Jeremiah

A Brief Introduction 

Global Message for Today 

1. Though we may not be prophets, our call is personal and effectual (Rom. 8:29–30). Every Christian has been consecrated by divine grace to be in the service of the Lord, and as such every believer is the object of His love. Whatever service we are given, it is a calling. Perhaps if we had a better grasp of this, we would not be so despondent in times of difficulty and hardship. Let us therefore serve the Lord with gladness.

2. The children of God are engaged in spiritual warfare; the battle is raging. Let us “fight a good fight” (2 Tim. 4:7), not as defeated Christians but as “more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Rom. 8:37). Upholding the Word of God will never make us popular. We will be hated by many, yet one person with God is a majority! How does this chapter encourage you to stand up for the Lord? 

1. When we backslide from the Lord, He brings to remembrance the love that we had at first (vv. 2–3; Rev. 2:4). If we feel our love for the Lord and His people cooling, let us remember former days when it burned hot and bright. What zeal we once had and what gratitude for His forgiveness and love! Such remembering can stir the backslidden heart to desire repentance, that it may taste again of God’s living waters.

2. How foolish it is to reject the Lord. If we have the fountain, we need nothing more. Blessing and salvation are freely available to those who would come (Rev. 22:17). Come to the Lord Jesus, for He says, “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14). In what ways do you need Him today? 

1. Many professing Christians behave as Judah did. They assume that as long as they pay lip service to God, they can live as they please and all will still be well. But becoming a true child of God results in a true change (Ezek. 36:25–27). Those united to Christ cannot live in sin any longer (Rom. 6:1–4).

2. Idolatry, greed, selfishness, and immorality are all fruits that find their root in the hardness and sinfulness of an unregenerate heart. Godly reformation, the kind that Josiah enforced, may strip away evil fruits, but it cannot reach the root or source of the problem, which is the hardened heart of unbelief. We learn from Judah’s treachery the depravity of the human heart. The Lord Jesus says in Matt. 15:19, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” How then can people ever change? 

1. The warnings of judgment given to Judah look forward to that great and terrible day of the Lord when Christ returns in glory. It is a great blessing when God gives us such warnings and makes us willing to listen to them. There is no greater comfort in the day of wrath than to know that we are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1; 1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9). What reasons does this chapter give us to flee to Christ and cling to Him by faith?

2. God’s judgment of reversing creation begins in the spiritual disorder of those who claim to be His people. This judgment can be seen in churches today that once had order in worship and the light of the gospel but have descended into disorder and darkness. Let us be careful to cling to God’s Word by faith and obedience, and then we can take great comfort that the Lord will not make “a full end” of His church. 

1. In a time of great spiritual decline, the Lord challenged Jeremiah to find just one man who publicly stood for truth and righteousness so that the Lord would pardon the city. We see the mercy of God wonderfully revealed here. He would have spared Sodom if ten righteous men could have been found there (Gen. 18:23–32); yet though Jerusalem’s sins exceed those of Sodom (Ezek. 16:48) the Lord asks for just one man. How are you standing in the gap (22:30) by advocating for and doing justice in society?

2. The nation of Judah behaved despicably toward the Lord, yet they still thought highly of themselves. We see the same thing today. The judgment of God is coming, and it will be a terrifying thing (Rev. 20:11–15). Sadly, many will not believe this until it comes upon them. Repent of every sin now, before it is too late.

1. It was a terrible ordeal for the Jews to fall into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, but “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31). Like an erupting volcano, the wrath of God will be poured out upon the impenitent. What a comfort it is, then, to be able to say with the apostle Paul, “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Tim. 1:12). Do you know this comfort? Why or why not?

2. The “old paths” are not the way of mere tradition but the fundamental truths of revealed religion (Col. 2:6–8). Jeremiah is not bidding us to live in the past, for we are to live in the present where God has placed us (Eccl. 7:10). To be in the “old paths” is to be in Christ and to abide in His Word; it is to walk after the Savior in holiness, meekness, obedience, and self-denial. Such is the way of peace and happiness. 

1. The Temple Sermon is a warning against the danger of external religion without a sincere heart for the Lord. Judah thought that attending the temple and going through all the prescribed rituals would satisfy God. They were like so many today who think that simply going to church is enough. The Lord does not ask for a mere form of godliness. He requires true adoration from a contrite heart and a reverent, humble spirit. When sincerity is absent from the heart, then all religion and worship are a lie.

2. It was a terrible tragedy that Judah’s sin had become so ingrained and widespread that the day of grace was over for them, so that further intercession on their behalf was pointless. God had been patient and longsuffering, but they would not hear His voice and must therefore face His judgment. Oh that the Lord would have mercy on our own generation, for if things continue as they are the day of grace may soon be over! 

