The Writings of Jeremiah

Imagine how different your life would be if you were a son of a priest and your early childhood was shaped by strong religious influences?

Because of Jeremiah’s upbringing, he knew that God’s hand was on his life. He knew that before he was even born God, had appointed him as his prophet. When Jeremiah was just a young man God spoke to him and told him not to be afraid or worried about his youth or his inexperience. God touched Jeremiah’s mouth and promised him that he would give him all the words he would need to speak to people on God’s behalf.

Jeremiah lived alone during the 40 years that he was a prophet for God.   Jeremiah was rejected by his family and his main enemies were actually the Israelite priests and prophets.  They threatened his life, had him beaten and imprisoned.  Jeremiah’s life went from a life of confident faith to times of despair, when he even cursed the day he was born. Jeremiah prophesised to peple of Israel, warning them of their sin of idolatry, pride and disobedience. Jeremiah called them to repent and turn back to relationship with their God. He also warned them of God’s coming judgements for their sin. Jeremiah felt heartbroken. He was so sad that he wept for his people’s sinfulness. He knew that God would discipline them because the people took no notice of all his warnings and they continued in their unbelief, immorality, rebellion and wickedness.  Jeremiah seemed to be fighting a losing battle.  No one listened to him.  The people would not turn from their sins.  They would not take God’s warnings seriously.  Even when life got hard for them and they were taken as prisoners by other nations, they still would not repent.  

Jeremiah also taught the people how to live, especially after they were captured and taken to Babylon.  The people had to decide how to live in a world that did not know God. Some prophets said they should remove themselves? Some prophets said they should blend in?  But Jeremiah taught Israelites, people like Daniel, that they should work in Babylon to see God’s Kingdom established.  That if they sought the peace and prosperity of the city, God would honor and bless them. Jeremiah helped to shape much of how the Jews determined to live in a non-Jewish world.

Jeremiah had an unusual way of teaching the people what God wanted them to know.  When you read Jeremiah’s writings, sometimes they can seem abstract.  That is because Jeremiah used props and objects in his teaching to help the people understand.  In one example, Jeremiah wore a rotten item of clothing to teach that sin causes things to rot and decay.  Jeremiah also put a load on his neck to teach that sin is like a heavy weight on us.  In another example Jeremiah bought a field and buried the property documents to give his people hope that one day they would return from slavery and own land again. Another message describes a scene where Jeremiah goes to a potter’s house.  The potter was making a clay pot and it cracked so the potter formed it into a new pot.  Just like in his own story, Jeremiah allowed God to shape him in the same way that potters shape pottery into whatever form they want.   As you read Jeremiah’s book, it is clear that Jeremiah wants his readers to know that God is the master potter and wants to mould and shape his people. 

Can you imagine how discouraged Jeremiah would have felt?   You might think that Jeremiah would have given up and quit on his people.  But he didn’t.  As long as God would not quit on the people, Jeremiah too would not quit.  He obeyed God.  He allowed God to guide him.  Jeremiah learned to wait on God and trust him for the outcome. He was able to do this because he believed in God’s promises.