Bible Reading Plan

Category: Jeremiah

  • Jeremiah 32

    Jeremiah 32

    Read Jeremiah 32

    Jeremiah Buys a Field

    32 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar. 2 The army of the king of Babylon was then besiegingJerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was confined in the courtyard of the guard in the royal palace of Judah.

    3 Now Zedekiah king of Judah had imprisoned him there, saying, “Why do you prophesy as you do? You say, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am about to give this city into the hands of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it.4 Zedekiah king of Judah will not escape the Babylonians but will certainly be given into the hands of the king of Babylon, and will speak with him face to face and see him with his own eyes. 5 He will take Zedekiah to Babylon, where he will remain until I deal with him, declares the Lord. If you fight against the Babylonians, you will not succeed.’”

    6 Jeremiah said, “The word of the Lord came to me: 7 Hanamel son of Shallum your uncle is going to come to you and say, ‘Buy my field at Anathoth, because as nearest relative it is your right and duty to buy it.’

    8 “Then, just as the Lord had said, my cousin Hanamel came to me in the courtyard of the guard and said, ‘Buy my field at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. Since it is your right to redeem it and possess it, buy it for yourself.’

    “I knew that this was the word of the Lord; 9 so I bought the field at Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel and weighed out for him seventeen shekels of silver. 10 I signed and sealed the deed, had it witnessed, and weighed out the silver on the scales. 11 I took the deed of purchase—the sealed copy containing the terms and conditions, as well as the unsealed copy— 12 and I gave this deed to Baruch son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the presence of my cousin Hanamel and of the witnesses who had signed the deed and of all the Jews sitting in the courtyard of the guard.

    13 “In their presence I gave Baruch these instructions: 14 ‘This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Take these documents, both the sealed and unsealed copies of the deed of purchase, and put them in a clay jar so they will last a long time. 15 For this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Houses, fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land.’

    16 “After I had given the deed of purchase to Baruch son of Neriah, I prayed to the Lord:

    17 “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. 18 You show love to thousands but bring the punishment for the parents’ sins into the laps of their children after them. Great and mighty God, whose name is the Lord Almighty, 19 great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to the ways of all mankind; you reward each person according to their conduct and as their deeds deserve. 20 You performed signs and wonders in Egypt and have continued them to this day, in Israel and among all mankind, and have gained the renown that is still yours. 21 You brought your people Israel out of Egypt with signs and wonders, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with great terror.22 You gave them this land you had sworn to give their ancestors, a land flowing with milk and honey. 23 They came in and took possession of it, but they did not obey you or follow your law; they did not do what you commanded them to do. So you brought all this disaster on them.

    24 “See how the siege ramps are built up to take the city. Because of the sword, famine and plague, the city will be given into the hands of the Babylonians who are attacking it. What you said has happened, as you now see. 25 And though the city will be given into the hands of the Babylonians, you, Sovereign Lord, say to me, ‘Buy the field with silver and have the transaction witnessed.’”

    26 Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: 27 “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? 28 Therefore this is what the Lord says: I am about to give this city into the hands of the Babylonians and to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who will capture it. 29 The Babylonians who are attacking this city will come in and set it on fire; they will burn it down, along with the houses where the people aroused my anger by burning incense on the roofs to Baal and by pouring out drink offerings to other gods.

    30 “The people of Israel and Judah have done nothing but evil in my sight from their youth; indeed, the people of Israel have done nothing but arouse my anger with what their hands have made, declares the Lord. 31 From the day it was built until now, this city has so aroused my anger and wrath that I must remove it from my sight. 32 The people of Israel and Judah have provoked me by all the evil they have done—they, their kings and officials,their priests and prophets, the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem. 33 They turned their backs to me and not their faces; though I taught them again and again, they would not listen or respond to discipline.34 They set up their vile images in the house that bears my Name and defiledit. 35 They built high places for Baal in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molek, though I never commanded—nor did it enter my mind—that they should do such a detestable thing and so make Judah sin.

    36 “You are saying about this city, ‘By the sword, famine and plague it will be given into the hands of the king of Babylon’; but this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 37 I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in my furious anger and great wrath; I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety. 38 They will be my people, and I will be their God. 39 I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them. 40 I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. 41 I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.

    42 “This is what the Lord says: As I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will give them all the prosperity I have promised them.43 Once more fields will be bought in this land of which you say, ‘It is a desolate waste, without people or animals, for it has been given into the hands of the Babylonians.’ 44 Fields will be bought for silver, and deeds will be signed, sealed and witnessed in the territory of Benjamin, in the villages around Jerusalem, in the towns of Judah and in the towns of the hill country, of the western foothills and of the Negev, because I will restore their fortunes, declares the Lord.”

    Go Deeper

    This chapter takes place during the reign of Zedekiah (2 Kings 25) amid Babylon taking Judah captive and Jerusalem falling to the hands of Nebuchadnezzar.

    Jeremiah, sitting in prison for speaking the truth that God had given him, received word that his cousin was coming to sell him the field and Jeremiah bought that field and had the deed signed, sealed, and delivered to many witnesses where it was put into a vessel for safe keeping. This was God telling Jeremiah and the exiles that even though Judah was falling to Babylon, there was still hope. The Lord says, “Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land” (v. 15). 

    In this chapter, we see Jeremiah prays for understanding. Derek Kidner (a British Old Testament scholar) in his commentary says this of Jeremiah’s prayer in this chapter: 

    “It is a fine example of the way to pray in a desperate situation: concentrating first on the creative power (v. 17) and perfect fidelity and justice (v. 18-19) of God; remembering next his great redemptive acts (v. 20-23a; to which the Christian can now add the greatest of them all)—and then with this background, laying before God the guilt of the past (v. 23b), the hard facts of the present (v. 24) and the riddle of the future (v. 25).” 

    He recounts the story of redemptive history up until that point. He reminds himself and us today that God delivered the people from slavery in Egypt and gave them the land flowing with milk and honey. The people didn’t worship the Lord and willfully neglected His laws and disobeyed His voice. He lays before God the situation they are now facing and then brings in the question of what will happen next. 

    How often do we forget that God has freed us from slavery to sin–that He rescued us from the depravity of our world and decisions and now we can walk in the newness of life with Him? Oftentimes we forget these truths and walk in disobedience to God. We forget that He has an inheritance for us in the kingdom, so we try to build our own here. 

    Let’s remind ourselves that the God who delivered Israel from slavery to Egypt rescued us from slavery to sin. That Christ came into the world to save sinners and destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). That whatever confusion we are facing today we can bring before the Father, whether we are full of faith or full of doubt and He will give us rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28). 

    Questions

    1. Remind yourself the truths of God that He rescued you by the blood of Christ from sin (Romans 6:23). 

    2. In what ways are you walking in disobedience to God like the people of Judah? Ask your Life Group to point out anything they may see in you that doesn’t live up to the glory of God.

    3. What confusion or worry is in your life today? What do you need to lay before the Father in prayer?

    Keep Digging

    What does God mean that He is “the God of all flesh” in Jeremiah 32:27? Check out this article from GotQuestions.org!