1. It is sad that scribes should be rebuked for falsehood and misinterpretation of the law. Those who ought to have rightly instructed the people had failed to do so. They valued their own wisdom too highly. There is an important lesson here for us as Christians. While scholarship can be of great value when it comes from believing hearts that seek to reverence the Lord, it can also become a snare and a danger when scholarship is seen as the supreme authority. How can we give scholarship its rightful place without making an idol of it?

2. It is the greatest of tragedies that the vast majority of people have rejected Christ, the Physician of souls. Yet He alone can heal people from their sins. Let us, therefore, who know the Lord, seek to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to those who are lost and perishing. There is indeed a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul. 

1. Jeremiah is moved to tears over the persistent sin and unbelief of his people. God had reasoned and pleaded with the people through His prophets to turn unto Him, but they would not. As we look around us today, we see the terrible effects of sin and the misery it has caused. However, the greatest tragedy is that the gospel is rejected. Every provision for cleansing and healing is provided in and through Christ, yet the great majority choose to reject and despise the Savior. How do sin and unbelief in your neighbors affect you? Do they move you to great sorrow? Why or why not?

2. Great mischief and trouble come from unbridled tongues (v. 8; James 3:3–12). If a work of grace has taken place in our hearts, then surely we will say with the psalmist, “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips” (Ps. 141:3).

1. The religion of Judah was molded by worldly thought practices. The human race was created to worship God. When He is not worshiped there is a void quickly filled by idols, but idols cannot think, see, hear, speak, or take action. Modern idols, such as celebrities or wealth, are equally helpless. The true follower of Jesus Christ is to reject all idols (1 John 5:21). If we are to escape the vanities of this world we must know God (9:24), which will give us great energy to serve Him (Dan. 11:32).

2. Jeremiah was a man prepared for his trials, yet when the shadow of darkness fell on his life he said, “Woe is me for my hurt! My wound is grievous” (v. 19). He felt the intense agony of it. However, he was nonetheless able to say, “Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it.” Jeremiah was able to quickly compose himself and put aside his personal fear by bowing to the sovereign will of God. How can a Christian prepare himself so that when troubles come he can cast his cares on the Lord (1 Peter 5:7)? 

1. The curse of the law is the fearful destiny of all who disobey God’s covenant (Gal. 3:10). But blessed are all who trust in God’s Son (Ps. 2:12), for Christ redeemed sinners from the law by receiving its curse upon the cross (Gal. 3:13). He paid the penalty to satisfy God’s justice in the shedding of His own precious blood. Therefore there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1).

2. How patient is the love of God! Though the Jews despised His ways, He still calls them “beloved” (v. 15; Rom. 11:28). If this is the case, how patient is He with Jews and Gentiles who belong to Christ, despite their remaining sins and stumbling?

3. Taking a stand for truth can result in hostility. At such times we must trust in the promises of God, as Jeremiah did. Many stumble, because they are fearful of the possible consequences of taking such a stand. Do you have faith that God will keep His promises, or do you grow weak at the thought of opposition? 

1. Jeremiah saw the corrupt worship of God seemingly prospering, while the true faith was making no apparent headway at all. We look at many churches that have corrupted their worship with worldly practices and have watered down the gospel, yet they seem to be growing. We sometimes, like Jeremiah, have difficulty reconciling God’s promises with our own experiences. However, we need to understand that God sees the whole picture, and we do not. The Christian life involves taking up our cross (Matt. 10:38; Acts 14:22) and waiting on the Lord (Ps. 37:7).

2. The grace of God is held out to people of every nation through the gospel, but it also gives a final warning (vv. 16–17). The Lord sets before people life and death. How foolish it is to reject such great salvation, but how blessed we are who trust in Jesus Christ! 

1. The symbolism of the linen girdle provides a tragic picture of the effects of sin. Israel was God’s special people, who enjoyed a unique relationship with Him. Yet against all privilege they transgressed the covenant and defiled themselves, becoming useless to God and deprived of His presence. Jeremiah’s prophecy warns all in the church: those who outwardly enjoy great spiritual privileges must guard against the corruption of the world, lest they become so marred that privilege is replaced with judgment.

2. Sin is as deeply engrained in mankind as the genetics of our skin color. However, whereas God delights in various colors of skin, His wrath is provoked by our sin. How then can anyone be saved from sin and wrath? Reflect upon Titus 3:3–7. 

1. The physical famine Judah faced was but a reflection of the spiritual famine within. Their hearts were hard, dry, and resistant to both plow and seed. So too, when God’s children foolishly harden their hearts, there comes a period of loving chastening that will end only when there is heartfelt repentance (Heb. 12:6; Rev. 3:19). Has God disciplined you? How have you responded?

2. Jeremiah saw the tragedy of all that had happened to his people, and he wanted God to act. Do we ever come to the Lord with such passion? The prophet wept when he saw the state of the people. It grieved him to see them brought so low. Do we have the same concern for people today? Are we moved to tears that many who profess Christ as Lord have become so worldly and have moved so far from their moorings? 

