Jeremiah 52

The final chapter of Jeremiah is a recap of the fall of Jerusalem. 

"King Zedekiah did evil in the sight of the Lord"; therefore, "[the LORD] cast him out from His presence." The king of Babylon broke through the walls of Jerusalem and King Zedekiah fled, but was captured. The Chaldean army killed the princes, Zedekiah's sons, and then put out the king's eyes, took him to Babylon in fetters, and put him in prison until he died. Then they plundered and burned the temple and Jerusalem, and took a total of 4,600 people captive.

Lastly, Jehoiachin was released from prison and treated kindly until his death in Babylon. 

COMMENTARY

Again, this is a wrap up of the prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem. What Jeremiah prophesied, could now be accepted as history. 

Jeremiah also filled in what happened to Jehoiachin after he had been captured and imprisoned in Babylon. He died there, underscoring that no king from the family line of Salomon would sit on the throne of David; but another line -- of Nathan -- would provide the One who has claim to the throne of David: Jesus Christ!

AMEN!!

 

Jeremiah 51

 A continuation from Jeremiah 50: more prophecy about the "sudden" destruction of Babylon. 

Babylon was a golden cup in the LORD's hand, that made all the earth drunk. The nations drank her wine; therefore the nations are deranged. Babylon has suddenly fallen and been destroyed. 

This was the LORD'S plan: "...both devised and done..." No one can escape His almighty power. He is Creator God, which He demonstrates in verses 15-16. 

He has made the earth by His power; He has established the world by His wisdom, and stretched out the heaven by His understanding. When He utters His voice -- there is a multitude of waters in the heavens: He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He makes lightnings for the rain; He brings the wind out of His treasuries. 

He is the Maker of all things; And Israel is the tribe of His inheritance.

He referred to Cyrus of Persia as "His battle-ax and weapon of war," whom He used to take down Babylon. 

After Jeremiah wrote down God's words, he gave the book to Seraiah to read to the captives in Babylon. 

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Jeremiah 50

The word of the LORD by Jeremiah said: "Declare...proclaim -- do not conceal -- Babylon is taken, Bel is shamed. Merodach is broken...; her idols are humiliated...for out of the north a nation comes up against her, which shall make her land desolate, and no one shall dwell therein."

And yet, good news!!!

In those days and in that time, the children of Israel shall come...and Judah together; with continual weeping they shall come and seek the LORD their God...in perpetual covenant that will not be forgotten. 

My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray...they have forgotten their resting place. All who found them have devoured them...because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, the LORD, the hope of their fathers. 

Israel and Judah will seek the LORD and they will follow a never-changing covenant forever. 

Meanwhile, the LORD will cause nations to come up against Babylon and the Chaldeans; they will be plundered. The land will be uninhabited, "a dry land and a desert." 

The LORD promised: 

I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, as I have punished the king of Assyria. But I will bring back Israel to his home...his soul shall be satisfied...in those days and in that time, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought, but there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, but they shall not be found; for I will pardon those whom I preserve. 

And again:

Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is His name. He will thoroughly plead their case, that He may give rest to the land...

By the way, this is both prophecy fulfilled and prophecy to come. It was Cyrus and the Medo-Persians "from the north" who put an end to the Chaldeans of Babylon (539 B.C.); but there is a future promise yet to be completed against Babylon (see Revelation), far worse than Cyrus. And Israel still has not lived in peace with the LORD their God or is at rest in the land. That time is still future. Be ready.

COMMENTARY

At this time, it may have seemed that all was lost for Israel and Judah as a nation and people, and that  Babylon should rule forever. But that was not the very clear message Jeremiah had. Let us just say: the LORD compared the destruction of Babylon to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. And His message for Israel and Judah was not only that they would return to the land, but they would seek the LORD their God, and when anyone seeks the LORD, they will find Him and have rest forever. 

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Jeremiah 49

While the LORD was handing out prophecies about Egypt, this chapter included prophecies about other  surrounding nations. 