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  • Jeremiah 31

    Jeremiah 31

    Read Jeremiah 31

    31 “At that time,” declares the Lord, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.”

    2 This is what the Lord says:

    “The people who survive the sword
        will find favor in the wilderness;
        I will come to give rest to Israel.”

    3 The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:

    “I have loved you with an everlasting love;
        I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
    4 I will build you up again,
        and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt.
    Again you will take up your timbrels
        and go out to dance with the joyful.
    5 Again you will plant vineyards
        on the hills of Samaria;
    the farmers will plant them
        and enjoy their fruit.
    6 There will be a day when watchmen cry out
        on the hills of Ephraim,
    ‘Come, let us go up to Zion,
        to the Lord our God.’”

    7 This is what the Lord says:

    “Sing with joy for Jacob;
        shout for the foremost of the nations.
    Make your praises heard, and say,
        ‘Lord, save your people,
        the remnant of Israel.’
    8 See, I will bring them from the land of the north
        and gather them from the ends of the earth.
    Among them will be the blind and the lame,
        expectant mothers and women in labor;
        a great throng will return.
    9 They will come with weeping;
        they will pray as I bring them back.
    I will lead them beside streams of water
        on a level path where they will not stumble,
    because I am Israel’s father,
        and Ephraim is my firstborn son.

    10 “Hear the word of the Lord, you nations;
        proclaim it in distant coastlands:
    ‘He who scattered Israel will gather them
        and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.’
    11 For the Lord will deliver Jacob
        and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they.
    12 They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion;
        they will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord—
    the grain, the new wine and the olive oil,
        the young of the flocks and herds.
    They will be like a well-watered garden,
        and they will sorrow no more.
    13 Then young women will dance and be glad,
        young men and old as well.
    I will turn their mourning into gladness;
        I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
    14 I will satisfy the priests with abundance,
        and my people will be filled with my bounty,”
    declares the Lord.

    15 This is what the Lord says:

    “A voice is heard in Ramah,
        mourning and great weeping,
    Rachel weeping for her children
        and refusing to be comforted,
        because they are no more.”

    16 This is what the Lord says:

    “Restrain your voice from weeping
        and your eyes from tears,
    for your work will be rewarded,”
    declares the Lord.
        “They will return from the land of the enemy.
    17 So there is hope for your descendants,”
    declares the Lord.
        “Your children will return to their own land.

    18 “I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning:
        ‘You disciplined me like an unruly calf,
        and I have been disciplined.
    Restore me, and I will return,
        because you are the Lord my God.
    19 After I strayed,
        I repented;
    after I came to understand,
        I beat my breast.
    I was ashamed and humiliated
        because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’
    20 Is not Ephraim my dear son,
        the child in whom I delight?
    Though I often speak against him,
        I still remember him.
    Therefore my heart yearns for him;
        I have great compassion for him,”
    declares the Lord.

    21 “Set up road signs;
        put up guideposts.
    Take note of the highway,
        the road that you take.
    Return, Virgin Israel,
        return to your towns.
    22 How long will you wander,
        unfaithful Daughter Israel?
    The Lord will create a new thing on earth—
        the woman will return to the man.”

    23 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “When I bring them back from captivity, the people in the land of Judah and in its towns will once again use these words: ‘The Lord bless you, you prosperous city,you sacred mountain.’ 24 People will live together in Judah and all its towns—farmers and those who move about with their flocks. 25 I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”

    26 At this I awoke and looked around. My sleep had been pleasant to me.

    27 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will plant the kingdoms of Israel and Judah with the offspring of people and of animals. 28 Just as I watched over them to uproot and tear down, and to overthrow, destroy and bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant,” declares the Lord. 29 “In those days people will no longer say,

    ‘The parents have eaten sour grapes,
        and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’

    30 Instead, everyone will die for their own sin; whoever eats sour grapes—their own teeth will be set on edge.

    31 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
        “when I will make a new covenant
    with the people of Israel
        and with the people of Judah.
    32 It will not be like the covenant
        I made with their ancestors
    when I took them by the hand
        to lead them out of Egypt,
    because they broke my covenant,
        though I was a husband to them,”
    declares the Lord.
    33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel
        after that time,” declares the Lord.
    “I will put my law in their minds
        and write it on their hearts.
    I will be their God,
        and they will be my people.
    34 No longer will they teach their neighbor,
        or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
    because they will all know me,
        from the least of them to the greatest,”
    declares the Lord.
    “For I will forgive their wickedness
        and will remember their sins no more.”

    35 This is what the Lord says,

    he who appoints the sun
        to shine by day,
    who decrees the moon and stars
        to shine by night,
    who stirs up the sea
        so that its waves roar—
        the Lord Almighty is his name:
    36 “Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,”
        declares the Lord,
    “will Israel ever cease
        being a nation before me.”

    37 This is what the Lord says:

    “Only if the heavens above can be measured
        and the foundations of the earth below be searched out
    will I reject all the descendants of Israel
        because of all they have done,”
    declares the Lord.

    38 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when this city will be rebuiltfor me from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate. 39 The measuring linewill stretch from there straight to the hill of Gareb and then turn to Goah.40 The whole valley where dead bodies and ashes are thrown, and all the terraces out to the Kidron Valley on the east as far as the corner of the Horse Gate, will be holy to the Lord. The city will never again be uprooted or demolished.”

    Go Deeper

    In the midst of a really dark time in Israel’s history, there is hope for the future! God is going to make all things new. Judgment was coming to God’s people, but so was something better. This passage might be one of the most significant, not only in the book of Jeremiah, but in the entire Old Testament. There are some major prophecies about how Israel will return, regather, be reunified, and restored. There is also the promise of the New Covenant that God will make with his people in both Judah and Israel. 

    God’s heart for His people, in light of their rebellion and disbelief, is made so clear in this passage. The Lord says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you” (v. 3). Despite Israel’s transgressions, and the broken old covenant, He will “forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (v. 34). Additionally, the Lord promises to bring His people back home. God is going to regather the flock that He scattered. He promises to gather Israel both physically and spiritually from the remote parts of the world (v. 8). Their weeping will turn into shouts of joy because of the Lord’s goodness (v. 12). Mourning will be turned to dancing!

    The passage ends with God telling His people of the new (and better) covenant that was to come. The Old Covenant was made through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob’s descendants as they were made into a great nation. God promised Abraham in Genesis 12: land (the Promised Land), seed (descendants), and blessing (all nations would be blessed through this family.) God gave His people the Law through Moses as instructions on how to live, and this was conditional. If they believed and obeyed it, they would prosper. If they disobeyed it, they would perish. God established the sacrificial system as a means in which a sinful people could walk with a holy God through sacrifices, feasts, and the priests. However, Israel was repeatedly unfaithful and turned away from God and His provision for them. As a result, their sins had consequences. 

