Main Themes of the Book of Jeremiah

Table of Contents

Who wrote the Book of Jeremiah and who did they write it for?

The book of Jeremiah was written by the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah was the son of Hilkiah and was from Anathoth, which was near Jerusalem.

When did the events of the Book of Jeremiah happen?

Jeremiah’s ministry was from 626-586 BC, although he began writing the book of Jeremiah in 605 BC during the reign of Jehoiakim and finished writing it after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. He was a prophet of the Lord at the same time as Zephaniah, Ezekiel, and Habakkuk.

What was the setting of the Book of Jeremiah?

Jeremiah served in a time of constant power struggles over the throne of Judah. The Jewish people were subjected to King Nebuchadnezzar, and they turned to idolatry rather than the Lord. Jeremiah was rebuking the people and proclaiming God’s judgment on them for their idolatry and lack of faith.

What is the purpose of the Book of Jeremiah?

The Call of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1)
Adultery of Israel (Jeremiah 2-6)
- Israel is an unfaithful spouse (Jeremiah 2)
- Need for Israel’s repentance (Jeremiah 3-4)
- Unwillingness and consequences of unrepentance in Judah (Jeremiah 5-6)
False religion and idolatry in Judah (Jeremiah 7-10)
Jeremiah struggles with God and Judah (Jeremiah 11-20)
- Jeremiah is opposed and betrayed (Jeremiah 11-15)
- Jeremiah is renewed by God (Jeremiah 16)
- Jeremiah continues to suffer and questions his calling (Jeremiah 17-20)
Jeremiah Confronts the kings, people, and false prophets of Judah (Jeremiah 21-29)
Restoration for Israel and Judah (Jeremiah 30-33)
God Judges Judah (Jeremiah 34-45)
God Judges the Nations (Jeremiah 46-51)
The Fall of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 52)

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How does the Book of Jeremiah apply to my life?

Reveals the challenges and inner turmoil of a prophet of the Lord.
Provides an example of a willingness to serve the Lord no matter the hardships.
Encourages believers to remain faithful to the Word of God no matter the suffering they face for their faithfulness.
Teaches the consequences of faithlessness and disobedience to God.
Encourages believers that we can still remain faithful even in the midst of a disobedient culture.
Reminds Christians of the importance of prayer, confession, repentance, and exhorting others to the Truth and Word of God.
Teaches believers the importance of knowing the Word of God intimately and living it out in all circumstances.
Encourages Christians to cling to the promises of God in faith.
Teaches believers that faithfulness to God brings blessing, and disobedience brings consequences.
Reminds believers that we have a responsibility to warn fellow believers of the importance of obedience to God.

Summary

Jeremiah served as a prophet after the death of King Josiah of Judah. Josiah was killed by the Egyptian army leaving Judah subject to the Pharoh Necho. The people of Judah appointed Jehoahaz to be their new king, but Pharoh Necho put his own choice, Jehoiakim, on the throne instead. The people of Judah then turned to idolatry rather than God, sparking Jeremiah’s proclamation of God’s judgment over them.

In 605 BC Pharoh Necho was defeated by Nebuchadnezzar who allowed Jehoahaz to remain on the throne of Judah until Jehoahaz rebelled and was replaced by Jehoiachin, who was exiled shortly afterward. Zedekiah, Jehoiakim’s brother, was then placed on the throne of Judah. He, too, rebelled against Babylon but Zedekiah came to Jeremiah for counsel from the Lord multiple times during this time. Jeremiah encouraged Zedekiah to surrender, but he would not do so, and later Jerusalem was overrun and burned, and thousands of people were captured and sent to Babylon.

Jeremiah was then sent to serve Gedaliah, who was killed shortly after he was appointed Governor of Judah, and Jeremiah then was forced to go to Egypt with Gedaliah’s supporters. There he continued to proclaim God’s judgment to the Jews for their unfaithfulness, idolatry, and disobedience.

Jeremiah is seen by some as the model of faithfulness, while others see him as a failure. He served as God’s prophet for more than 40 years, but the people constantly refused to listen to his warnings. He was put in prison, thrown down a well, taken out of his country against his will, not permitted to marry, and rejected by family, friends, neighbors, kings, and even false prophets. Even still, Jeremiah persisted in warning the people of the impending consequences of their continued sin against the Lord. Through all of the humiliation and hardship, Jeremiah remained faithful and obedient to God.