1. There are occasions when even the fervent prayers of a righteous man are not enough (v. 1). God will answer the prayer for blessing upon the church only after there has been true reformation. Before we pray for the church’s prosperity, let us pray for its repentance. And let us repent ourselves before praying for others.

2. The ways of the Lord are hard for us to understand when we have immersed ourselves in the Lord’s work and sought to be faithful, yet all of our labors appear to have achieved nothing except to provoke hostility. We might be tempted to say to ourselves, “Why did I ever bother? Life would have been so much easier if I had done nothing.” How would you counsel a Christian experiencing a situation like that of Jeremiah? 

1. God’s knows every sin committed against Him, and in due season He will use whatever means He chooses to search out sinners and gather them for judgment (vv. 16–18). Have you sought the Lord in repentance? You hide from Him in vain, for even your secret sins are in His plain view (Ps. 90:8; Heb. 4:13). Only the blood of Christ can remove sin from God’s sight. Are you trusting in that blood?

2. The nations will come to the Lord from the ends of the earth (v. 19; Ps. 22:27). The gospel will experience worldwide success. It is a great mercy to us if God has brought home the gospel to our hearts so that we turn from idols to serve the living God (1 Thess. 1:3–10). However, if we have been saved by the gospel we must also join with the church in its mission: “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). What are you doing to help reach the world for Christ? 

1. The human heart is hard like stone and engraved with rebellion against God (v.1). It is hostile to God, leading man to depart from the Lord (v. 5). It is utterly deceitful and wholly untrustworthy; the effects of sin make it incurably malignant, and it is unfathomable (v. 9). Man has no hope of curing his own sin. How then can we have hope (24:7; 31:33)?

2. The contrast between the cursed man and the blessed man (vv. 5–8) emphasizes an essential element about the nature of true faith. While both the cursed man and the blessed man may express the same degree of trust, the vital difference between them is in the object of their faith. The only faith that saves is faith in Christ.

3. One of the first signs of apostasy is the abandonment of the Lord’s Day. We need to come aside from the world and worship the Lord. Keeping the Lord’s Day reveals a longing for Christ to return and affords us a foretaste of heaven, our eternal rest. In the meantime, let us by God’s grace seek to hallow this blessed one day in seven. God promises blessing for those who delight in His day (Isa. 58:13–14). 

1. Every one of us is as clay in the hands of God. God “formed” the body of Adam out of the ground (Gen. 2:7), the same word used by Jeremiah for “potter.” He formed us, and therefore He owns us and has the right to do with us as He wills. It should be our prayer that He will mold us more and more into the image of His Son.

2. Just as Judah dismissed God’s Word as irrelevant, so people today do the same, saying, “We will walk after our own devices” (v. 12). They are so engrossed in themselves that they have no time for God or for His messengers. Even within the professing church there are many who ignore the Word of God on vital issues, preferring the stubbornness of their own hearts. What is the opposite of stubbornly walking in our own plans and desires? How can you cultivate that in your life? 

1. The shedding of the blood of the innocents brought the condemnation of God upon Judah. Sadly, the same atrocity is prevalent today when people sacrifice unborn children on the altar of self. There is very little difference between our day and Jeremiah’s, which teaches a grim lesson to us about the judgment to come.

2. The fierce anger of the Lord, revealed against Judah, will inevitably fall upon all who harden their hearts and refuse to listen to the Word of the Lord. Therefore, it is a great comfort to know that God has provided a way of escape by giving His only begotten Son (John 3:16). The Lord Jesus has stood in the sinner’s place (1 Cor. 15:3), enduring the wrath of God on Calvary’s cross for all His blood-bought people. Do not neglect so great a salvation (Heb. 2:3). Repent and believe. 

1. We would expect Jeremiah to praise God for delivering him from Pashur, but he does not. Instead he starts to imagine the terrible things that could have happened to him. We learn here how subtle is the enemy of our souls. At the very time that Jeremiah should have been depending upon God, he gives in to the weakness of the flesh (1 Kings 19:2– 4). Let us learn that at such times of trial we need to trust in the Lord rather than leaning on our own understanding of the situation (Prov. 3:5–6).

2. The chapter ends with Jeremiah full of self-pity. Sadly, this is a common experience for Christians when we take our eyes off the Lord and focus on our troubles (Job 3:1–13). On the one hand, let us remember that such times of darkness do not disqualify a person from salvation. On the other hand, let us stir ourselves up to take hold of God and cling to His promises when we are in the darkness. Christ was truly forsaken by God in the darkness, bearing the sins of all His elect (Ps. 22:1; Matt. 27:45–46). If we are in Christ, God will never, ever forsake us, even in our darkest times (Heb. 13:5). 