First was Ammon. The Ammonites descended from Lot, and they lived north of Moab. They worshipped Milcham or Molech. The people trusted in their treasures. According to Jeremiah's prophecies, Ammon would be burned and become desolate. However, the LORD promised to "bring back the captives of the people of Ammon."

Next was Edom, descendants of Esau. Their prophecy is not as promising because not only will calamity be brought upon them and the descendants plundered, but there shall be no males left to protect the women and children. Edom will be despised among the nations, an astonishment, and no one shall remain there. They mighty men shall become like women in labor. And, no, there is no future for Edom. 

Following Edom was Damascus, which is Syria's capital today. Nebuchadnezzar conquered Damascus in 605 BC. 

Next were two cities, Kedar and Hazor, located in the Arabian desert, conquered by Nebuchadnezzar in 599/98 BC. 

Finally, Elam, east of Babylon, later was to come under Persian control. Again, the LORD warned Elam of its calamity, but promised in latter days to bring back its captives. Some Elamites were among the men who were present during Pentecost. But this promise may also have End Times implications as well. 

COMMENTARY

To retrace our steps: the remnant in Judah disobeyed God and sought a place of safety and provision. They left Judah, which was a rubble waste, and trekked down to Egypt. The LORD warned them because He was also in the process of punishing surrounding nations for their idol worship and pride. The remnant should have remained in Judah and cleaned up the place, while technically being under the care and protection of Babylon. 

However, the LORD brought Nebuchadnezzar to Egypt, and the people ended up suffering again. 

As per McGee: "When our attitudes and actions and goals are not based on a desire to live for God, when God's truth is no longer our guide, we have sunk to a low level which won't bring peace or plenty. History has great lessons to teach us if we will but listen."

In conclusion, chapter 49 covered prophecies and promises of the nations. Only two are to be restored in later days: Ammon and Elam; and while Damascus was destroyed, today the name is used as the capital of Syria. However, Edom is still deserted and Kedar and Hazor are no more.

Jeremiah 47-48

Chapters 47-48 are messages from the LORD to two other nations, the Philistines in Gaza and the Moabites in Moab. They are also messages to the remnant on the run who were looking to be dependant on other nations, even their enemies. Instead of looking to and trusting God, they would rather look to their enemies. 

The LORD said that Gaza would be plundered (by the "waters...out of the north," which is the Chaldeans). But it is really the LORD who "shall plunder the Philistines." 

O you sword of the LORD, how long until you are quiet? Put yourself up into your scabbard, rest and be still! How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD has given it a charge...? There He has appointed it. 

Against Moab: she is to be cut off as a nation...destroyed...."because [they] have trust in [their] works and...treasures." 

For her cities shall be desolate, without any to dwell in them. Cursed is he who does the work of the LORD deceitfully.

However, the LORD will bring back a remnant (captives) from Moab "in the latter days." 

COMMENTARY

The people who lived in Gaza were called the Philistines, and they were conquered by the Chaldeans; therefore, the remnant of Judah could not look to them to save them. And they could not look to Moab, which is where Jordan is today, because Moab was going to be conquered also. 

According to the Bible, the Moabites are related by blood to Abraham. They came through Lot's sons, who were conceived through incest with his daughters. Bottom line, they did not trust in the LORD, and this was their judgment time. 

HOWEVER, in the Millennium period, the LORD will keep His promise and bring back a remnant from the Moabites. 

 

Jeremiah 45-46

CHAPTER 45

This is a short chapter that was inserted here in Jeremiah, but it was given back around the time of chapter 36, the year 605 BC, to Baruch, Jeremiah's friend and associate who had aided him over the years. Baruch was anxious about the turn of events, and Jeremiah meant to encourage him. Baruch had great expectations; therefore, disasters were too much for him. He must be content with such things as they are, and suffering is one way God teaches us contentment. (A good lesson for all of us to know.)

COMMENTARY

Baruch was the friend and assistant to Jeremiah who wrote his letter while he was in prison, the one King Jehoiakim burned in the fire; and Baruch also took care of the legal paperwork when Jeremiah bought the property in Anathoth. 

