Introduction to Jeremiah

The book of Jeremiah is about Yahweh’s goodness and His people’s refusal to follow His ways (Jer 6:16). It also portrays Jeremiah’s persistence in following his prophetic call despite indifference and opposition. Jeremiah warned Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel, of God’s judgment—which culminated in 586 bc with the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. But Yahweh ultimately provides hope, promising to renew His covenant with His people (Jer 31:31–34). Jeremiah proclaims that God had long ago established a contractual agreement with them and will restore that relationship (compare Exod 24:1–8).

Background

We have more information about Jeremiah than any of the other writing prophets. He was born near the middle of the seventh century bc in Anathoth, a town three miles northeast of Jerusalem. He was from a priestly family and may have been a descendant of Abiathar, the high priest under David whom Solomon had banished to Anathoth (1 Kgs 2:26). Jeremiah was called to be a prophet during Josiah’s reign, around 627 bc (Jer 1:2, 6). However, most of his known prophetic ministry occurred after approximately 605 bc, as Judah declined and then fell to the Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar.

Jeremiah experienced opposition throughout his ministry. King Jehoiakim (609–597 bc) burned a scroll of Jeremiah’s prophecies to indicate his contempt (Jer 36). During the siege of Jerusalem, Jeremiah was accused of treason and imprisoned because of his preaching (Jer 37). After Jerusalem fell, Jeremiah chose to remain (Jer 40:1–6), but he was still taken to Egypt against his will around 585 bc (Jer 43:4–7).

Structure

The book of Jeremiah can be divided into six major sections. The prologue (Jer 1:1–19) relates Jeremiah’s call to be a prophet. The second section (Jer 2:1–25:38) contains judgment oracles against Judah and Jerusalem (Jer 2–20), as well as three collections of oracles and prose sermons concerning Jerusalem and the kings there (Jer 21:1–23:8), the lying prophets (Jer 23:9–40), and Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon (Jer 24:1–25:38).

The third section (Jer 26:1–39:18) corresponds to Jeremiah’s life before the fall of Jerusalem. It begins with various prose narratives illustrating the unpopularity of Jeremiah’s message (Jer 26–29). The next section is the “Book of Comfort” (Jer 30–33), which describes the future restoration of Israel and Judah, as well as the new covenant that Yahweh establishes with His people (Jer 31:31–34). More narratives follow in Jeremiah 34–39: the release and re-enslavement of all the slaves in Jerusalem (Jer 34), Jeremiah’s interactions with the Rechabites (Jer 35), the burning of Jeremiah’s prophetic scroll by King Jehoiakim (Jer 36), and the events immediately before the fall of Jerusalem (Jer 37:3–39:18).

The fourth section (Jer 40:1–45:5) records events after Jerusalem is captured by the Babylonians: Jeremiah’s decision to stay in the land (Jer 40:1–6), Gedaliah’s brief rule as governor and his assassination (Jer 40:7–41:18), Jeremiah’s forced journey to Egypt (Jer 42–44), and Jeremiah’s closing words to his scribe, Baruch (Jer 45:1–5).

The fifth section (Jer 46–51) contains Jeremiah’s oracles against the nations.

The final chapter serves as an epilogue and is substantially the same as 2 Kgs 24:18–25:30; it describes the fall of Jerusalem, the three deportations of the people of Judah, and King Jehoiachin’s release from prison in Babylon (Jer 52).

Outline

• Jeremiah’s call (Jer 1:1–19)

• Judgment on Judah (Jer 2:1–25:38)

• Jeremiah’s life before the fall of Jerusalem (Jer 26:1–39:18)

• Jeremiah’s life after the fall of Jerusalem (Jer 40:1–45:5)

• Oracles against the nations (Jer 46:1–51:64)

• Historical appendix (Jer 52:1–34)

Themes

Jeremiah had a clear calling, but he also experienced the sadness and loneliness of speaking to an unrepentant people. He told God’s people that their approaching exile was a consequence of their disregard for God’s law. They would not be protected by their political alliances or their cultural markers, but only by a return to God.

Although Jeremiah prophesied impending disaster, he also prophesied hope. The disaster was not averted, but God would restore His people and form a new covenant with them—His law would be written on their hearts. This covenant is linked to the new covenant in Christ in the New Testament (Heb 8:8–12; 10:16–17). Jeremiah continued to share the word of Yahweh in a hopeless situation, knowing that God would remain faithful. Jeremiah offers us a model of what it means to be faithful despite opposition and disaster.

Further Reading

The Major Prophets

Jeremiah, Book of CLBD

Jeremiah the Prophet CLBD