    This promise of the new covenant is repeated in the book of Hebrews. The author of Hebrews emphasizes the superiority of Jesus. He is better than the angels. He is better than Abraham. He is better than Moses. He is better than the Law, and He is ultimately better than the Old Covenant. This new covenant is not just for Israel, but for all nations.  

    The New Covenant is superior! Our sins will be forgiven, Israel will be restored, and the Law will be written on people’s hearts through the Holy Spirit. This covenant is unconditional, meaning it can not be changed or broken, and it is for all believers. Jesus sealed this covenant through His death, abolishing the old and initiating the new. We can thank God that if we have trusted in Christ, we live under a better covenant, where our sins can be forgiven once and for all.

    Questions

    1. The chapter begins with God’s heart for His people and how deeply He loves us! When are you tempted to question God’s love for you? How can you remind yourself of God’s deep love for you today?
    2. What is the significance of the New Covenant? How does it compare to the Old Covenant? What does that mean for us today? 
    3. God is in the business of redeeming and restoring brokenness and making all things new. What has God redeemed or restored in your life? Praise Him for that today! 

    Keep Digging

    Click here to read more about the differences between the old and new covenants! 

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  • Jeremiah 30

    Jeremiah 30

    Read Jeremiah 30

    Restoration of Israel

    30 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you. 3 The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will bringmy people Israel and Judah back from captivity[a] and restore them to the land I gave their ancestors to possess,’ says the Lord.”

    4 These are the words the Lord spoke concerning Israel and Judah: 5 “This is what the Lord says:

    “‘Cries of fear are heard—
        terror, not peace.
    6 Ask and see:
        Can a man bear children?
    Then why do I see every strong man
        with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor,
        every face turned deathly pale?
    7 How awful that day will be!
        No other will be like it.
    It will be a time of trouble for Jacob,
        but he will be saved out of it.

    8 “‘In that day,’ declares the Lord Almighty,
        ‘I will break the yoke off their necks
    and will tear off their bonds;
        no longer will foreigners enslave them.
    9 Instead, they will serve the Lord their God
        and David their king,
        whom I will raise up for them.

    10 “‘So do not be afraid, Jacob my servant;
        do not be dismayed, Israel,’
    declares the Lord.
    ‘I will surely save you out of a distant place,
        your descendants from the land of their exile.
    Jacob will again have peace and security,
        and no one will make him afraid.
    11 I am with you and will save you,’
        declares the Lord.
    ‘Though I completely destroy all the nations
        among which I scatter you,
        I will not completely destroy you.
    I will discipline you but only in due measure;
        I will not let you go entirely unpunished.’

    12 “This is what the Lord says:

    “‘Your wound is incurable,
        your injury beyond healing.
    13 There is no one to plead your cause,
        no remedy for your sore,
        no healing for you.
    14 All your allies have forgotten you;
        they care nothing for you.
    I have struck you as an enemy would
        and punished you as would the cruel,
    because your guilt is so great
        and your sins so many.
    15 Why do you cry out over your wound,
        your pain that has no cure?
    Because of your great guilt and many sins
        I have done these things to you.

    16 “‘But all who devour you will be devoured;
        all your enemies will go into exile.
    Those who plunder you will be plundered;
        all who make spoil of you I will despoil.
    17 But I will restore you to health
        and heal your wounds,’
    declares the Lord,
    ‘because you are called an outcast,
        Zion for whom no one cares.’

    18 “This is what the Lord says:

    “‘I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents
        and have compassion on his dwellings;
    the city will be rebuilt on her ruins,
        and the palace will stand in its proper place.
    19 From them will come songs of thanksgiving
        and the sound of rejoicing.
    I will add to their numbers,
        and they will not be decreased;
    I will bring them honor,
        and they will not be disdained.
    20 Their children will be as in days of old,
        and their community will be established before me;
        I will punish all who oppress them.
    21 Their leader will be one of their own;
        their ruler will arise from among them.
    I will bring him near and he will come close to me—
        for who is he who will devote himself
        to be close to me?’
    declares the Lord.
    22 “‘So you will be my people,
        and I will be your God.’”

    23 See, the storm of the Lord
        will burst out in wrath,
    a driving wind swirling down
        on the heads of the wicked.
    24 The fierce anger of the Lord will not turn back
        until he fully accomplishes
        the purposes of his heart.
    In days to come
        you will understand this.

    Go Deeper

    Jeremiah 30 marks the beginning of the Book of Consolation (spanning from chapters 30 to 33), which focus on the overwhelming hope on the horizon for the Israelites. There is a distinct shift from the previous chapters, which are marked by warnings of repentance, to promises of peace and reconciliation between the people and Yahweh. Jeremiah, the messenger for the Lord, is commanded to physically record the words of God before he begins to speak, ensuring that they will not be fed in one ear and lost through the other, but lasting on paper and in heart.

    In the verses to follow (5-24 to be specific), the word concerning Israel and Judah can be broken up into three promises clearly put forth in front of the Israelites. The first being a promise of rescue, with the Lord acknowledging the cries of fear and terror, and meeting those with assurances of future salvation. “‘When the time for them to be rescued comes,’ says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, ‘I will rescue you from foreign subjugation. I will deliver you from captivity,’” He says in verse 8. He not only hears the intense groaning of the Israelites, but takes action to remind them of his promise for delivery. 

    Verses 10-15 are marked by a promise of reprimand, with the Lord stepping into His role of Teacher by reminding them of His rightful disciplining that is to come. Because of the Israelites’ fear of the Lord–not a fear that leads them to cower and shake, but one that gives them a holistic picture of His power, majesty and holiness–they can find rest in the reality that justice will be served to not only their enemies, but to themselves as well. In this, they will find a deeper-rooted relationship with Him, as one does when God, in His slow-moving anger, lovingly but justly reminds us that His way is immeasurably greater.

    The final verses are a promise of restoration, where the Savior will “restore [them] to health and heal [their] wounds.” He leaves no work unfinished, but instead, sees all things through to completion. He promises songs of thanksgiving and multiplication of His people, rejoicing in their reconciliation with Him. The choirs of Heaven are left singing when we move forth into the Lord’s promise of restoration over our lives and wholeheartedly believe in the transformation power He has over each of us!

    Questions

    1. What is a cry of fear that you are handing to the Lord today, knowing that He promises rescue for His people?
    2. In what way does God’s role as our Teacher give you comfort when He justly calls us higher in our actions?
    3. Read Philippians 1:6. How does knowing that God, who has begun a good work in you, will see it through to the end, change the way you live your life today?

    A Quote

    “Where is there an instance of God’s beginning any work and leaving it incomplete? Show me for once a word abandoned and thrown aside half-formed; show me a universe cast off from the Great Potter’s wheel, with the design in outline, the clay half-hardened, and the form unshapely from incompleteness.” -Charles Spurgeon

    There is none! Find security and comfort in that today!

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  • Jeremiah 29

    Jeremiah 29

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    A Letter to the Exiles

    29 This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. 2 (This was after King Jehoiachin and the queen mother, the court officials and the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the skilled workers and the artisans had gone into exile from Jerusalem.) 3 He entrusted the letter to Elasah son of Shaphan and to Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. It said:

    4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” 8 Yes, this is what the LordAlmighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. 9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sentthem,” declares the Lord.