The LORD wanted Baruch to understand that while events were going to get worse, it was He who was responsible. The LORD was in control. He also wanted Baruch to know that he would get through these times, and God will preserve his life. 

CHAPTER 46

This chapter returns to the current time while the remnant and Jeremiah are in Egypt, and it is prophecy against Egypt and those who trust in Pharaoh Necho. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries. Nebuchadnezzar will strike the land of Egypt, in Migdol. God explained that it is He who will drive away Egypt's mighty men, and many will fall. 

GOD'S PROMISE TO ISRAEL

YET!!! There is good news! 

But do not fear, O My servant Jacob, and do not be dismayed, O Israel! For behold, I will save you from afar, and your offspring from the land of their captivity; Jacob shall return, have rest and be at ease; no one shall make him afraid. Do not fear, O Jacob My servant, for I am with you for I will make a complete end of all the nations to which I have driven you, but I will not make a complete end of you. I will rightly correct you, for I will not leave you wholly unpunished.  

 COMMENTARY

Now fast forward to Egypt: God told Jeremiah that He would bring Nebuchadnezzar to Egypt, and Pharaoh could not protect anyone who trusted in him. The remnant should have trusted in the LORD.

Nonetheless, Jeremiah also gave promising news (because that is how God has always shown Himself to be). The LORD is not done with Israel and Judah. They shall return to the land and live in peace and not in fear of any nation. While He must punish them for disobedience, He will correct them. The LORD will make a complete end of the nations they were driven; however, He will not make an end of Israel. 

Again, this is FUTURE PROPHECY and PROMISES, yet to be fulfilled. Given the horrible news today, how Israel has such vile, wicked neighbors, and how the world has turned its back on Israel in her troubles, one day her evil neighbors will not exist, and all nations around the world will support Israel forever. Israel will never live in fear or be led astray ever again. God's Word is true!

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Jeremiah 43-44

CHAPTER 43

Jeremiah stopped talking to the people. They had accused him of lying about the Lord's instruction not to go to Egypt, and they were suspicious that Jeremiah had set a trap for them to be taken captive by the Chaldeans if they had remained in Judah. Therefore, they headed back out to Egypt, and they forced all the remnant and Jeremiah to go with them.

While they were in Egypt, the Lord told Jeremiah to tell the people that He will send Nebuchadnezzar, His servant, to strike the land of Egypt, delivering "to death those appointed for death, and to captivity those appointed for captivity, and to the sword those appointed for the sword." 

Also the Lord will cause the king of Babylon to burn the gods of the Egyptians, break the sacred pillars, and leave there the victor and in peace.

CHAPTER 44

The Lord spoke again to Jeremiah, saying (to the people): you saw all the calamity I had done to Jerusalem and Judah, which are now deserted and desolate, because of the people's disobedience and wickedness, burning incense to other gods; and I had sent to you prophets to warn you; and yet you have continued in disobedience to provoke Me to anger by burning incense to other gods in Egypt. 

Therefore, I will consume the remnant in Egypt by sword, famine, and pestilence, and they shall die. Only those who escape will return.

And yet, the men who knew their wives had burned incense to other gods arrogantly said they would not listen to Jeremiah, but will do whatever they want, to burn incense to the queen of heaven because when they did these things in Judah, they had food; now they no longer had food. And the women became  defensive of their idolatry, also.

Jeremiah explained that it was actually because of their disobedience and wickedness that caused the  calamity.

So, the Lord said they would die in Egypt -- except a small remnant who escape shall return to the land of Judah. And this shall be a sign to them, and He shall give Pharoah into the hand of the king of Babylon. 

COMMENTARY

This time the remnant would not obey God under any circumstances. Their hearts desired Egypt and to practice paganism. And it did not matter that the Lord explained how He was the one who permitted the desolation of Judah and Jerusalem. 

Nonetheless, He still pleaded with His people to return to Him. But man's willful rejection of God is an example of "the utter depravity of the human heart." 

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Jeremiah 42

 Before the remnant went to Egypt, they wanted to make sure they were doing whatever God wanted them to do, and what better person to ask than Jeremiah, the prophet who has been right all along. 