1. There are many like Zedekiah today who refuse to be in subjection to the Lord. Yet when their rebellion brings calamity upon them, they hope that God will get them out of the mess they have created. They do not come in contrition and sorrow for their sins; they merely want to escape the consequences of their sins. Such insincerity only heightens the anger of the Lord against the violators of His law.

2. The Lord said, “I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings” (v. 14). These are fearful and sobering words. To rebel against God and reject His message leaves one alone on the day of judgment. God’s justice will be satisfied, and those who refuse to repent are storing up wrath for themselves that will be unleashed on the day of God’s wrath and righteous judgment (Rom. 2:5). Do not fool yourself if you continue unrepentant in your sins; God will not be mocked (Gal. 6:7). 

1. The sins and failures of Judah’s kings are in stark contrast to David’s divinely inspired mandate: that rulers must be just, ruling in the fear of God (2 Sam. 23:2–3). However, even the failure of David’s offspring points to God’s everlasting covenant anticipating David’s greater Son, who would fulfill every qualification (v. 5). Do not hope in human leadership but in Christ, the King of kings.

2. Like father like son is not always true. Josiah set a fine example for Jehoiakim, but Jehoiakim despised his godly home and wise father, foolishly loving outward grandeur rather than inner holiness. As he saw his new palace being built, he no doubt thought to himself how much better his life was than his father’s. The Savior says, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26). 

1. God’s omnipresence and omniscience (vv. 23–34) should bring a perspective of sober clarity to all our lives. All our thoughts and actions are open to the God with whom we have to do (Heb. 4:13). All our troubles and trials are noticed by Him. Do these two attributes of God frighten you? Do they comfort you? Why?

2. To enjoy God’s salvation, we must have Christ as both our King and our righteousness (vv. 5–6). He came to rule as God in justice. To participate in His kingdom you must bow to His divine authority and obey His holy will (Matt. 7:21–23). Yet He also came to give a sinful, guilty people righteousness to stand before God. Your obedience will never be sufficient to atone for your sins or achieve for you acceptance in God’s sight. You must trust entirely in Christ’s work, not your own, and then God will count you as righteous in His sight (Phil. 3:8–9). 

1. Many good people suffer terrible adversity, but God has a purpose that will ultimately work for their good (Rom. 8:28). Indeed, the Lord said of the captives, “I have sent [them] out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good” (v. 5, emphasis added). What may have appeared to be a catastrophe would ultimately be seen as a blessing. We should not, therefore, be overwhelmed when apparent calamity overtakes us. Rather, we should remember captives like Daniel and Ezekiel who served God through it all.

2. Appearances often belie the facts. As the captives were carried away in chains, no doubt many who were left felt a sense of pride and self-esteem over God having chosen them to remain in the Promised Land. Instead of seeing this as a warning to turn away from their wicked practices, they imagined that all was fine with them. They would soon discover that they were under the wrath of God and marked for severe judgment. When we see the wicked prospering, let us not despair (Ps. 73). 

1. The godly king Josiah did all he could to drive idolatry out of Judah. Yet how different was his son, Jehoiakim. Grace is not inherited. The Lord Jesus declares, “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7). This applies just as much to the children of believing parents as it does to any other person. New birth is “not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13).

2. Scripture compares God’s judgment to a cup of wrath and fury that is to be given to sinners (v. 15). Just as believers will drink forever from the fountain of living waters (2:13), delighting in God’s limitless love, so also the wicked and unbelieving will choke forever on the molten fire of God’s righteous anger. This should fill us with wonder at what Christ did to save sinners, when He drank the bitter cup of wrath to the very last drop (Luke 22:42–44). Who can say what it cost Him? 

1. Jeremiah’s exhortation to repent, delivered to the temple worshipers, is a vivid reminder that just going to church has no merit before God. It is possible to be in the most holy of environments, and to go through all the motions of worship, without a sincere heart before God. Many today hear the gospel and profess it to be the Word of God, yet go no further. What are the distinctive marks of truly believing the Word?

2. Jeremiah and Urijah faithfully preached the same message (v. 20), and both of their lives were threatened because of what they preached. In the providence of God Jeremiah was delivered, but Urijah was not. Some who live by faith are delivered from their enemies, and some are killed (Acts 12:1–11; Heb. 11:33–37). We are to be faithful to God and His Word, regardless of the consequences.

3. The rejection of the prophet points to the ultimate rejection of the ideal Prophet, Jesus Christ. How was Jeremiah an imperfect but true picture of Christ? How are the two different? 

1. Zedekiah’s foolish refusal of the Lord’s easy yoke of obedience resulted in divine justice coming heavily upon him. Zedekiah refused to see the truth, and his eyes were put out, and he was shackled in irons, never to be released (39:7; 2 Kings 25:7). Here is a picture of what happens when God gives a person over to a reprobate mind. The Lord Jesus lovingly calls the slaves of Satan to come unto Him and take His easy yoke upon them (Matt. 11:28–30). The reprobate, however, refuse the message of grace and despise God’s salvation. Eventually, all light is taken from them and they perish. Do not resist the light you have been given, or you may end up in total darkness.

