Jeremiah Part 1 INTRODUCTION The book of Jeremiah is about the word of the LORD coming against his chosen people Judah, as well as the nations of the world. The word of the LORD spoken through the prophet Jeremiah is a word that identifies, condemns, and punishes sins of all kinds. At the same time, the word of Jeremiah offers a lasting hope for Judah as it points towards a future time of reconciliation, rescue and a chosen king who will divinely represent God with justice and righteousness. In doing so, the book points towards a new covenant between God and his people that overcomes the greatest threat to humanity – the problem of sin. Jeremiah prophesied to the Southern Kingdom, Judah, throughout the reigns of kings Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Ze- dekiah – The last five kings of Judah. Most notably, Jeremiah proph- esied the first deportation of the Southern Kingdom in 597 BC, the destruction of the capital Jerusalem, as well as further deportations in 587-586 BC. The book is the longest of the four “Major Prophets” (Isaiah, Jere- miah, Ezekiel, and Daniel) and is a collection of largely prophetic oracles, combined with prose sermon and biographical information. “I will bring on that land all the things I have spoken against it, all that are written in this book and prophesied by Jeremiah against all the nations.” JEREMIAH 25:13 (NIV) 3 JOSIAH’S FAMILY TREE 4 5 DAY 1 JEREMIAH 1:1-19 What do we learn about Jeremiah from verses 1 – 3? What was Jeremiah’s concern? Why should Jeremiah take comfort? What is God’s plan for Jeremiah and what role has he given him? How would you feel if you were Jeremiah hearing this news? TODAY’S PRAYER SUGGESTION Thank God for his sovereignty over all things. Thank him that he has used Jeremiah, in his human weakness, to proclaim his powerful word that we read today. Pray for Hunter Bible Church, that we may be com- pletely united in Christ as a body of believers. 6 DAY 2 JEREMIAH 2:1-19 In verses 1 – 4 God recalls what the early nation of “Israel” (Here referring to the Southern Kingdom Judah) was like at a time when he had rescued them from the land of slavery in Egypt. How was Israel’s relationship with the LORD described in these verses? What has the LORD done for Israel in the past? What sin did Israel commit despite the LORD’s care for her? What are the consequences for their sin? How would you describe the overall tone of this passage? How does it make you feel reading this? TODAY’S PRAYER SUGGESTION Thank God for his continuous kindness and generosity. Thank him that he is always faithful and trustworthy. Pray for city of Newcastle and Lake Mac, that we may see 30,000 saved just as a start. 7 DAY 3 JEREMIAH 2:20-37 In this passage we continue to see Israel’s (Judah) unfaithfulness towards God as he brings his charges against her. What is the result of Israel’s sin in verse 22? To what extent is Israel’s shame exposed in verse 26? What is the sentenced passed for Israel’s unfaithfulness? What is the effect of the imagery used in this passage? What does it highlight about Israel? TODAY’S PRAYER SUGGESTION Thank God that he is a righteous and just God. Thank him that he defends the poor and needy and hates corruption. Pray for the Senior Staff team at HBC, that they may faithfully lead our Church and model Christ in everything they do. 8 DAY 4 JEREMIAH 3:1-14 Throughout this passage the relationship between the LORD and his people is compared to a marriage — with God being the husband, Judah the bride, and the covenant binding them together under oath. When the LORD uses the comparison of Judah being like a prostitute with many lovers (v. 1), what is he actually referring to? (c.f. Jer 2:28) It is clear from this passage that Judah has been unfaithful in her covenant with God, and not the other way around (v. 1, 3). The idea of divorce is con- tinued from verse 6 where we see that due to her continued sin and rebel- lion, the former northern kingdom, Israel, was issued with a certificate of divorce and sent away (v. 8). By Jeremiah’s time the northern kingdom had been cut off and was no longer regarded as the people of God. This should have been a warning to the southern kingdom Judah to repent! Instead of heeding this warning, what did Judah do instead? (v8-10) Whilst the situation described seems unsurmountable and Judah should have no reason to expect her husband would take her back due to her per- sistent unfaithfulness, tomorrow we will see how God remains faithful to the covenant promises he made with his people long ago! There is still hope for Judah. TODAY’S PRAYER SUGGESTION Thank God that he is, and always has been faithful in his promises to us. Thank him that even when Judah was unfaithful, he kept his prom- ises so that one day he could usher in a new and greater covenant. Pray for the MTS Apprentices at HBC, that they would grow in their charac- ter to be more like their Lord, Jesus. 