Eastside Church of Christ April 12-15, 2015 Cloyce Sutton II

Tough Religion for Tough Times Studies in Jeremiah

Introduction Important Dates The Man Jeremiah (“Yahweh loosens [throws] or exalts”) was the son of Hilkiah, a • 648 BC – born priest. He was from Anathoth, three miles NE of Jerusalem, a priestly city of • 643 BC? – Jeremiah born Benjamin (Joshua 22.18). His priestly background may explain both his usage of Shiloh as an illustration (cf 7.14; 26.6), and his frequent conflicts with the • 640 BC – Josiah enthroned established priesthood (cf 2.26; 4.9; 5.31; 13.13; etc). 634 BC – Eliakim born • Jeremiah appears to be a slightly younger contemporary of King Josiah, in • 632 BC – Josiah seeks God whose thirteenth year (627 BC) he was called (1.2). He appears to have been, at times, an emotional and reluctant messenger (1.6; 15.10f; 20.7-18). He was • 632 BC – Jehoahaz born threatened by his own people (11.18-23); persecuted by political enemies • 628 BC – Josiah turns from (20.1-6; 32.1ff; 38.1-6); accused of sedition (38.4); ignored by people and kings idols alike (36.20-26; chapters 42-43). The Lord forbid him to marry (16.1ff), to • 627 BC – Jeremiah called mourn (16.5ff), or to celebrate (16.8ff). yet his passion for the Lord and for his own people would not permit him to be silent (15.16; 20.8f). • 622 BC – Book of Law found

So great was he, that although largely ignored and hated by his own people, • 614 BC – Asshur falls Nebuchadnezzar, the most powerful man on earth at that time, knew him and • 612 BC – Nineveh falls respected him (39.11-14). So great was he that our Lord Jesus was himself compared to Jeremiah (Matthew 16.13f). • 609 BC – Josiah dies

• 609 BC – Jehoahaz enthroned His Times The opening verses of his prophecy (1.1ff) show his ministry spanning some • 609 BC – Eliakim enthroned four decades (627-586 BC). He survived the murder of Gedaliah (c 582 BC; cf • 605 BC – Nebuchadnezzar 41.1ff) and apparently spent his final years in Egypt against his will (cf 43.8). enthroned His ministry saw the decline and fall of , the rise of Babylon, the • 598 BC – Jehoiachin enthroned resurgence and decline of Egypt, and the fall of Judah and Jerusalem. This was one of the most turbulent periods in biblical history and the ancient Near East. • 598/7 BC – Deportation #1

• 597 BC – Mattaniah enthroned His Message The book is filled with rich symbolism: almond blossoms, boiling pots, • 587 BC – Jerusalem falls pottery, fig baskets, ragged clothing, yokes, real estate, banquets, scrolls, and • 587 BC – Deportation #2 buried things. Themes include: deliverance from Egypt, covenant faithfulness, alliances with Egypt, false worship and righteousness, and God’s persistence. • 586 BC? – Gedaliah installed

The book is not strictly chronological, although the general flow is from earlier • 582 BC? – Gedaliah murdered to later. The main sections include his call to ministry (chapters 1-2); • 582 BC – Deportation #3 judgment on Judah and Jerusalem (chapters 2-20); warnings to Judah’s leaders (chapters 21-29); book of consolation (chapters 30-33); incidents after the fall • 580 BC? – Jeremiah taken to of Jerusalem (chapters 40-45); prophecies against the nation (chapters 46-51); Egypt historical appendix (chapter 52). • 536 BC – 1st Return from exile

Tough Religion for Tough Times

Sunday Morning Class (April 12) Tough Joy: Lamentations

1. OUTLINE OF LAMENTATIONS a. Chapter 1 — Desolation of the city b. Chapter 2 — Wrath of God c. Chapter 3 — Mercies of God d. Chapter 4 — Sins of Israel e. Chapter 5 — Prayer for restoration

2. THE CHARACTER OF GOD a. The righteousness of God — 1.18 b. The justice of God — 2.17 c. The Faithfulness of God — 3.22-24 d. The Vindication of God — 4.11-13 e. The Reign of God — 5.19

3. THE NATURE OF JOY a. Being accountable b. Accepting consequences c. Hoping in God d. Making necessary changes e. Having faith

Sunday Morning Sermon (April 12) Tough Words: The ‘Book’ of Jeremiah” (Jeremiah 36)

1. JEREMIAH’S BOOK a. The book is born (36.1-8) b. The book is read (36.9-19) c. The book is destroyed (36.20-26) d. The book is vindicated (36.27-31) e. The book is continued (36.32)

2. GOD’S BOOK a. God’s word b. God’s historical word c. God’s written word d. God’s authoritative word e. God’s redemptive word

2 Studies in Jeremiah

Sunday Night Sermon (April 12) “Tough Prayers. The Prayers of Jeremiah”

1. LIST OF JEREMIAH’S PRAYERS a. Total of 13 examples b. 1.6; 4.10, 19ff, 23-26; 5.3ff; 8.18-9.2; 11.18ff; 12.1-4; 14.7ff, 13, 19-22; 15.10f, 15-21; 16.19f; 17.12-18; 18.19-23; 20.7-18; 32.16-25.

2. CHARACTER OF JEREMIAH’S PRAYERS a. Despair

b. Perplexity

c. Vengeance

d. Vindication

e. Pain

f. Anger

3. THE LESSON FROM JEREMIAH’S PRAYERS a. Frequency in prayer

b. Intensity in prayer

c. Honesty in prayer

Monday Night Sermon (April 13) “Tough Leaders: King Josiah (2 Chronicles 34-35)

LEADERSHIP LESSONS 1. Leaders are made, not born

2. Leaders start young

3. Leaders are guided

4. Leaders are committed

5. Leaders have a sense of duty

6. Leaders finish what they start

3 Tough Religion for Tough Times

Tuesday Night Sermon (April 14) “Tough Families: Shaphan & Sons”

THE FAMILY TREE

THE FAMILY RULES 1. Take a stand

2. Take action

3. Take risks

4. Take cover

Wednesday Night Sermon (April 15) “Tough Hope. The Field at Anathoth” (jeremiah 32)

1. JEREMIAH’S PREDICAMENT (32.1-5)

2. JEREMIAH’S PURCHASE (32.6-15) Sealed papyrus document 5th – 4th century BC 3. JEREMIAH’S PRAYER (32.16-25)

4. JEHOVAH’S PROMISE (32.26-44)

Seal of Baruch the Scribe

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