    10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you backto this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

    15 You may say, “The Lord has raised up prophets for us in Babylon,”16 but this is what the Lord says about the king who sits on David’s throne and all the people who remain in this city, your fellow citizens who did not go with you into exile— 17 yes, this is what the Lord Almighty says: “I will send the sword, famine and plague against them and I will make them like figs that are so bad they cannot be eaten. 18 I will pursue them with the sword, famine and plague and will make them abhorrent to all the kingdoms of the earth, a curse and an object of horror, of scorn and reproach, among all the nations where I drive them. 19 For they have not listened to my words,” declares the Lord, “words that I sent to them again and again by my servants the prophets. And you exiles have not listened either,” declares the Lord.

    20 Therefore, hear the word of the Lord, all you exiles whom I have sentaway from Jerusalem to Babylon. 21 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says about Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying lies to you in my name: “I will deliver them into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will put them to death before your very eyes. 22 Because of them, all the exiles from Judah who are in Babylon will use this curse: ‘May the Lord treat you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon burned in the fire.’ 23 For they have done outrageous things in Israel; they have committed adulterywith their neighbors’ wives, and in my name they have uttered lies—which I did not authorize. I know it and am a witness to it,” declares the Lord.

    Message to Shemaiah

    24 Tell Shemaiah the Nehelamite, 25 “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: You sent letters in your own name to all the people in Jerusalem, to the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah, and to all the other priests. You said to Zephaniah, 26 ‘The Lord has appointed you priest in place of Jehoiada to be in charge of the house of the Lord; you should put any maniac who acts like a prophet into the stocks and neck-irons. 27 So why have you not reprimanded Jeremiah from Anathoth, who poses as a prophet among you? 28 He has sent this message to us in Babylon: It will be a long time. Therefore build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.’”

    29 Zephaniah the priest, however, read the letter to Jeremiah the prophet.30 Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: 31 “Send this message to all the exiles: ‘This is what the Lord says about Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, even though I did not send him, and has persuaded you to trust in lies, 32 this is what the Lord says: I will surely punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his descendants. He will have no one left among this people, nor will he see the good things I will do for my people, declares the Lord, because he has preached rebellion against me.’”

    Go Deeper

    In this chapter we are able to read a letter from Jeremiah (inspired by God) to the elders and leaders of the Jews living in Babylonian exile. As a reminder, they were far from home and displaced from all that they had known. Imagine the disorienting feeling they must have experienced! 

    Verses 5-9 outline how God was calling them to live as exiles. They were to settle down and plant roots. They were to marry and have children. They were to plant gardens and make themselves at home. They were to seek the peace and prosperity of those around them (including the Babylonians). There was likely a desire to just wait it out or begrudgingly live day-to-day until they were given the green light to return home after 70 years. But that’s not what God was asking of them. He wanted them to live in a way that was uniquely different and compelling to those around them.

    God wanted them to bring shalom to Babylon. That word means “peace” or “wholeness”. As we read the New Testament, Paul talks about how Christians are to be like Christ’s ambassadors here on earth as ministers of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19-20). We have the opportunity to live out the Gospel alongside a broken world that needs to be reconciled to God. We, too, are called to live in a unique and compelling way. 

    Jeremiah goes on to remind them that God has a plan for His people; they have not been forgotten about and He is still working for their good. Pastor David Guzik in his Enduring Word commentary describes God’s message to the exiles in verses 11-12 like this: 

    “The exiled Jews lived in the experience of God’s judgment upon their nation. It was easy for them to think that God was against them; that He intended evil for them. Through Jeremiah, God assured them that His thoughts toward them were of peace, and that in His heart and mind He had a future and a hope for them.”

    Verse 13 is a powerful reminder of the full devotion that God is looking for: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” God never abandoned his people; He wanted them to seek Him with everything they had. God reminded them that eventually they would return home, giving them hope for the future. We too, as exiles here on earth, can look forward to a future hope where we are finally home with God forever.

    Questions

    1. What stuck out to you on your first read through this chapter? Why?
    2. What does it look like practically for you to bring shalom into the place that you live?
    3. Jeremiah 29:11 is a verse that’s often used out of context. Reading it in its original context, what is God trying to communicate to the exiles?

    A Quote

    Dr. Philip Ryken, who has written a commentary on the book of Jeremiah, said this:

    “By themselves, random acts of kindness cannot bring enduring peace. The only basis for real and lasting shalom is the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.”

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  • Jeremiah 28

    Jeremiah 28

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    The False Prophet Hananiah

    28 In the fifth month of that same year, the fourth year, early in the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, the prophet Hananiah son of Azzur, who was from Gibeon, said to me in the house of the Lord in the presence of the priests and all the people: 2 “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon. 3 Within two years I will bring back to this place all the articles of the Lord’s house that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon removed from here and took to Babylon. 4 I will also bring back to this place Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah and all the other exiles from Judah who went to Babylon,’ declares the Lord, ‘for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.’”

    5 Then the prophet Jeremiah replied to the prophet Hananiah before the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the Lord. 6 He said, “Amen! May the Lord do so! May the Lord fulfill the words you have prophesied by bringing the articles of the Lord’s house and all the exiles back to this place from Babylon. 7 Nevertheless, listen to what I have to say in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people: 8 From early times the prophets who preceded you and me have prophesied war, disaster and plague against many countries and great kingdoms. 9 But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the Lord only if his prediction comes true.”

    10 Then the prophet Hananiah took the yoke off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah and broke it, 11 and he said before all the people, “This is what the Lord says: ‘In the same way I will break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon off the neck of all the nations within two years.’” At this, the prophet Jeremiah went on his way.

    12 After the prophet Hananiah had broken the yoke off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: 13 “Go and tell Hananiah, ‘This is what the Lord says: You have broken a wooden yoke, but in its place you will get a yoke of iron. 14 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I will put an iron yoke on the necks of all these nations to make them serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and they will serve him. I will even give him control over the wild animals.’”

    15 Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, “Listen, Hananiah! The Lord has not sent you, yet you have persuaded this nation to trust in lies. 16 Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. This very year you are going to die, because you have preached rebellion against the Lord.’”

    17 In the seventh month of that same year, Hananiah the prophet died.

    Go Deeper

    In this chapter, we see a back-and-forth exchange between Jeremiah and Hananiah, the son of another prophet. Hananiah was from Gibeon, a place with a reputation for both deceit and violence. He comes along with a message contradicting that of Jeremiah in the previous chapter, saying they would be freed from the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar. This sounded like great news, right? Well, it would have been–if it had been true. While Judah was longing for good news, it turns out that Jeremiah was right all along.  