2. The contrast between the words of the true and the false prophets was a matter of life and death. False prophecy naturally appeals to us. “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Prov. 14:12). The true Word calls us to humbly surrender to Christ, God’s great Prophet and Servant. Listen to Him! 

1. Jeremiah’s message was one of gloom and hardship. Hananiah’s was upbeat and positive. There can be little doubt which was the more popular. We must not, therefore, be surprised when false religion is more popular than the truth. Liberalism falsely declares what people want to hear: that God is love and that everyone will enjoy heaven. Such lies cause people to live without any regard for their sins, or for the holiness and justice of God. Why should we be so foolish as to ignore God’s Word? “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31).

2. That both the false prophet and the true prophet claimed to have a word from the Lord reminds us of how important it is to “try the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1; cf. 2 Peter 2:1–3). In our day, the key test is conformity to what God has already revealed. We know that God’s Word will never be self-contradictory. We must be like the Bereans, who “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). 

1. Like the exiles of Judah in Babylon, so Christians are exiles in this world (Heb. 11:13; 1 Peter 1:1; 2:11). Our citizenship is in heaven, not here (Phil. 3:20). However, Christians are not to be detached from society but should live in the world in such a way as to set forth the beauty of Christ. We too must seek the peace of our community (v. 7), letting our good works shine before men (Matt. 5:16). How can you do that?

2. As God had plans of peace for the people of Judah in their captivity, so He has plans of peace toward all His people in Christ, though they are still exiles in this world. God is not playing hide and seek with His people. He will not forsake any who genuinely and wholeheartedly seek Him. Christians, therefore, should be people of great optimism, enduring their trials with confident hope. 

1. It is surely the greatest comfort to have a real assurance that the Lord is with us (v. 9). This assuring promise runs throughout Scripture, particularly in times of crisis, or special work in advancing the kingdom: to Jacob (Gen. 28:15), Moses (Ex. 3:12), Joshua (Josh. 1:9), Gideon (Judg. 6:12), and believers today (Matt. 28:20). How blessed we are if our trust is in the Lord! Let this thought be to your continual comfort, for God is the great healer.

2. Judah suffered greatly because they would not obey the Word of the Lord; but God used their suffering to chastise them, with a view of bringing them back to Himself. It is a wonderful assurance to know that though there are times when the Lord chastises His people, it is nonetheless always for our good (Rom. 8:28). How much better it would be to hear God’s Word and avoid His chastisement altogether. May the Lord grant us teachable spirits and the humility to walk in obedience before Him. 

1. The word “love” is often used too casually. “In love” is the common term for those who are attracted to each other. However, when the Lord of glory says, “I have loved thee” to fallen men and women, it is amazing. We tend to love what we consider to be lovable, but God loved His people while they were still sinners, with nothing attractive about them. It is even more amazing that God bound Himself in a covenant commitment to sinners and promised not just to love them but also to win their love for Himself. Take time now and through the day to praise God for His amazing, sovereign grace.

2. Another wonderful statement appears at the end of v. 9: “I am a father to Israel and Ephraim is my firstborn.” Israel had squandered their blessings and gone astray, yet the Lord chastised them to bring them back to Himself. Every child of God is like the prodigal who journeyed far from his father. We lived for ourselves and had no thought of God. Yet the Lord brings sinners back. Does your heart echo the words of repentance (vv. 18–19)? If so, then God rejoices over you as his dear son or daughter (v. 20). 

1. Tests of faith often come in the midst of trials. Jeremiah was shut up in prison when, just as Jerusalem was about to fall, God told him to purchase a field. Yet this command points to God’s promise: that Judah’s captivity would end and that they would return. Jeremiah’s only hope was in God’s Word, but that was enough for him, so he bought the land. Faith often appears beyond reason, but it is never unreasonable. Let us walk by faith in God’s sure Word, even when circumstances seem to be contrary.

2. Jeremiah’s praying after purchasing the property (vv. 16–25) illustrates that prayer arises from and is fueled by faith in the Word. We know and believe that God’s will shall be done, so we pray as Christ taught us, “Thy will be done” (Matt. 6:10). Jeremiah’s prayer focused on God’s perfections (32:17–19) and past acts (vv. 20–23). Why does meditating on God and His works give us power to pray in faith? 

1. Verse 3 is surely one of the great prayer promises in the Bible. The Lord invites— indeed, commands—us to call unto Him, with the assurance that He will answer in ways that exceed our expectations (Eph. 3:20). He is a God who loves to hear and answer prayer. This is a great incentive for us to love Him and call upon Him habitually (Ps. 116:1–2). He does not say “I might” but “I will answer thee.” He will not refuse when we ask aright (Luke 11:9–10).