Johanan and the people asked Jeremiah to pray to his God for them and ask Him what He wanted them to do. Should they go to Egypt or stay in the land? Whether it was good to them or not, they promised to do whatever the Lord told them to do. 

Jeremiah told them he would do just as they asked and he would give it to them straight, whatever the Lord told him to tell them. 

After a short time, the Lord told Jeremiah to tell the people that if they remained in the land (Jerusalem/Judah) then He would "build them up" and "not pull them down"; "He will plant them and not pluck them up." For it is His desire to bless them. He assured them not to fear the king of Babylon for the Lord their God is with them. 

However, if they disobeyed the Lord and went to Egypt, then for sure they will die by the sword, through famine and pestilence, and no one will remain or escape from the disaster that God will bring upon him.

And what do you think they did after Jeremiah gave them clear instructions from God?  

They went to Egypt. 

COMMENTARY

McGee made an important point regarding chapter 42. He said that the people knew that Jeremiah would give them a clear and concise message from God. And this is how anyone should deliver the Word of God: "with no attempt at being sophisticated or smooth words to please the people." When the Word is watered down, it is weak and caters to what people yearn to hear, not what they need to hear. 

Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:3-4: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 

This is what has happened to the Word of God in many churches today. Preachers and teachers need to be like Jeremiah. Give the people the Word straight from God.

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Jeremiah 40-41

CHAPTER 40

The captain of the guard told Jeremiah that he could do whatever he wanted: if he thought it was right to go to Babylon, he may; if he wanted to stay behind, he may, and he could dwell with Gedaliah, whom Nebuchadnezzar made governor over the land. The captain gave Jeremiah gifts and rations and let him choose, and Jeremiah chose to stay. Sounded like a good deal. 

When some of the Babylonian armies left behind heard that Gedaliah was made governor, they went to him; Gedaliah took an oath before them, and he told them to serve the Chaldeans and the king of Babylon. But one man, Johanan told Gedaliah that another man, Ishmael, sought to kill Gedaliah. Johanan offered to kill Ishmael, but Gedaliah did not believe the rumor and told Johanan to leave Ishmael alone. 

COMMENTARY

The people who were left behind in the land were the lame, the blind, the poor, and a group of Chaldean army who made up a criminal element. 

And, as we see in chapter 40, Jeremiah, who was given the option to follow the others to Babylon or stay in the land, chose to stay behind with these people. After all, the people taken to Babylon had rejected Jeremiah's messages of God. But sidebar: in Babylon, the Lord would raise up another prophet, named Ezekiel. More on that later.

Of the bad element left in Jerusalem, a man named Ishmael plotted to murder Gedaliah, but Gedaliah did not believe the rumors.

CHAPTER 41

We could see the handwriting on the wall. Gedaliah was a target of Ishmael, and sure enough, he struck him down with the sword. Also, Ishmael killed seventy other men who came from outside Jerusalem to mourn the city and took other people captive. Then Johanan, who had warned Gedaliah about Ismael, heard what Ishmael had done, set out to find him, but it was too late. Ishmael had escaped. Meanwhile, Johanan and the captives, whom he set free, decided to head down to Egypt, for fear of Nebuchadnezzar. 

COMMENTARY

To recap: Ishmael murdered Gedaliah and several Chaldeans and Jews who were with him, and he captured and imprisoned the people of Mizpah. Johanan sought to pursue Ishmael, but he had escaped; and instead, Johanan and the captives made their way to Egypt. 

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Jeremiah 39

Well, it happened. Finally. 

Jerusalem was sacked. 

Instead of surrendering to the Babylonian king, as Jeremiah instructed, Zedekiah and the princes of Judah fled by cover of night, only to be captured by the Nebuzaradan guard. The guard brought Zedekiah before Nebuchadnezzar, murdered Zedekiah's sons in front of him, and then put out his eyes and dragged him to Babylon. And they brought the remnant of the city to Babylon, as well, except the poor whom they left behind.