    Pastor David Guzik in his Enduring Word commentary says, “When Jeremiah prophesied exile and captivity, Hananiah prophesied return and restoration. They both spoke in the name of the LORD, and it seemed that they could not both be right.” Hananiah even has the audacity to go break the yoke off of Jeremiah’s neck (v. 10-11)! As Jeremiah walked away, the crowd likely assumed Hananiah was right after all–maybe they could trust his more optimistic words instead of Jeremiah’s. As Jeremiah returns (with a new message from the Lord) with a yoke of iron, the message is clear: they were going to be yoked to Nebuchadnezzar, like it or not. Their planned rebellion would fail and Hananiah, as a result of his deception, would soon die. 

    As you would expect, what Jeremiah said came to pass. Within just a couple of months, Hananiah met the very fate Jeremiah prophesied about. As we read this, isn’t it interesting how desperately the people wanted Hananiah to be right? They wanted the “truth” to be the easier way–the way that got them what they wanted, which was ultimately a return home free of captivity. Something inside of us wants the easier path, and we would love to go the way the world wants us to go in order to take it. As we read this passage with the benefit of being followers of Christ in the twenty-first century, we can read it knowing that we can always test the ways of the world and the “false prophets” of our day with the Word of God. As followers of Christ, we can always trust that the Truth will win out.

    Questions

    1. What stuck out to you on your first read through this chapter? Why?
    2. What is the symbolism of the wooden yoke and the iron yoke? 
    3. What messages from the false prophets of our day are you tempted to believe? How can you test those against the truth of God’s Word?

    By the Way

    Jesus talks about the importance of yoking ourselves to him in Matthew 11:28-30:

    28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

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  • Jeremiah 27

    Jeremiah 27

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    Judah to Serve Nebuchadnezzar

    27 Early in the reign of Zedekiah son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 This is what the Lord said to me: “Make a yoke out of straps and crossbars and put it on your neck. 3 Then sendword to the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre and Sidon through the envoys who have come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah. 4 Give them a message for their masters and say, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Tell this to your masters: 5 With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and the animals that are on it, and I give it to anyone I please. 6 Now I will give all your countries into the hands of my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; I will make even the wild animals subject to him. 7 All nations will serve him and his son and his grandson until the time for his land comes; then many nations and great kings will subjugate him.

    8 “‘“If, however, any nation or kingdom will not serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon or bow its neck under his yoke, I will punish that nation with the sword, famine and plague, declares the Lord, until I destroy it by his hand.9 So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums or your sorcerers who tell you, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon.’ 10 They prophesy lies to you that will only serve to removeyou far from your lands; I will banish you and you will perish. 11 But if any nation will bow its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will let that nation remain in its own land to till it and to live there, declares the Lord.”’”

    12 I gave the same message to Zedekiah king of Judah. I said, “Bow your neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and you will live. 13 Why will you and your people die by the sword, famine and plague with which the Lord has threatened any nation that will not serve the king of Babylon? 14 Do not listen to the words of the prophets who say to you, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon,’ for they are prophesying lies to you. 15 ‘I have not sent them,’ declares the Lord. ‘They are prophesying lies in my name. Therefore, I will banish you and you will perish, both you and the prophets who prophesy to you.’”

    16 Then I said to the priests and all these people, “This is what the Lordsays: Do not listen to the prophets who say, ‘Very soon now the articles from the Lord’s house will be brought back from Babylon.’ They are prophesying lies to you. 17 Do not listen to them. Serve the king of Babylon, and you will live. Why should this city become a ruin? 18 If they are prophets and have the word of the Lord, let them plead with the Lord Almighty that the articles remaining in the house of the Lord and in the palace of the king of Judah and in Jerusalem not be taken to Babylon. 19 For this is what the LordAlmighty says about the pillars, the bronze Sea, the movable stands and the other articles that are left in this city, 20 which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon did not take away when he carried Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, along with all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem— 21 yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says about the things that are left in the house of the Lord and in the palace of the king of Judah and in Jerusalem: 22 ‘They will be taken to Babylon and there they will remain until the day I come for them,’ declares the Lord. ‘Then I will bring them back and restore them to this place.’”

    Go Deeper

    Since this book is a collection of event’s by Jeremiah’s scribe, sometimes the chapters feel out of order. Today’s reading jumps ahead in the timeline, most likely after the Babylonian invasion. Currently, the people are trying to rebel against their rulers, but God sends a clear message against this. Before hearing about their submission to a worldly king, it is made abundantly clear that God is the one in control here. God continuously uses possessive and personal pronouns of “I” and “my” to indicate His activity in this command. And when He does refer to Nebuchadnezzar, God puts him in his place as “my servant” (v. 6). To call a feared king a servant makes it clear that though Nebuchadnezzar does not follow God, anything he or any of his lineage do will only be within God’s will to further His plan. God is not just passively aware of what is going on, but actively involved in its outcome.

    We see a theme throughout the Old Testament of military success only found by trusting God and with His approval. So as the people are trying to revolt, God is making it clear that rebellion is not on His side. His plan is different from their own. The yoke is a symbol of their full submission to serving Nebuchadnezzar. However, God is not just calling them to submission, but also trust. We don’t have a full understanding as to why this was God’s plan but what we do see is the people are listening to false prophets more than God (v. 9). He is teaching them to be fully devoted to Him and His truth. 

    Psalm 86:11 says, “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” We are not called to trust when His way seems right to us or when it’s what is popular. Faithfulness is not always convenient or logical, but if it was then it would not be faith. God called his people to hard submission. 

    It’s easy to pray for God’s path when we have run out of options, but it’s harder to do this when it doesn’t seem like the best way. What is so beautiful about that particular psalm is that God doesn’t tell us we have to know why, we just have to trust Him. Our job is to lean into Him. We get to pray for Him to teach us His way and give us an undivided heart. He is the one at work here, what we get from hard submission is greater nearness to Him and greater understanding of His character!

    Questions

    1. What does this chapter tell us about Jeremiah’s character? What can we learn from him here?
    2. Jeremiah opens his prophetic message by calling God “The LORD Almighty” or “Jehovah Sabaoth” meaning He is sovereign and mighty over all things. Why do you think Jeremiah opened with this name of God?
    3. Read Matthew 11:28-30. How does the New Covenant teach about the new yoke? What does it look like for us to submit to His yoke?

    Pray This

    You are a God who closes doors and kindly says, “Not this, not yet.” Continue to be a God who faithfully directs me and my heart where you would lead me. Help me to walk in your ways, at your pace. Father, you know me and love me more than I do myself; let your plan be sovereign and I the humble servant who surrenders to it. Amen. 

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  • Jeremiah 26

    Jeremiah 26

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    Jeremiah Threatened With Death

    26 Early in the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came from the Lord: 2 “This is what the Lord says: Stand in the courtyard of the Lord’s house and speak to all the people of the towns of Judah who come to worship in the house of the Lord. Tell them everything I command you; do not omit a word. 3 Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from their evil ways. Then I will relent and not inflict on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done. 4 Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord says: If you do not listen to me and follow my law, which I have set before you, 5 and if you do not listen to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I have sent to you again and again (though you have not listened), 6 then I will make this house like Shiloh and this city a curse among all the nations of the earth.’”

