Jeremiah: The Man and His Message

Jeremiah A great prophet of Israel (Matt 16:13-14) “Jehovah is High” or “Exalted of God” Born a priest and called by God to be a prophet, Jer 1:1, 4-5 Active in Jerusalem (627-586 BC) then Egypt

Jeremiah A treacherous time in Judah Conspiracy, injustice, idolatry, immorality, personal indulgence, luxury and oppression of the poor God sent Jeremiah to announce His judgments against His people, Jer 1:16 Jeremiah teaches us tremendous lessons in the face of trials, Jas 1:2-4

Jeremiah the Man A Man of Faith Forsook marriage and common social interaction at God’s direction, Jer 16:1-9 When Jerusalem was besieged he bought a field, showing his faith that God would again bless the land, 32:6-7, 9, 14-15 He saw beyond the exile to restoration to the land, 31:23-28 Ultimately, a new covenant of forgiveness, 31:31-34

Jeremiah the Man We must stand in faith “By faith you stand”, 2 Cor 1:24 Stand fast in the faith, 1 Cor 16:13 Stand with God’s armor, Eph 6:13 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Rom 8:31

Jeremiah the Man A Gentle Man, Jer 11:19-20 Pity and sorrow over Judah because of her sins, 8:18-20; 23:9 Pain for his people while speaking God’s judgments, 4:19; 8:21-22; 13:15-17 We need gentleness when dealing with sinners and their sin, Matt 5:5, 7; Gal 6:1; 2 Tim 2:24-26

Jeremiah the Man A Courageous Man, Jer 1:18; 18:18-20 Threatened with death, mocked and imprisoned, 26:8-9, 11 (16-19); 38:2-6 Accused of being a… Traitor, 37:13-15 False prophet & troublemaker, 29:24-29 Courageous because God was with him, 1:19; 20:11-13

Jeremiah the Man We need to be courageous In the face of temptations, 1 Cor 10:13 In the face of false charges, Acts 6:8-15 In the face of enemies of the cross, Eph 6:10-12 God is with us! Heb 13:5-6

Jeremiah the Prophet His Message, Jer 1:10 Denounce sin and announce judgment (God’s wrath), 1:16; 16:10-13 Assure a future restoration (God’s mercy), 46:27-28; 29:10 Principle is true today, 2 Tim 4:2-4; Rom 2:1-4; 11:22

Jeremiah the Prophet His Manner, Jer 1:17-19 Urgent, 20:7-9 (2 Tim 4:2) Decisive, 37:16-17 (Acts 24:24-27) Consistent (1 Tim 4:16) God’s servant today, 2 Tim 2:24-26; 3:16-17; 4:1-5

Jeremiah and Jesus Jesus Jeremiah Prophet and priest (1:1, 5) Personal sorrow (15:10, 18) Wept over sins (9:1) The Prophet and High Priest (Acts 3: 22; Heb 3:1) Man of Sorrows (Isa 53:3) Wept over Jerusalem (Lk 19:41)

Jeremiah and Jesus Jesus Jeremiah Despised and rejected (20:10) Sacrifice (16:1-9) Intercession (18:20) Spoke truth without reservation (20:7-9; 42:4) Despised and rejected (Isa 53:3) Sacrifice (Heb 10:12) Intercession (Heb 7:25) Spoke truth without reservation (Jno 12:49)

Jeremiah “Jeremiah’s harsh message of judgment delivered with tears never won a convert. Such a message was not only unwelcome to the nation whose 70 years’ captivity Jeremiah predicted, but totally rejected by a backsliding people. Yet ‘the grandeur of his character appears in his fearlessness and faithfulness and passion for souls. He faced misrepresentation, persecution, the dungeon and death, rather than keep back one word of truth.’” Lockyer, All the Books and Chapters of the Bible, 177