When Jeremiah was called to his prophetic ministry, he was appointed “over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant” (1:10). In chapter 47, Jeremiah delivers a message of destruction to…
Category: Jeremiah
Tuesdays with Jeremiah (Chapter 46)
Chapter 46 begins a lengthy section of the book in which we see Jeremiah living out his original calling to be a prophet “over nations and kingdoms” (1:10). While the primary recipients of his prophetic messages were the kings, leaders,…
Tuesdays with Jeremiah (Chapter 45)
Chapter 45 is one of the most intriguing chapters in the entire book. It is by far the shortest chapter in the book—only five verses long. It is intentionally not in chronological order. The previous six chapters describe the fall…
Tuesdays with Jeremiah (Chapter 44)
After the Jewish remnant defiantly disobeys the Lord’s message by leaving the Promised Land and settling in Egypt, the Lord sends another message through Jeremiah to them. This message along with their response is recorded in some detail in chapter…
Tuesdays with Jeremiah (Chapter 43)
This chapter begins as Jeremiah finishes doing what the Jewish remnant had asked him to do—reporting to them the word from the Lord about where they should go and what they should do (42:3). The opening verse of chapter 43…
Tuesdays with Jeremiah (Chapter 42)
Chapter 42 continues the story line that began in 40:7 and runs through the end of chapter 43. Where most of the longer narrative is filled with action and movement (assassination, battle, journey), chapter 42 stands still and records part…
Tuesdays with Jeremiah (Chapter 41)
This chapter continues to chronicle the political and spiritual collapse of the Jewish remnant left in the land after the fall of Jerusalem. Seven months into Gedaliah’s governorship, Ishmael returns to meet with Gedaliah. Ishmael, who is almost always referred…
Tuesdays with Jeremiah (Chapter 39)
This is the first of two recounting of the fall of Jerusalem; the final chapter in the book (52) gives a more detailed version of the same events. Chapter 39 tells the grim news in chronological sequence with the surrounding…
Tuesdays with Jeremiah (Chapter 38)
Chapter 38 continues the narrative begun in the previous chapter by telling us what transpired after Jeremiah was accused of desertion and imprisoned in the courtyard of the guard. Things go from bad to worse for Jeremiah and for king…
Tuesdays with Jeremiah (Chapter 37)
Beginning with chapter 37 and continuing through chapter 44, we read the account of Jeremiah’s life and ministry during the siege of Jerusalem, the destruction of the city, the ensuing chaos and eventual flight to Egypt by the Jews who…