Jeremiah and Lamentations

Jeremiah and Lamentations Homework 

1. What do you see in this book that tells you about the Original Reader?

When reading the prophets it is important to note that there are two original audiences: the people that heard it as it was being proclaimed and those that read it after it had been compiled. Jeremiah’s prophesies spanned about 40 years and over the time of five kings, so it is important to consider both. 

Jeremiah prophesied from Josiah’s reign over Judah until the exile to Babylon, about 627-560 BC. When Jeremiah began prophesying during Josiah’s reign, the people were going through a spiritual reform, only perhaps simply on the surface and in appearance. Through the years the people began to decline and fall back into the depths of their idol worship. As they heard Jeremiah’s message, they scoffed simply because the depths of their depravity made them feel as if their idol worship wasn’t even sin any more (36:23-24). Nothing was heard and they even tried to kill him (37:15-16). 

For this reason, the prophesies of Jeremiah were documented (30:2-3). The people in exile needed to be able and look back upon the warnings and their sins. They would have been asking questions and would be in fear of losing their identity. So God wrote it out good and plain for them to remember.

2. What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

Jeremiah was young when he was first called (1:6) and came from a city of priests (1:1). His exact age is unknown, but we know that you must be 30 to enter into your priestly duties. Whether or not God called him before this is uncertain. However, we get a tremendous look into the character of Jeremiah through this book.

Much like Moses, Jeremiah did not feel qualified for this calling (1:6). But we see God reach out his own hand in comfort to encourage Jeremiah in his call (1:9-10). I think God knew that this was a very important moment for him- the call on Jeremiah was going to be severely difficult. Jeremiah needed that personal touch by God to look back on and remember, to know he was sent by the Lord. God was saying “Jeremiah I’ve planned this for a long time. I planned on you for a long time. I’ve called you and put my own words in your mouth, but you need to be ready cause no one is going to listen. It’s going to be you against the world, but you will walk in my strength. I’ve brought you to this place and I’m going to walk with you.” (1:4-19)

Jeremiah endures more than one man ever should in a lifetime. He gives up family, modesty, and any social standings he might have had to proclaim the Lord’s destruction and be hated by all (37:15- 38:6) . Yet deep within his heart, Jeremiah takes the burden of his people upon himself. We see through the book of Lamentations the true heart break that comes with the fall and blackened hearts of Judah (Lam 3:48). In proclaiming the heart of God to the people, Jeremiah in turn takes it upon himself and grieves as the Lord grieves. (2:13) 

3. What are the main themes and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one sentence summary of the main idea?

God was warning his people through every king and at every chance they had, to turn from their sins. The Lord speaks out against sexually immorality (5:7-9), social injustice (5:26-29), and two facedness (9:4-9). He speaks against false prophets and those who promise peace where there is none (8:10-12). He speaks against their fake pretenses in their walk with Him (3:6-11) and most of all, their deep disgusting idol worship (7:31-32, 19:5). The book of Jeremiah is warning after warning for the people to mend their ways, turn to God, and he will invite them in with open arms. 

Jeremiah is a book of the Lord’s warning, judgement, and chance of mercy that was forsaken and traded away for sin, leading the people into destruction in the end.

4. What is the primary reason this book was written?

We actually get the rare chance to see exactly when and why the book was written within the text (36:2-3). The original reader would have been the people of Judah after they had fallen into exile in Babylon.They were now able to read each of Jeremiah’s prophesies and perhaps would have realized two things. The first would show them what went wrong. They were able to look and see the sin, where they rejected the Lord, and to turn back. There was no excuse for them anymore - it’s documented perfectly for them right in that book. Secondly, it would instill not only grief, but hope for the people. All of the prophesies of destruction came true exactly as it was proclaim, therefore they could trust in the prophesy of hope as well (33:10-11). They will be lead out of exile.

God was wanting to keep the people from losing their identity through this exile much like they did in Egypt. He wanted them to know their story of how they got to this place through disowning the Lord. However, they are also reminded of how he had offered mercy and still does. 

