we go through tough times, stay connected with the love of God, even though you don’t see any results.

May Almighty help you to understand the relationship between Jeremiah and God, so that you can have him as an example in your life, and live a holy and faithful life to glorify God.

The BOOK – Jeremiah Laments

In the book of Jeremiah we see Judah leaving the Lord, and through Jeremiah God sending warnings of judgements for people to return to his commandments. 

The book of Lamentations is attributed to Jeremiah. Five beautiful poems are bound together in this book. Here we see the prophet weeping over the sins of his people. In Lamentations 3:22-27, the light breaks through to throw a shining rainbow across the murky sky. God’s grace always shines above the clouds of sin, and it will always shine in the heart that is trusting in God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord Jesus Christ gives, “to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” – Isaiah 61:3.

As you see in Chapter 3, the hope of a better day, may the Lord empower you with his wisdom and knowledge to hope in faith of the beautiful days ahead with Christ Jesus. Amen

The BOOK – After the Fall

From Jeremiah 39 to 52 we see in the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim, Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah and Jehoiakim was put into chains. Only the poor were left in Jerusalem now. Jeremiah likens them to bad, worthless figs, in contrast to those who had gone who were good figs (Jeremiah 24). The men who left were so weak and degenerate that the prophet could see nothing but doom for Jerusalem. Jeremiah incurred the displeasure of the prophets who had gone to Babylon because, in a letter to the exiles, he directly opposed their prediction of an early return from captivity (Jeremiah 29:1-14). Neither did the prophets in Jerusalem like it because they thought that soon they could throw off the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar.

Nebuchadnezzar swiftly marched against Jerusalem and the final siege began. As the siege proceeded, the hostility of Jeremiah’s enemies became more intense. They charged him with desertion and thrust him into prison. They even petitioned the King to put him to death (Jeremiah 38:4). They chose a worse thing for Jeremiah. They lowered hi chords into a miry dungeon, and left him to die of starvation and exposure. But God was with him and rose up a friend to deliver him (Jeremiah 38:6-13). 

After eighteen months of siege, Jerusalem was taken and Jeremiah was given the choice of going to Babylon where freedom and honour awaited him, but he chose to cast his lot with the remnant left in the land (Jeremiah 39:11-12; 40:1-16). At the same time Jeremiah was crying out against Babylon for the heinous crime in destroying God’s children. He told them Babylon would be demolished and would be in ruins forever (Jeremiah 51:37-43). By the time of Christ, Babylon’s power had gone, and in the first century AD, it was mostly in ruins. 

When the first deportation of Jews to Babylon occurred, Jeremiah wrote predictions which are seen throughout Jeremiah 24 to 49.

·         Concerning God’s future dealings with Judah (Jeremiah 23, 31)

·         Conquest of land by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon (Jeremiah 20:4)

·         Judah’s exile or captivity in Babylon and return after seventy years (Jeremiah 25 and 26)

·         Concerning the Messiah (Jeremiah 23:6; 30:4-11; 33:14-26)

·         Israel will be scattered among all the kingdoms of the earth (Jeremiah 24)

·         Final recovery of Israel (Jeremiah 23:1-40; 32:37-41)

Jeremiah 23 is dear to the Jews; God’s chosen people and dear to the heart of God. It tells of the future of Judah, redeemed through the work of their Messiah. Jesus, the good shepherd, is promised (Jeremiah 23:1,3). He will gather his sheep from every corner of the earth and they will return to their own country, the Promised Land. This will take place when the King shall come and sit upon the throne of David (Jeremiah 23:5).

Other prophets in the Bible had at least occasional success to cheer their hearts in the midst of difficulties, but Jeremiah seemed to be fighting a losing battle to the very end. Disaster, failure and hostility were rewards for his work. He preached to deaf ears and seemed to reap only hate in return for his love for his people. In life he seemed to accomplish little. He was broken hearted. But God has given us a record that makes him one of the greatest prophets. God delights to trust a trustworthy child with a trial. When we go through tough times, stay connected with the love of God, even though you don’t see any results. May this book remind you to be a faithful child of God even when your prayers are not answered. Amen.

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.

The BOOK – The Touch

Jeremiah came from the village of Anathoth some 3 miles from Jerusalem. This gave him the advantages of the Holy City. He inherited the traditions of an illustrious ancestry. His early life was, no doubt, molded by strong religious influences. God had something better for Jeremiah than to spend his life as a priest serving at the alters. God appointed this young man to be a prophet of the Lord in this most trying hour in the history of the chosen people. God often choses unlikely instruments to do his work. He chose the sensitive shrinking Jeremiah for what seemed a hopeless mission, with the words, “Do not say, I am only a child, you must go to everyone I send you to say whatever I command you, do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you, declares the Lord” – (Jeremiah 1:7-8). This is what a prophet is - one that tells forth what God says.

Jeremiah prophesied during the time when Israel had been taken into captivity and Judah was in the declining days. Lists of the prophecies of Jeremiah are:

·         Judah – Captivity. Restoration

·         Cities – Jerusalem, Babylon, Damascus

·         Gentile nations – Egypt, Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Edom, Elam, Babylon

·         Messiah

Jeremiah uses many symbols given him by God in teaching the people. On one occasion he wore a rotted girdle, another time he put a yoke on his neck, like an ox, again he broke a bottle in the presence of the ruler, he bought a field and buried the deed. He was the ninth of the prophets. He prophesied to the Southern Kingdom of Judah, before the exile and during the trying days of the captivity. He saw five kings upon the throne of Judah: Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah. He was to Josiah what Isaiah had been to Hezekiah. There were three main events in Jeremiah’s life:

·         Battle of Megiddo, between Judah ad Pharaoh Necho of Egypt in which good king Josiah was killed

·         Battle of Carchemish, which happened during Jehoiakim’s reign. Egyptians were defeated by Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar and the first deportation of Jews followed.

·         Capture of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, destruction of city and temple, and exile of greater part of those who were left by Babylon.

A prophet is simply God’s messenger boy delivering not his own ideas, but conveying to the last detail God’s thoughts. Jeremiah’s commission was worldwide, including not only his own country, but also all nations and kingdom of Egypt, Ammon, Moab, Tyre and Sidon. His commission was to root out the idolatry and pride and to say only what the Lord commanded him to say. 

In Jeremiah 1:9, you see the touch of God on Jeremiah’s life. “Then the Lord reached out his hand”. This touch of God on his life gave him the confidence that God was with him and he could not get away from it. God’s word shows its power in two ways – in destruction and in construction. We see this in God’s words to Jeremiah. If people accept God’s word it will give life, it they reject it, it will bring condemnation (John 3:36).

May Almighty help you to understand the relationship between Jeremiah and God, so that you can have him as an example in your life, and live a holy and faithful life to glorify God.