Introduction to Jeremiah

 Author

-Jeremiah, son of a priest, from Anathoth (1:1), a Levitical city in the territory of Benjamin (Josh. 21:18; 1 Chr. 6:60).

-Assisted by Baruch (36:4, 32; 45:1-2).

Historical Background (spans 626-586+)

 -Josiah’s reforms and death (2 Kings 22:1-23:30).

-Jehoahaz (given name of Shallum, cf. Jer. 22:11) deposed by Pharoah Neco (2 Kings 23:31-35).

-Jehoiakim (given name of Eliakim) installed by Neco, first stage of Babylonian captivity in 605 (2 Kings 24:1a), rebelled by died before Nebuchadnezzar arrived (2 Kings 24:1b-7).

-Jehoiachin (also called Coniah in Jer. 22:24-30) taken prisoner in second stage of Babylonian captivity in 597 BC, along with 10,000 others, replaced with his uncle, Zedekiah/Mattaniah (2 Kings 24:8-17).

-Zedekiah rebelled, leading to the third stage of Babylonian captivity in 586 BC, including destruction of temple and the deportation of most of the Jews (2 Kings 24:18-21).

-Gedaliah appointed governor, soon assassinated (2 Kings 25:22-26).

Unique Features of Jeremiah

·      Not in chronological order.
-Josiah  (639-608 BC) - 1; 2-6; 7-10; 11:1-8; 11:9·13:l7; 14-20.

-Jehoiakim  (608-598 BC) - 22:1-19; 26; 36:1-8; 25; 46-51; 45; 36:9-22; 35. 

-Jehoiachin (598-597 BC) - 22:20-30; 13:18-27.

-Zedekiah  (597-586 BC) - 23-24; 29-31; 49:34-39; 27-28; 51:59-64; 34:1-10; 21; 34:11-22; 37; 32-33; 38; 39:15-18; 39:1-14

-Gedaliah and Beyond  (586 BC) - 40:1-43:6; 43:7-44:30; 52
From J. Barton Payne, “The Arrangement of Jeremiah’s Prophecies”            

·      Jeremiah’s object lessons.

     -Hidden loincloth (13:1-11)

     -Celibacy (16:1-9)

     -Pot and potter (18:1-12; 19:1-13)

     -Baskets of figs (24:1-10)

     -Ox yoke (27:1-11)

     -Purchase of field (32:1-15)

·      Jeremiah’s suffering

      -Public beating (20:1-6)

      -False prophets (6:13-14; 28:1-17; 29:8-9)

      -Plots (36:21-23, 26)

      -Held in cistern (38:1-13)

      -Kidnapped (43:4-7)

·       Jeremiah’s confessions (10:23-25; 11:18-12:4; 15:10-18; 17:14-18; 18:18-23; 20:7-18).

Purpose

-To announce God’s judgments on Judah and the nations, as well as His promises of restoration (1:10), for Israel and Judah (24:6; cf. 31:28, 40; 42:10), and other nations (12:14-17; 46:26; 48:47; 49:6, 39).  

-Explains to Israel why the judgment is coming (5:19; 9:12-16; 16:10-13; and 22:8-9; 32:3, 32:21-23, 29b-35), in keeping with the covenant (Deut. 29:24-28).

Overview of Structure

-Prophecies of Judgment Against Jerusalem (1-25)

-Stories of Hope for the Future (26-36)

-Stories About the Fall of Jerusalem (37-45)

-Prophecies of Judgment Against the Nation (46-51)

-Conclusion (52)

Survey

·      Prophecies of Judgment Against Jerusalem (1-25)

            God “divorces” Judah (1-10)

            Jeremiah’s dialogue with God (11-20)

            Jeremiah rebukes the leaders of the people (21-25)

·      Stories of Hope for the Future (26-36)

            Jeremiah prepares the people for exile (26-29)

            The Book of Comfort (30-33)

            Judah’s leaders fail to listen (34-36)

·      Stories About the Fall of Jerusalem (37-45)

            Jeremiah warns of impending invasion (37-38)

The destruction of Jerusalem (39)

            Turmoil (40-45)

·      Prophecies of Judgment Against the Nations (45-51)

            Egypt (46)

            Philistia (47)

            Moab (48)

            Ammon (49:1-6)

            Edom (49:7-22)

            Damascus (49:23-27)

            Kedar and Hazor (49:28-33)

            Elam (49:34-39)

            Babylon (50:1-51:64)

·       Conclusion (52)

            Recap of Jerusalem’s destruction (52:1-30)

            Favor bestowed on Jehoiachin (52:31-34)