Meanwhile, Jeremiah was also left behind and put into the care of Gedaliah, as instructed by Nebuchadnezzar. Also, the Ethiopian who saved Jeremiah's life in the last chapter was protected by God and delivered from the Chaldeans.

COMMENTARY

The sacking of Jerusalem began "the time of the Gentiles" that is mentioned in the Bible. And we are still in the time of the Gentiles because Israel still does not control the holy places. 

In this chapter, we see that God took care of Jeremiah. He had Nebuchadnezzar release Jeremiah from prison where he was to remain in Jerusalem and in the care of Gedaliah, who the Babylonian king put in charge and told him to treat Jeremiah well. What a save!

People have a hard time accepting God's judgment. They believe the angry, wrathful God of the Old Testament is different than the soft and kind God of the New Testament, but this is false. God is the same yesterday and today. He is a God of wrath and He will always punish sin. But He is also a God of mercy and He is very patient. If you read your whole Bible, you will see God's judgment and mercy side by side always. 

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Jeremiah 38

The princes had some more time to think about what Jeremiah had said about those left in Jerusalem who would be subject to death by the sword, famine, and pestilence, and frankly, they were not amused. They asked permission of Zedekiah to kill Jeremiah, blaming his message for the break down in morale of the remaining soldiers, and as if that would change the prophecy. I suppose they were into silencing truth, or what we call today: censorship of "misinformation." (See, nothing new under the sun.)

Zedekiah told them to do what they like, and he wouldn't stop them. Therefore, they put Jeremiah in the dungeon, which would lead to his inevitable death. 

But the Lord provided Jeremiah with an advocate, a friend, and he (a eunuch), pleaded for Jeremiah's life, and the king rescinded and told him to remove Jeremiah from the dungeon. Instead, Jeremiah was to stay in the court's prison, which was a better place to be.

Then Zedekiah asked to speak with Jeremiah again, and Jeremiah repeated God's word to surrender to the king of Babylon because it would be well for Zedekiah and his household. But if they did not surrender, all of the women and children in Zedekiah's household would go to the king of Babylon.

Lastly, Zedekiah asked that Jeremiah not divulge any of the details of their conversation with the princes when they confronted him, which Jeremiah did not share the details. 

COMMENTARY

As offensive as Zedekiah was towards God, Jeremiah still pleaded with the king to obey God's word. He begged him to save his life by surrendering to the king of Babylon. But Zedekiah was a typical politician in that he was a coward and wanted to be everything to everybody, which is not possible. He wanted to please everyone; but the only One he should please was the LORD.

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Jeremiah 36-37

CHAPTER 36

God told Jeremiah to write in a book (scroll) everything the Lord had told him to say, his entire ministry, and read it to the people in the temple. Since he was still imprisoned, Baruch, Jeremiah's secretary, would have to read it to them. 

After Baruch read the book to the people, they were convicted and wanted to tell Jehoiakim. First, they told Jeremiah and Baruch to hide themselves. Then they read the book in the hearing of the king, and before they finished, he had the scroll brought to him and burned it in the fire; he also ordered Baruch and Jeremiah seized, but they were not found. 

Next the Lord had Jeremiah rewrite the scroll that Jehoiakim destroyed. And the Lord conveyed to Jehoiakim that no one in his family would ever sit on the throne of David.

COMMENTARY

Jehoiakim's heart attitude was not right toward the Word of God. The people, the princes, were convicted, but Jehoiakim did not believe it nor care about it. So he destroyed it. This is just as good as ignoring God's Word. 

But God has the final word, and He had Jeremiah rewrite His messages, and add to it that no one in the line of Jehoiakim will ever sit on the throne of David. Ever. 

CHAPTER 37

Remember: the book of Jeremiah is not written in chronological order. It jumps around a lot. In this chapter, King Zedekiah reigned instead of Coniah (son of Jehoiakim), whom Nebuchadnezzar placed on the throne in Judah. King Zedekiah asked Jeremiah (who was not in prison, yet) to pray to God for them because the Egyptian army came up at the same time the Chaldeans were set to besiege Jerusalem. When the Chaldeans saw the Egyptian army, they left. 

