Jeremiah had been serving for twenty-three years when he delivered the messages recorded in chapters 25 and 26 (25:3; 26:1). He was called into prophetic service in the year 626 BC (1:2) and continued to minister after the fall of Jerusalem in 587 BC, a period of over forty years. He was now at the midpoint of his career. – Wiersbe
Jer 25 All in Due Time
1-11 Judgment on Judah
Now 605 BC. After his 23 years, plus all prophets. “Not listened.”
First mention: 70 years. 29:10; 2 Chr 36:21; Dan 9:2; Zech 7:5
12-14 Judgment on Babylon
15-38 Judgment on the Nations: Eight Images
15-29 The cup of wrath 30a, 38 The roaring lion
30b The winepress 31 The lawsuit
32-33 The storm 33 The refuse
34 The broken pottery 34-38 The slaughtered flock
Jer 26 Bringing Down the House
1-6 Threat From Jeremiah: the Temple and the City
609 B.C. Before 25:1 and 24:1. Compare “Temple Sermon” in Jer 7.
7-15 Threat Against Jeremiah: Priests, Prophets, People
“You must die!” Politically incorrect preaching! No free speech!
Response: “Do what you will! It won’t change what’s coming!”
16-24 Turn Toward Jeremiah: Release From Execution
Reasons for Jeremiah’s release:
[1] He spoke the truth. [2] There was a precedent: Micah, Hezekiah (715-686 BC).
[3] In that case, Hezekiah and Judah repented and were spared.
[4] Uriah’s case was different. He had fled illegally. He died.
[5] Ahikam supported Jeremiah.
Jer 27 The Yoke’s on You
Yet another unforgettable acted-out sermon.
Zedekiah (last king) conferred with rep’s of 5 nations (Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, Sidon) re: dealing with Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.
Jeremiah put straps and yoke-bars on his neck.
Yahweh called Nebuchadnezzar, “My servant.” “I have given him these lands that are all under My control …”
“All the nations will serve him. Put yourselves under his yoke.”
False prophets: “Do not serve Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar will return the treasures that he took from the temple. Everything’s fine!”
Jer 28 And That’s No Yoke!
False Hananiah: “Thus says Yahweh, ‘I have broken the yoke.’ All the treasures, King Jeconiah, and all the exiles – home within 2 years!”
Jeremiah: “True prophets preach hard truth re: judgment! If you only preach peace, we’ll believe you only when it happens!”
Hananiah takes Jeremiah’s yoke-bars and breaks them.
Jeremiah simply walks away.
Yahweh: “Thanks to Hananiah, the yoke-bars will now be iron!”
“I will remove Hananiah for preaching rebellion.”
He dies later that same year.
Jer 29 “Dear Exiles …”
Jeremiah writes those deported to Babylon in 597 BC. Cf 29:2.
Encouragement re: Faithful Living in a Foreign Land
Settle down long-term, raise families, and seek the city’s welfare.
(As we are to do during our “exile” here. 1 Pet 1:1; 17; 2:11 (ESV)).
Ignore the false prophets, who preach just the opposite.
After 70 years, you will return! “I know the plans I have for you.”
Warning re: False Prophets in Babylon
Ahab and Zedekiah to be roasted in the fire and become a proverb.
Shemaiah’s letter: “Imprison Jeremiah as a madman!”
Preachers, preach truth!
Jer 30 Redemption: a New Beginning
Note: Jer 30-34 is called the “Book of Consolation,” like Isa 40-66.
1-3 The written word
4-11 The broken yoke
12-17 The healed wound
18-24 The calmed storm
Jer 31 Revival: a New Covenant
Return from exile: “Again I will build you, and you shall be built!”
“You will plant vineyards, go up to Zion, sing, and give praise!”
31:15 A reminder of the bitterness of the Babylonian siege.
Matt 2:17-18 Sees Herod’s slaughter in Bethlehem as “fulfillment.”
Of course, the New Covenant is ultimately the New Testament, given through Christ and initiated by His sacrifice. Heb 8:8-13
It is for all people, for all time. It made the Old “obsolete.”
But initially, Yahweh also promised a “new (renewed) covenant” just with Israel and Judah (Jer 31:31, 33), after the time of exile.
We call this a “double fulfillment” or “telescoping.”
Jer 32 Recommitment: a New Land
1-15 Yahweh has Jeremiah Buy a Field.
587 BC. On the brink of exile. Jeremiah in prison. Yet he buys a field from his cousin Hanamel! Visual aid. Judah will return! Note Baruch.
16-25 Jeremiah Asks Yahweh, “Why?”
“Siege mounds. Swords, famine, and pestilence. And yet … Why?”
26-35 Yahweh Explains: First Exile, Penalty for Sin
36-44 Yahweh Explains: Then Return, Blessing of Grace
“I will be their God; they shall be My people. I will give them one heart and one way … make an everlasting covenant … with all My heart and all My soul … Fields will again be bought!”
Jer 33 Restoration: a New Administration
1-13 Yahweh: “I Will Restore Their Fortunes!”
“I will heal them and reveal abundance of prosperity and security.”
“I will cleanse them from all guilt, forgive them of all sin.”
Weddings. Worship. OT thank offerings in His house (new temple).
14-26 Yahweh: “I Will Fulfill My Covenant with David!”
15 “… I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth.”
The Branch: cf. Jer 23:5-6; Isa 11:1-5.
Ultimately refers of course to the Messiah, “Son of David.” Matt 21:9
