catastrophe became increasingly inevitable for the nation. But even then there were still opportunities for individuals to escape or mitigate the impact of what was happening. What was looked for was faith—a commitment to the LORD and a personal acceptance that his purposes were determinative for life. However, Jeremiah’s ministry was not one of unrelieved gloom. Setting out beforehand an explanation for the trauma that was to befall the people provided a structure for faith to survive through the