2. The promises of the Branch (vv. 15–16; 23:5–6) sum up the great gospel truth of justification by the righteousness of Christ alone. He satisfied every demand of the law for us and paid the penalty for our transgression. His name is our only hope of salvation, for His righteousness covers believers with His beauty in God’s sight (Isa. 61:10). We are accepted in the Beloved (Eph. 1:6)! How can that give you joy? 

1. What an insult to Almighty God that these slave owners, having released their slaves with an oath to the Lord, should quickly change their minds when the thought of danger appears to have passed. Sadly, it is often the case that men and women make promises to God when their troubles confront them, yet as soon as there is a respite go back to their sinful lifestyles. There was no true repentance in their lives. Let us be very careful to keep any promise that we make to the Lord.

2. What a contrast there is between these wicked men, who went back on their promise, and the Lord Jesus, who kept His covenant promise even to a bloody death. He came to set free those who were held fast by the chains of sin (Luke 4:16–21). He says of Himself, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). If God did not spare His own Son, how much more can we trust Him to keep His promises? 

There are practical lessons for Christians from the example of the Rechabites. If they kept the command of their father for generations, how much more should we live in sober faithfulness to the commands of God through His prophets and apostles? The Rechabites may have seemed like a poor people to others, living as they did in tents and abstaining from the pleasure of wine, but God blessed them for their faithfulness in an inconsistent and unfaithful generation (34:10–11). May we also be people whose yes means yes, and no means no, a people who cling to the faithfulness of God whose promises are all yes in Jesus Christ—even if it makes us seem poor and deprived to the world. What is one point at which it is hard for you to be faithful and consistent? How can the faithfulness of the Rechabites and the Lord encourage you? 

1. Baruch’s writing of Jeremiah’s prophetic words illustrates the creation of the Bible. The Lord gave the words to Jeremiah (1:5), who faithfully spoke them. Baruch faithfully recorded them in writing. Each step of this process was governed by the Spirit of God so that the product, the Scriptures, is the inspired Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16). When we read the words of the prophets and apostles, we may rest assured that these are the very words of the Lord (vv. 4,6,8,11,27).

2. There are many like Jehoiakim who are determined to destroy God’s Word. Tragically, even those who make an outward profession of belief in Christ often make the greatest efforts to blot out parts of Scripture, whether miracles or moral laws or some teaching they deem to be offensive. Yet such efforts by these enemies of God are ultimately all in vain. God’s Word will triumph. It cannot be destroyed. Let us therefore open our hearts to receive His Word that it may be our constant companion through life. 

1. Zedekiah’s request for prayer reveals a peculiar irony among many who will not listen to God’s Word and pray, yet they will ask true believers to intercede for them during difficult times. Of course, if such people ask us to pray for them we should, because in the providence of God this may lead to their salvation. However, such requests from unbelievers are usually a last resort, highlighting their own spiritual deadness. Sadly, when such prayers are answered these people usually return to their former rejection of God. Let us therefore pray for the circumstances and their souls.

2. Jeremiah was hated because he told the truth. Let us also remember that the gospel will always cause offense to the unbeliever. People do not want to hear that they are sinners (John 3:19–20; 15:18,22). Yet unless they hear what their true state is before God, they will never desire the remedy for their sins. Let us therefore seek to be courageous for the truth and pray that the Lord will bless our labors in the gospel. 

1. Jeremiah, a man of sorrows, typifies the Lord Jesus (Isa. 53:3). It can be said of both that “He came unto his own, and his own received him not” (John 1:11). The princes or court officials called for Jeremiah to be put to death. Likewise, they said of the Lord Jesus, “He is guilty of death” (Matt. 26:66). Zedekiah’s words are reminiscent of what Pilate would later say when prevailed upon to put Jesus to death: “I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it” (Matt. 27:24). Jeremiah’s sinking into the mire is reminiscent of that messianic psalm of David: “I sink in the deep mire, where there is no standing” (Ps. 69:2; cf. vv.15,20; 40:1–2).

2. There are many like Zedekiah who are too proud to repent and to trust in the Lord, even though they see everything collapsing around them. They see the truth of God’s Word coming to pass and they fear for the future, yet they cannot humble themselves before the Lord. The Scripture says, “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” (Isa. 55:6). That day of opportunity will come to an end, as it did for Zedekiah, and then all hope is lost. How are you seeking God now? 

1. The people of Judah did not believe that the wrath of God would come upon them, even when the warning signs were there. There are many people today like this who scoff at Christ’s return to judge the world in holy wrath. Yet we should not be surprised at His coming (see 2 Peter 3:1–4). Let us believe and humble ourselves before the Lord. Let us be watching and waiting in prayer, for the day of wrath will come.

2. There is a great contrast between Zedekiah and Ebed-melech. They heard the same word, but with vastly different responses. Ebed-melech trusted God’s Word and cared for God’s prophet. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord; therefore, God delivered him. By God’s grace, this is what will happen to every believer on the day of judgment. Which would you rather be, a rich king who does not trust the Lord or a servant who places his faith in Him? Why? 