    7 The priests, the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speak these words in the house of the Lord. 8 But as soon as Jeremiah finished telling all the people everything the Lord had commanded him to say, the priests, the prophets and all the people seized him and said, “You must die! 9 Why do you prophesy in the Lord’s name that this house will be like Shiloh and this city will be desolate and deserted?” And all the people crowded around Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.

    10 When the officials of Judah heard about these things, they went up from the royal palace to the house of the Lord and took their places at the entrance of the New Gate of the Lord’s house. 11 Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and all the people, “This man should be sentenced to death because he has prophesied against this city. You have heard it with your own ears!”

    12 Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people: “The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard. 13 Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God. Then the Lord will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you. 14 As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right. 15 Be assured, however, that if you put me to death, you will bring the guilt of innocent blood on yourselves and on this city and on those who live in it, for in truth the Lord has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.”

    16 Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, “This man should not be sentenced to death! He has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God.”

    17 Some of the elders of the land stepped forward and said to the entire assembly of people, 18 “Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah. He told all the people of Judah, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says:

    “‘Zion will be plowed like a field,
        Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble,
        the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets.’

    19 “Did Hezekiah king of Judah or anyone else in Judah put him to death? Did not Hezekiah fear the Lord and seek his favor? And did not the Lordrelent, so that he did not bring the disaster he pronounced against them? We are about to bring a terrible disaster on ourselves!”

    20 (Now Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath Jearim was another man who prophesied in the name of the Lord; he prophesied the same things against this city and this land as Jeremiah did. 21 When King Jehoiakim and all his officers and officials heard his words, the king was determined to put him to death. But Uriah heard of it and fled in fear to Egypt. 22 King Jehoiakim, however, sent Elnathan son of Akbor to Egypt, along with some other men.23 They brought Uriah out of Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim, who had him struck down with a sword and his body thrown into the burial place of the common people.)

    24 Furthermore, Ahikam son of Shaphan supported Jeremiah, and so he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.

    Go Deeper

    To fully understand this chapter, it’s important to begin with a refresher on Judah’s history. As Jeremiah is prophesying in this chapter, Jehoiakim (the son of the late King Josiah) was on the throne. Why is the family tree important here? King Josiah was one of the few righteous and noble kings of Judah’s past that we read about in 2 Kings 23. During his reign, idols were purged and destroyed. God’s people, under Josiah’s leadership, turned from their wickedness and renewed their covenant with God. As a result, God relented from punishing them in the way that they deserved. 

    Josiah’s son Jehoahaz then took over and, after a reign of only three months, Jehoahaz was taken captive by the king of Egypt. In steps Johiakim to lead the people of Judah, but it is evident early on that his father’s legacy of faithfulness wasn’t passed down to the new king. As Jeremiah preached a message for all who would listen, there was immediate pushback and hostility from the priests, prophets, and the audience listening (v. 7-9). But why? Perhaps they thought Jeremiah wanted these things he was preaching about to happen. We know that it was meant to be a somber warning, not a celebratory, hopeful prediction. 

    As Jeremiah defends himself (v. 12-15), we see on display a humble servant courageously living out God’s call on his life. Even as he’s under scrutiny and publicly defending himself, he continues to speak the truth boldly. He reminds everyone that he’s not there by his own volition, but that he’s doing as God had instructed him to do. Even as the people wanted him put to death, Jeremiah called them to repentance once again. 

    Jeremiah’s words ultimately won the crowd over. They reflect back on the times in the past that they had listened to the words of the prophets and concluded that Jeremiah must be communicating on God’s behalf. This passage is a helpful reminder to us of what it looks like to speak the truth with both love and courage. Had Jeremiah cowered and compromised, the crowd wouldn’t have heard the message of repentance that they needed to hear. Today, let’s be people of courage who carry the Gospel forth with boldness. 

    Questions

    1. What stuck out to you on your first read through this chapter? Why?
    2. Why is it important to understand the lineage of the kings of Judah? Why are those words preserved in scripture? 
    3. Are you a naturally bold and courageous person? If not, what can you do to grow in your courage today?

    Did You Know?

    The reference to Uriah son of Shemaiah in verses 20-23 is the only mention of this prophet Uriah in all of scripture. 

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  • Jeremiah 25

    Jeremiah 25

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    Seventy Years of Captivity

    25 The word came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, which was the first year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. 2 So Jeremiah the prophet said to all the people of Judah and to all those living in Jerusalem: 3 For twenty-three years—from the thirteenth year of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah until this very day—the word of the Lord has come to me and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened.

    4 And though the Lord has sent all his servants the prophets to you again and again, you have not listened or paid any attention. 5 They said, “Turnnow, each of you, from your evil ways and your evil practices, and you can stay in the land the Lord gave to you and your ancestors for ever and ever.6 Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them; do not arouse my anger with what your hands have made. Then I will not harm you.”

    7 “But you did not listen to me,” declares the Lord, “and you have arousedmy anger with what your hands have made, and you have brought harm to yourselves.”

    8 Therefore the Lord Almighty says this: “Because you have not listened to my words, 9 I will summon all the peoples of the north and my servantNebuchadnezzar king of Babylon,” declares the Lord, “and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants and against all the surrounding nations. I will completely destroy them and make them an object of horror and scorn,and an everlasting ruin. 10 I will banish from them the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, the sound of millstones and the light of the lamp. 11 This whole country will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years.

    12 “But when the seventy years are fulfilled, I will punish the king of Babylonand his nation, the land of the Babylonians, for their guilt,” declares the Lord, “and will make it desolate forever. 13 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. 14 They themselves will be enslaved by many nations and great kings; I will repay them according to their deeds and the work of their hands.”

    The Cup of God’s Wrath

    15 This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from my hand this cup filled with the wine of my wrath and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it. 16 When they drink it, they will stagger and go madbecause of the sword I will send among them.”

    17 So I took the cup from the Lord’s hand and made all the nations to whom he sent me drink it: 18 Jerusalem and the towns of Judah, its kings and officials, to make them a ruin and an object of horror and scorn, a curse—as they are today; 19 Pharaoh king of Egypt, his attendants, his officials and all his people, 20 and all the foreign people there; all the kings of Uz; all the kings of the Philistines (those of Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and the people left at Ashdod); 21 Edom, Moab and Ammon; 22 all the kings of Tyre and Sidon;the kings of the coastlands across the sea; 23 Dedan, Tema, Buz and all who are in distant places; 24 all the kings of Arabia and all the kings of the foreign people who live in the wilderness; 25 all the kings of Zimri, Elam and Media;26 and all the kings of the north, near and far, one after the other—all the kingdoms on the face of the earth. And after all of them, the king of Sheshakwill drink it too.

    27 “Then tell them, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Drink, get drunk and vomit, and fall to rise no more because of the sword I will send among you.’ 28 But if they refuse to take the cup from your hand and drink, tell them, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: You must drink it!29 See, I am beginning to bring disaster on the city that bears my Name, and will you indeed go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, for I am calling down a sword on all who live on the earth, declares the Lord Almighty.’