The Lord told Jeremiah to tell Zedekiah that the Chaldeans will return and will take Jerusalem and burn it with fire. Do not be fooled. Meanwhile, Jeremiah went to claim the property he had bought and Hananiah accused him of defecting to the Chaldeans. He had Jeremiah seized and put in prison. But Zedekiah had him released and asked him about his inquiry in the Lord. Jeremiah told him that he will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, but Zedekiah did not want to hear this, and he put Jeremiah back into prison. 

Poor Jeremiah, surrounded by idiots. 

COMMENTARY

Up to this point, Jeremiah had been in ministry for thirty years. The Chaldeans, the army of the king of Babylon, has besieged Jerusalem for eighteen months. It was the third time for Nebuchadnezzar, but Pharaoh attempted to do Zedekiah a favor and chased the Chaldeans away. 

However, they would be back. Jeremiah told Zedekiah not to make an alliance with Pharaoh, but to surrender to Nebuchadnezzar. For that, Zedekiah put Jeremiah back into prison. But not before he was accused of defecting, which was not true. Nonetheless, he remained in prison until the Chaldeans sacked the city. 

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Jeremiah 34-35

CHAPTER 34

The Lord told Jeremiah to warn Zedekiah, king of Judah, that Nebuchadnezzar will take Jerusalem and burn the city, and that Zedekiah would be taken captive.

Also, Zedekiah had proclaimed that all male and female slaves should be given their liberty, which pleased the Lord; however, then he went back on his word and called all slaves to return, which angered the Lord. 

COMMENTARY

Zedekiah agreed that all the Hebrew servants were to be freed. This was a covenant the LORD had made at the time of Moses but the people did not keep it. In the process, Zedekiah profaned the LORD'S name. It is important to remember that the world is paying attention to God's people, and when they disregard the LORD'S word, it looks worse than if an unbeliever rejects the LORD. His Word is damaged more by His people than unbelievers. 

CHAPTER 35

In this short chapter, the Lord tested the Rechabites by offering them wine to drink, but they refused because they had obeyed this command by their fathers from their youth. And the Lord was pleased and said: 

Because you have obeyed the commandment of...your father, and kept all his precepts and done according to all that he commanded you, therefore thus says the LORD..., the God of Israel: "Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not lack a man to stand before Me forever."

COMMENTARY 

The Rechabites are part of the believing remnant. The LORD always preserves for Himself a remnant. In the Great Tribulation, there will be reserved for Him 144,000 men. And there will be two witnesses, as well. That is all He needs. 

The Rechabites are an example of a people who faithfully obeyed the commands of their earthly father, contrasted with the children of Judah who disobeyed their heavenly Father. One group was to be blessed, and the other was to be judged. But the LORD will always have a remnant. 

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Jeremiah 33

Again, the Lord spoke to Jeremiah while he was in prison, encouraging him to pray to Him and He will answer and show Jeremiah things he does not know. 

The Lord reiterated that He will heal His people and "reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth." He will restore them to the land, cleanse them from sin, pardon them, and show them mercy. They will be an example to all the nations of the earth, and all the people will know of His goodness. 

In those days and at that time I will cause to grow up to David a Branch of righteousness; He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell safely. And this is the name by which she will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

COMMENTARY

God is going to "reaffirm the covenant He made with David in 2 Samuel 7"...that He will sit on the throne forever. 

"In those days" means the Day of the Lord, which is coming. It has not happened, yet. There has not been a righteous Branch, yet, (which is Jesus Christ); when He sits on the throne in Jerusalem, He will execute judgment and righteousness in the land. For now, God is calling out a people to His name, preparing to put His Son on the throne. 

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Jeremiah 32

 God is awesome! 

It was the tenth year of Zedekiah, king of Judah, and Jeremiah was sitting in jail, thanks to Zedekiah. Meanwhile, the king of Babylon was outside the doors of Jerusalem, and Zedekiah questioned why Jeremiah continued prophesying the Chaldeans were going to sack the city.