5. What does this book show about the Character and Nature of God?

God is so personal. He’s so personal in the way he calls Jeremiah because he knows that he is going to need that (1:4-8). Through the journey, Jeremiah is so open with God about his frustrations and hardships (20:18) and the Lord is there to walk him through it. He is quick to tell him “I told you this would happen, but you HAVE to be strong.” (11:18-12:6)

Through the book of Jeremiah, we see so clearly that God is just. It’s easy to look at this book and wonder why God would bring so much destruction on his own people, but we must understand that this is his nature and character (9:4-9). It is the people themselves that brought it upon them. Because like his nature to be just, God’s character is that he is good (31:20). He offered mercy and hope and redemption. That was Jeremiah’s purpose. Turn back from your sin and God will redeem his people! But they refused. Peace and sin cannot dwell among each other. God is just and God is good. There is no separating these from each other. 

6. What does this book show you about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

All throughout Jeremiah, we read of the deep deep depravity of the people. They are sinning in every way possible, even sacrificing their children to Molech. God himself says that these thoughts never even entered his mind. It is for this reason that God MUST bring judgement. It’s his nature. Yet through it all, he longs for mercy. God promises that this is not the end for his people and that they will be brought out of exile to flourish if only they will turn towards Him. (31:31-34) He says “ Is not Israel still my son, my darling child? I often have to punish him, but I still love him. That’s why I long for him and surly will have mercy on him.” (31:20)

7. Personal Application

Was Jeremiah Successful?

This question and discussion in class meant so much to me. In the people’s eyes at the time, he wasn’t. In our modern day eyes, we wouldn’t think so either. But to God, he was. Jeremiah suffered long and hard. The people didn’t listen, instead they tried to kill him in any way they could. Yet he persevered for one reason. 

He was devoted to God. 

And for his obedience, God is so proud of him. He was put in place for a purpose - to act as a warning for the people of Judah and he obeyed God in every way that he was commanded. This is success. 

Being here in Kona has shaken me in ways I can’t describe. We though that it was going to be our jumping off point for our ministry, but now we know that after this, it’s time to go home and reevaluate so many things. And that’s ok. That’s God’s plan. He’s shown us so many things, changed many perspectives, changed priorities. He’s shaken us up and brought us closer through the process. Yet I feel so weak. I feel like weakest I’ve ever been. And in times it’s as if God has been the most distant that I’ve ever felt. That’s not supposed to be the way things are here- at least, not what we expected.

I think about going home to our supporters. We had such high hopes for when we left in September. And people had high hopes for us. We’re ok with where we are, but will everyone back home? Or will they look at us as failures for even being home and wonder what their money went to?

My dad sent me a quote this week. It said “ When God calls you somewhere, he often leads you to do something in that place far different than your plan.” My response was “Can I get an Amen?”

“But my prayer God, is that you give me strength in the fact that YOU see us as successful because there was so much that you wanted to teach us in this time. I know that in others eyes we may not be seen that way. Not everyone, but some. And that’s hard for me to consider. But let me stand firm, like Jeremiah, in knowing that you see us as obedient. And God... It would be so great to have that picture like Jeremiah when you called him. To be able to look back at that moment to hold on to to know that we’re in the right place. I am envious of that... But through it all, through the struggle and hard times, even through persecution if that comes, let us stand firm in knowing that you are good and you are for us. And like the people, when we stray, you’re happy and ready to bring us back when we turn back to you.”

8. Point of Passion 

Once again we see such a picture of God’s heart as a father for his children and this is what should be modeled in the family today. In Jeremiah 31:20&22, God says “Is not Israel still my son, my darling child? I often have to punish him, but I still love him. That’s why I long for him and surely will have mercy on him... How long will you wander my wayward daughter? For the Lord will cause something new to happen- Israel will embrace her God.” 

What an incredible image and picture of our love for our children. How far is too far? What is the line that is crossed where our forgiveness and love will not reach? Or should it be modeled after the Lord? Through every detestable act, although he did not relinquish justice, he also provided and welcomed mercy and repentance. It’s never too much to forgive when true repentance takes place. However, discipline must be ensued as well. It’s a balance that can be found only in looking towards the character of our Heavenly Father.