    30 “Now prophesy all these words against them and say to them:

    “‘The Lord will roar from on high;
        he will thunder from his holy dwelling
        and roar mightily against his land.
    He will shout like those who tread the grapes,
        shout against all who live on the earth.
    31 The tumult will resound to the ends of the earth,
        for the Lord will bring charges against the nations;
    he will bring judgment on all mankind
        and put the wicked to the sword,’”
    declares the Lord.

    32 This is what the Lord Almighty says:

    “Look! Disaster is spreading
        from nation to nation;
    a mighty storm is rising
        from the ends of the earth.”

    33 At that time those slain by the Lord will be everywhere—from one end of the earth to the other. They will not be mourned or gathered up or buried,but will be like dung lying on the ground.

    34 Weep and wail, you shepherds;
        roll in the dust, you leaders of the flock.
    For your time to be slaughtered has come;
        you will fall like the best of the rams.
    35 The shepherds will have nowhere to flee,
        the leaders of the flock no place to escape.
    36 Hear the cry of the shepherds,
        the wailing of the leaders of the flock,
        for the Lord is destroying their pasture.
    37 The peaceful meadows will be laid waste
        because of the fierce anger of the Lord.
    38 Like a lion he will leave his lair,
        and their land will become desolate
    because of the sword of the oppressor
        and because of the Lord’s fierce anger.

    Go Deeper

    Jeremiah opens by reminding the people of Judah that he has been speaking persistently and yet they have not listened. This was not a matter of opportunity but rather of choice. The opportunity to repent had been presented by the prophets, who were God’s chosen instruments, to warn them their sin would cost them. Despite hearing all this, the people of Judah chose their way and destruction was inevitable. As Jeremiah said previously, “Your iniquities have turned these away, and your sins have kept good from you” (Jeremiah 5:25). Not only will the people suffer, but also the land that God has given them.

    In Jeremiah 25:11 God says that these nations will serve the king of Babylon for 70 years. God is the only one who has the power and wisdom to set a timeline for this destruction. For 70 years they will be under the rule and reign of another “king”. However, this king is not loving, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love as the Lord is (Exodus 34). This text is a clear reminder that we were made to worship and serve a master. The people of Judah did not escape being under someone’s rule; they just simply chose the lesser option of a king.  

    After communicating the clear and coming result of their turning away from God, we see a glimpse of the future restoration that God will bring. After 70 years have passed, God will punish the king of Babylon for the oppression of His people in exile. In a moment where people’s sins are ever before them, we are reminded that we have the opportunity to serve a Lord who delights in showing mercy (Micah 7:18). 

    Jeremiah is told to take a cup of wine for all whom God appoints to drink. This cup serves as a symbol of God’s wrath that will be poured on nations. Due to the pride of the nation in doing what seemed best to them (Proverbs 14:12) and their refusal to humble themselves before God, God’s judgment is coming. The Lord is clear that none will go unpunished (v. 29).

    Questions

    1. In the same way the people of Judah were going to serve a master, what master does your life reveal that you serve?
    2. Who in your life needs a reminder that God’s love for them is not based on their performance but on Jesus’ death and resurrection? 
    3. What sin do you need to repent of today through the warning of God’s Word?

    A Quote

    “Repentance is not merely about pleading for mercy but about opening your wound to Jesus the Physician” – John Mark Comer

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  • Jeremiah 24

    Jeremiah 24

    Read Jeremiah 24

    Two Baskets of Figs

    24 After Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah and the officials, the skilled workers and the artisans of Judah were carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Lordshowed me two baskets of figs placed in front of the temple of the Lord.2 One basket had very good figs, like those that ripen early; the other basket had very bad figs, so bad they could not be eaten.

    3 Then the Lord asked me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?”

    “Figs,” I answered. “The good ones are very good, but the bad ones are so bad they cannot be eaten.”

    4 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 5 “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Like these good figs, I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I sent away from this place to the land of the Babylonians. 6 My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. 7 I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.

    8 “‘But like the bad figs, which are so bad they cannot be eaten,’ says the Lord, ‘so will I deal with Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials and the survivors from Jerusalem, whether they remain in this land or live in Egypt.9 I will make them abhorrent and an offense to all the kingdoms of the earth, a reproach and a byword, a curse and an object of ridicule, wherever I banish them. 10 I will send the sword, famine and plague against them until they are destroyed from the land I gave to them and their ancestors.’”

    Go Deeper

    Matthew Henry, a 17th century theologian, ends his commentary on Jeremiah 24 saying, “Let those who desire blessings from the Lord, beg that He will give them a heart to know Him.” Keep this thought in mind as we look closer at this short, yet poignant chapter.

    The Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar, have conquered Judah. The king and many of the people are taken captive by the Babylonians. Some fled to Egypt while others stayed. The prophecies of Jeremiah are now reality. He continues on with a vision describing Judah as two baskets of figs. One of the baskets is described as good and the other is sadly the opposite.

    Let’s review the meaning of the bad figs first. Described as inedible and abhorrent, verses 8-10 make it clear that God is dealing directly with the leaders and those remaining in the land and in Egypt. His judgment is a result of their proud and stubborn hearts that were unwilling to live in obedience to God. Many in leadership positions (and the priests) encouraged a life of willful disobedience to God’s law living in blatant idolatry and a self-driven lifestyle apart from God. It led to their demise. Romans 1:28 speaks a similar message toward disobedience and God’s thoughts on it saying, “Furthermore, as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so they do what ought not to be done.”  Living in a manner described in this verse is tragic, lonely, and full of strife and never ends well.

    The good figs, in contrast, are given 4 promises in verses 5-7:

    1. God promises that He is sovereign.
    2. He promises to “watch over them for their good” (v. 6), which means He will always be present with them.
    3. He promises later “bring them back to this land and build them up” (v. 6b), which means He will restore them. 
    4. He promises to “give them a heart to know Me, and I will be their God and they will return to me with all of their heart” (v. 7), which means He is forever faithful in His love and heart for them.

    If we find ourselves in a similar place, we also can hang onto these same four promises that God gave to those of Judah. He is in control, he will always be with us, he will restore us in His time, and He is faithful in His love and care over us. Imagine for a moment how the disciples felt afraid, helpless, and hopeless on the Friday that Christ died. They felt their world had ended. Then, Sunday came for them, and will come for us. He is always faithful, and His promises are true. We must never determine God’s love or view of us by our circumstances. Let God have His way with us and let Him teach and grow us believing His word and promises that our Sunday is coming!

    Questions

    1. Compare the good figs in this story with the bad figs. What are the differences?
    2. Why must we examine our lives before God regularly?
    3. What promise from the reading today can you lean into right now that will be helpful? Discuss this with someone in your Life Group and ask for prayer support as well.

    A Quote

    Eugene Peterson, a pastor and author, once said, “As acts of human wrongdoing and lying accumulate, people are trying to shroud truth. But the reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is!”