The blessing of much fruit in the midst of destruction reveals the grace of God, a sign that He offered blessings to His people if they would submit to the Babylonians as He had commanded (vv. 9–10,12). As long as we live, God’s judgments are mingled with mercy, calling sinners to submit to His discipline and instruction. Even in the midst of pronouncing judgment after man’s fall, God announced the grace of Christ (Gen. 3:15). Yet His call is hard, just as hard as it was for the Jews to serve the Babylonians. Christ calls us to take our crosses, deny ourselves, and follow Him (Matt. 16:24). 

1. While believers must seek to be as “harmless as doves,” they are also exhorted to be as “wise as serpents” (Matt. 10:16). Gedaliah made a huge error of judgment in his trust of Ishmael. How important it is to have discernment in our dealings with others, especially with those in the world. To trust human nature is to give way to folly. We must always be on our guard against the subtle actions of those who despise the Lord’s ways. What are areas in which you need discernment now? How can you seek it?

2. Ishmael’s eating of bread with Gedaliah under the guise of friendship is suggestive of Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of the Lord Jesus at the Last Supper. However, whereas Gedaliah was ignorant of Ishmael’s intentions, the Lord Jesus was fully aware of Judas’s plot (John 13:21,25–26). Gedaliah’s naive trust allowed the betrayal to succeed and resulted not only in his own death but also in the deaths of many others. However, Christ willingly allowed His betrayal to take place, for His death gives life to all who will trust in Him. 

1. God always requires obedience to His will. The people were right to go to Jeremiah in order to discover God’s will, for he was the prophet from whom the Word of the Lord would be revealed. Their professed commitment to do His will seemed commendable (v. 6) but ultimately proved hypocritical, for when His will was declared they did not want to hear, because it was contrary to their own plans. Too often, even professing Christians tend to be selective in their obedience, thus revealing that they sometimes prefer their own desires to God’s will. We must believe that the Lord’s way is always best, even when it seems to go against what we may perceive to be better (Prov. 3:5).

2. The Jews’ desire to return to Egypt is equivalent to Christians wanting to go back into the world; it is to forget the powerful blood of Christ and that the believer is separated from this vain and passing world. Let us never lose sight of the blessedness we have in Christ; neither should we ever doubt that God always knows what is best for us. May we therefore always seek to be obedient to His Word. 

1. Hebrews 1:1 mentions various ways in which God communicated through His prophets. This chapter reveals two of them: first, through the prophet’s preaching, and second, through his symbolic actions, such as burying the stones. This portrayed the message in a way that should have been easy for all to understand. It was gracious of God to reinforce His Word in this way, but it also left them without excuse. The Bible presents Christ to us in many ways in order to make Him clear; we have no excuse for not trusting and following Him.

2. The safe haven Israel hoped to find proved anything but secure, and their folly provides us with a cautionary tale. It is utter foolishness to go against the revealed will of God. This Jewish remnant knew what He required of them. Yet they proved to be more fearful of man than of God; hence, they made a fateful mistake (Prov. 14:12). The safest place on earth is the place of obedience to God’s will (Ps. 37:3–6). 

1. The Jewish exiles in Egypt failed to have teachable spirits. They had witnessed the calamity God had inflicted upon Jerusalem because of their idolatry. Their previous worship of the queen of heaven had caused God to make their land “a desolation” (v. 22). However, their hearts were so hardened they would not learn the lesson. Their repeated refusal to repent led into spiritual stupidity and dullness. The vast majority of those who fled to Egypt would never return. They would be “consumed by the sword and by the famine” (v. 27). Therefore, let us be quick to repent as soon as God’s Word reveals our sin, lest we too fall into hardness and then destruction.

2. Even in judgment, God spared some in mercy. He says, “Yet a small number that escape the sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah” (v. 28). This blessed thought should never cause us to be presumptuous; rather, it should spur us on to desire a life of righteousness and obedience unto Him. 

Baruch faithfully recorded Jeremiah’s message of doom and destruction; nevertheless, his response was inappropriate. While not disagreeing with the prophecy, he seems to have grieved that the judgment of the nation would take away the great things he sought for himself. Self-seeking and self-pity only bring distress. Christians sometimes hope that God will hold back His judgment of the world until all their earthly goals have been achieved. This special word to Baruch teaches us that if believers would know real peace they must submit unreservedly to the will of God and rejoice to know that their own persons will be saved from the wrath of God. 

1. God used Babylon as an instrument to accomplish His will (v. 26). Let us remember that the events of our era are also still under His control. If we hear of wars, nations rising against nations, and other disasters, we must not view them merely as the results of human factors. The Lord reigns, and His people can rejoice that all things serve for His glory and their good.