9 DAY 5 JEREMIAH 3:15-4:4 Today we see Jeremiah continue using the metaphor of marriage albeit with a different focus. What is different about the tone from today’s passage? In the future days of blessing, why do you think people will no longer say “The ark of the covenant of the LORD”? (Consider which covenant the ark represents – Old or New?) Understanding that at the time Jeremiah was prophesying the northern kingdom had already been destroyed by the Assyrians, what is the signifi- cance of the joining of the people of Judah and Israel? (v. 17 - 18) Verse 19 reveals so much about God’s heart and his desire for his people. How does God want to treat his people and what does he want for them? Turning back to the immediate context, we are again reminded that Judah (addressed as Israel in this section) continues to reject him and follow other gods. The LORD is pleading with his people to circumcise their hearts (an inward renewal rather than simply an outward display), lest they face his wrath (4:4). Living this side of the cross, how wonderful is the knowledge that in Christ we are completely forgiven for our sins and fully shielded from the wrath we rightfully deserve (See Paul’s encouragement to the Thessalonians in 1 Thess 1:8-10) TODAY’S PRAYER SUGGESTION Thank God that we can call him our Father! Thank him that in Christ we are forgiven and are called to be a part of his family! Thank God for the Membership Team at HBC, that they help us to continue living for Jesus as a part of his community. 10 DAY 6 JEREMIAH 4:5-14 In times of war, watchmen would be stationed on city walls to keep watch for the approach of enemies and warn people of oncoming danger. What does Jeremiah need to warn the people of Judah of? (v. 5 - 7) How is the “destroyer of nations” described throughout this passage? In the day of disaster, what will happen to Judah? When the day arrives, how will they respond? (v. 8 - 9) Confronted with the vision of complete destruction, Jeremiah pleads with Judah to repent (v. 14). He calls for them to “wash the evil from your heart”. What sin in your life do you need to repent of, remembering that in Christ Jesus you are washed clean and can confidently draw near to God (Hebrews 10:22)? TODAY’S PRAYER SUGGESTION Thank God that you have been washed clean in Christ. Thank him that he has completely forgiven you and changed your heart. Thank God for the Maturity Team at HBC, that they may continue to help grow us to be more like Christ. 11 DAY 7 JEREMIAH 4:16-31 In today’s passage we continue digging into the vision of the coming de- struction of Judah from the north. Yesterday we saw the watchmen warning that the enemy was fast approaching (v. 13). Today, we first see this message being proclaimed to the northmost regions of Israel, Dan (v. 15). Then, we see the enemy approaching from much further south, in the hill country of Ephraim (v. 15), until finally the news hit the capital itself, Jerusalem (v. 16). How does Jeremiah respond to this calamity? (v. 19 - 22) Verse 23 shares a striking similarity with Genesis 1:2, harking back to a time before creation – a time of primordial chaos. Here, judgement may be seen as a form of uncreation. What else contributes to the theme of uncreation in verses 23 - 26? Whilst the destruction seems final in this chapter, verse 27 reminds us that it will not completely destroy, giving a glimpse of hope (This idea will be discussed later in the book). Living this side of the cross, we know that the hope they longed for was only possible through Jesus Christ, who overcame the greatest enemy known to mankind - sin and death. TODAY’S PRAYER SUGGESTION Thank God that one the cross Jesus defeated sin and death. Thank him that one day we can look forward to the new creation. Thank God for the Magnification Team at HBC, that they may continue to encourage us to glorify Christ with all of our lives.