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  • Jeremiah 23

    Jeremiah 23

    Editor’s Note

    Beginning on Palm Sunday we are going to pause our journey through Jeremiah and read through selected New Testament readings that correspond what was happening during the life of Jesus in the days leading up to his arrest, torture, crucifixion, and resurrection. We will pick Jeremiah back up on the day after Easter!

    Follow along with us next week as we read about the week that transformed the course of human history! 

    Read Jeremiah 23

    The Righteous Branch

    23 “Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. 2 Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: “Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the Lord. 3 “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture,where they will be fruitful and increase in number. 4 I will place shepherdsover them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord.

    5 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
        “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,
    a King who will reign wisely
        and do what is just and right in the land.
    6 In his days Judah will be saved
        and Israel will live in safety.
    This is the name by which he will be called:
        The Lord Our Righteous Savior.

    7 “So then, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when people will no longer say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,’ 8 but they will say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.’ Then they will live in their own land.”

    Lying Prophets

    9 Concerning the prophets:

    My heart is broken within me;
        all my bones tremble.
    I am like a drunken man,
        like a strong man overcome by wine,
    because of the Lord
        and his holy words.
    10 The land is full of adulterers;
        because of the curse the land lies parched
        and the pastures in the wilderness are withered.
    The prophets follow an evil course
        and use their power unjustly.

    11 “Both prophet and priest are godless;
        even in my temple I find their wickedness,”
    declares the Lord.
    12 “Therefore their path will become slippery;
        they will be banished to darkness
        and there they will fall.
    I will bring disaster on them
        in the year they are punished,”
    declares the Lord.

    13 “Among the prophets of Samaria
        I saw this repulsive thing:
    They prophesied by Baal
        and led my people Israel astray.
    14 And among the prophets of Jerusalem
        I have seen something horrible:
        They commit adultery and live a lie.
    They strengthen the hands of evildoers,
        so that not one of them turns from their wickedness.
    They are all like Sodom to me;
        the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.”

    15 Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty says concerning the prophets:

    “I will make them eat bitter food
        and drink poisoned water,
    because from the prophets of Jerusalem
        ungodliness has spread throughout the land.”

    16 This is what the Lord Almighty says:

    “Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you;
        they fill you with false hopes.
    They speak visions from their own minds,
        not from the mouth of the Lord.
    17 They keep saying to those who despise me,
        ‘The Lord says: You will have peace.’
    And to all who follow the stubbornness of their hearts
        they say, ‘No harm will come to you.’
    18 But which of them has stood in the council of the Lord
        to see or to hear his word?
        Who has listened and heard his word?
    19 See, the storm of the Lord
        will burst out in wrath,
    a whirlwind swirling down
        on the heads of the wicked.
    20 The anger of the Lord will not turn back
        until he fully accomplishes
        the purposes of his heart.
    In days to come
        you will understand it clearly.
    21 I did not send these prophets,
        yet they have run with their message;
    I did not speak to them,
        yet they have prophesied.
    22 But if they had stood in my council,
        they would have proclaimed my words to my people
    and would have turned them from their evil ways
        and from their evil deeds.

    23 “Am I only a God nearby,”
    declares the Lord,
        “and not a God far away?
    24 Who can hide in secret places
        so that I cannot see them?”
    declares the Lord.
        “Do not I fill heaven and earth?”
    declares the Lord.

    25 “I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’ 26 How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds? 27 They think the dreams they tell one another will make my people forget my name, just as their ancestors forgot my name through Baal worship. 28 Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the Lord. 29 “Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?

    30 “Therefore,” declares the Lord, “I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me. 31 Yes,” declares the Lord, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, ‘The Lorddeclares.’ 32 Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” declares the Lord. “They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yet I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least,” declares the Lord.

    False Prophecy

    33 “When these people, or a prophet or a priest, ask you, ‘What is the message from the Lord?’ say to them, ‘What message? I will forsake you, declares the Lord.’ 34 If a prophet or a priest or anyone else claims, ‘This is a message from the Lord,’ I will punish them and their household. 35 This is what each of you keeps saying to your friends and other Israelites: ‘What is the Lord’s answer?’ or ‘What has the Lord spoken?’ 36 But you must not mention ‘a message from the Lord’ again, because each one’s word becomes their own message. So you distort the words of the living God, the Lord Almighty, our God. 37 This is what you keep saying to a prophet: ‘What is the Lord’s answer to you?’ or ‘What has the Lord spoken?’ 38 Although you claim, ‘This is a message from the Lord,’ this is what the Lord says: You used the words, ‘This is a message from the Lord,’ even though I told you that you must not claim, ‘This is a message from the Lord.’ 39 Therefore, I will surely forget you and cast you out of my presence along with the city I gave to you and your ancestors. 40 I will bring on you everlasting disgrace—everlasting shame that will not be forgotten.”

    Go Deeper

    The previous chapter in Jeremiah addressed God’s judgment against sinful kings. This was an indictment on Israel’s leadership starting with Jehoahaz, to Jehoiakim, and Jehoiachin. Rather than tending for their people like good shepherds, the kings of Judah were neglecting and harming them. During this time, the word shepherd was a metaphor for a king. This chapter points to a future king who would reign as a good shepherd over the people. This chapter is full of Messianic prophecies, which are promises pointing to Jesus, and gives hope for the future in the midst of coming judgment.

    The end of Jeremiah 22 states that none of Jehoiachin’s (Coniah’s) sons would rule as kings. The Lord, however, still kept His promise not to cut off the Davidic line. This was stated in the Davidic Covenant when the Lord ensured David a house, or a lasting dynasty through which the Messiah will come, an eternal kingdom to come through His lineage, and a throne to which will have ultimate authority (2 Samuel 7.) A righteous King will one day come and reign. It says, “The days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Savior” (v. 5-6).

    The term “branch” is used multiple times in the Old Testament, in a genealogical context to refer to the future Messiah. The “branch of the Lord” is shown in four different ways in Scripture. It is used to describe a king, a servant, a man, and God. In this chapter of Jeremiah, the “branch” is depicted as a king. The Branch of the Lord in this passage and others in the Old Testament is referring to Jesus. Just as the “Branch” is described in various ways, Jesus is shown in different ways in the gospels. In the gospel of Matthew, we see Jesus as the King, in Mark He is portrayed as a suffering servant, He is shown as the perfect man in Luke, and the Savior of the world in John.

    Not only will the Lord send a righteous king, but He will regather Israel. It says, “So then, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when people will no longer say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,’ but they will say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.’ Then they will live in their own land” (v. 7-8). This promise is eschatological, meaning it will be fulfilled in the Millenium when Jesus returns.

    God is faithful to fulfill His promises. Hundreds of years later, He would send the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. He would reign wisely and be our righteous Savior. We can praise God today that He is our shepherd, our righteous King, and His goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives.

    Questions

    1. What is something that stands out to you in this chapter?
    2. Where do you see a shadow of Christ in Jeremiah 23?
    3. How has Jesus been a “good shepherd” to you?

    Keep Digging

    Interested in learning more about “the Branch of the Lord”? Click here to read this article from GotQuestions.org! 

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