2. The principal application Jeremiah draws from the coming judgment on Egypt is directed toward Judah (vv. 27–28). They had foolishly trusted in Egypt (v. 25), but the Lord of glory called them to trust in Him alone (Isa. 30:1–3; 31:1–5). How might you be tempted to trust in yourself or other people? How can you make the Lord alone your hope in all things? 

The Philistines had been a thorn in Israel’s side since the times of the judges. On occasions Israel was able to subdue them (e.g., Samson and David), yet they persisted as enemies of God’s people. The Lord’s judgment may sometimes be slow in coming, but it will come. It is a most wonderful attribute of God that He is slow to anger. In mercy He grants time for repentance (Rom. 2:4), but when that repentance does not come His patience gives way to judgment. That time had now come for Philistia. If you do not know the Lord, then seek Him while He may be found. 

1. The Lord judges the nations for their sins. God named three reasons why He destroyed Moab. First, they trusted in their strength, riches, and false gods instead of trusting in Him (vv. 7,13). Second, they were proud and arrogant instead of humble before Him (vv. 26,29). Third, they mocked at Israel instead of having compassion for the people of the Lord (v. 27). How are these sins evident in your own nation? What does this text say to your people today?

2. The Lord shows wonderful mercy to undeserving sinners! Even the remnant of Moab shall return (v. 47). God humbled those who had puffed themselves up in arrogance against Him, but then He set them free. Though the Lord is a God of wrath, still He delights in mercy. If God has humbled you for your sins, be encouraged to return to Him through Jesus Christ. He is a gracious God, quick to bless all who repent. 

When God judges the nations, He announces hope for some, but not for all. Why does the Lord show mercy to Egypt (46:26), Moab (48:47), Ammon (49:6), and Elam (v. 39) but not to Philistia, Edom, Damascus, Kedar, and Hazor? Here we come to the mystery of God’s grace. God chose Jacob for mercy, but not Esau (Rom. 9:10–16). There were two thieves crucified with Christ at Calvary, but only one was convicted of his sins and turned to Christ in humility and hope (Luke 23:39–43). On the one hand, this teaches us not to despair, for God has grace for His enemies. On the other hand, it warns us not to presume upon His grace, for the Lord saves only some. Let us humbly and earnestly seek God’s grace, trusting in His promise to save all who come to Him. 

1. Jeremiah gives us a wonderful picture of conversion (v. 4). In the mercy and providence of Almighty God, He brings about true contrition in the hearts of His people. They weep over their sins and return not simply to their land but to their God. Conversion is not a movement of the body but a motion of the heart, turning away from sin in humility, brokenness, and grief and turning to the Lord in desire and hope (Matt. 5:3–6; James 4:8–10).

2. God’s judgment of Babylon gives occasion to reflect upon the mysterious relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Although men often tend to deny one to support the other, Scripture always unites them. God used Babylon to inflict judgment upon His people, and then He judged Babylon for their sins in doing so. Babylon, while being God’s instrument, acted without reference to Him, transgressing His laws in the process. What lessons do these twin truths teach us? 

1. Poetic justice characterized Babylon’s judgment (v. 49). Just as they had done to others, so it would be done to them. The prospect of receiving from God what we justly deserve is a terrifying thought. Outside of Christ it is the certain consequence of sin (Gal. 6:7–8). The beauty of the gospel is that Christ took what we deserve (our condemnation) so that we might receive what He deserves (His righteousness, 2 Cor. 5:21). This should be a pressing motive to flee to Christ as the only hope for life.

2. Living with sin all around us can affect our spiritual vitality. It was not easy to remember Jerusalem when the Jews saw the splendor of Babylon. It is easy today for Christians to be enticed by earthly ambition and pleasure. We are not to love the things of this world, because they are destined to pass away just like Babylon (1 John 2:15– 17). It is much better to set our affections on things above (Col. 3:1–2). 

1. The events of Jerusalem’s destruction confirm what God assured Jeremiah at the start of His ministry: “I will hasten my word to perform it” (1:12). Every part of Jeremiah’s hard prophecy of judgment was fulfilled in his day, giving confidence that the glorious and hopeful elements would also be fulfilled, as they were in the coming of Christ, the righteous Branch (23:5–6; 33:15–16). Seeing prophecy fulfilled is wonderfully encouraging, and it energizes our faith. All of God’s promises will just as certainly come to pass: “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20).

2. Jehoiachin’s preservation served God’s redemptive purpose for when Christ would come. There needed to be a royal line of the seed of David in order for Christ to be his greater son and thereby display all the fullness of God’s grace. When everything seemed hopeless, the Lord did not forget His promises, all of which are yea (yes) and amen in Christ (2 Cor. 1:20). Hoping in God’s providences and promises means hoping in Jesus Christ, for they all revolve around Him. How has reading Jeremiah encouraged you to hope in Jesus Christ, and Him alone?