And yet, God told Jeremiah to purchase land from a relative. Jeremiah obeyed but questioned God's timing, when he believed the LORD that the Babylonians were about to take the city. Jeremiah prayed:

Ah, Lord God! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power...there is nothing too hard for You. You show lovingkindness...and repay the iniquity...You are great in counsel and mighty in work, for Your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men...You have brought Your people Israel out of the land of Egypt...You have given them this land...And they came in and took possession of it, but they have not obeyed Your voice...therefore, You have caused all this calamity to come upon them. 

What You have spoken has happened...And You have said to me, O Lord God, "Buy the field for money, and take witnesses!" - yet the city has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans. 

The Lord then answered Jeremiah:

Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?...Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans...

Behold, I will gather them out of all countries where I have driven them in My anger,...and I will cause them to dwell safely. They shall be My people, and I will be their God; then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever...And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me. Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and with all My soul.  

Just as I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will bring on them all the good that I have promised them. 

The Lord assured Jeremiah that men will buy land with money and take witnesses again, "for I will cause their captives to return." 

COMMENTARY

Jeremiah wanted to understand why the Lord had him purchase land at this particular time? He trusted God, and therefore, he brought his genuine questions to Him. There is nothing wrong with asking God the questions on your heart. He wants us to be honest like Jeremiah. Take it to the Lord in prayer. Nothing is too hard for Him, and He will encourage us. 

As for Israel...there is a day coming when the Lord will restore the people to the land and to fellowship with Him. 

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Jeremiah 31

 Chapter 31 is a promise of hope for Israel. These are God's promises to Israel:

He will be the God of all the families of Israel and they will be His people. He will rebuild Israel. There is a remnant of Israel, and the LORD will bring them from the north country and gather them from the ends of the earth. They shall return with weeping and supplication (while the LORD leads them). He, who scattered them, will gather them, because He redeemed them. Their souls will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more.

There is hope in your future, that your children shall come back to their own border.

The LORD called Israel "a backsliding daughter" and He "created a new thing in the earth - a woman shall encompass a man." 

This brought such peace to Jeremiah because "the days are coming...when the LORD will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and the seed of beast." He will "watch over them to build and to plant..." 

The days are coming...when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah... 

I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God and they shall be My people...For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more. 

The days are coming that the city shall be built for the LORD...

COMMENTARY 

After the Great Tribulation (the time of Jacob's trouble), Israel will be restored to the land. This is a future promise and has not come true, yet. While some say Israel has been restored to their land, they have not returned to God. Also, there are more Jews living outside of Israel than live in Israel.

The reason God is going to restore Israel is because He loves them with an everlasting love. He is a father to Israel and "Ephraim is [His] firstborn." 

The verse regarding "a backsliding daughter..," John MacArthur called it "the most puzzling statements in Jeremiah." The word woman does not mean a virgin, so it cannot refer to Christ. Possibly it means a former virgin, like Israel, now a disgraced, divorced wife. One day she will return to her husband, the LORD, and He will forgive her and take her back. That would be "a new thing in the earth." 

There will be a new covenant that God will make with Israel, with all twelve tribes of Israel, and it will be different from the one made with Moses. The law will be engraved on their hearts, not on stone. And this covenant will never be changed or repealed.

credit: Guide Makombo (LinkedIn)

Jeremiah 30

 The LORD told Jeremiah to write in a book all of His words... 

...the days are coming that I will bring back from captivity My people Israel and Judah. And I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it. 

JACOB'S TROUBLE

There is a great day of fear, not peace, that is coming. It is called "the time of Jacob's trouble," a time of great tribulation, "but [Israel] shall be saved out of it. In that day, foreigners shall no more enslave them. But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king, Whom I will raise up for them." (v. 9)

The LORD shall make a full end of all nations where He had scattered Israel and Judah, yet He will not make a complete end of Israel. But the LORD will correct Israel with justice and her sins will not go unpunished. 

The LORD will have mercy on Israel and bring them back, and Jerusalem will be rebuilt, and the people will rejoice and multiply and have children. The LORD will glorify them and a congregation will be established before Him. 

And their Governor shall come from their midst; then I will cause Him to draw near, and He shall approach Me....You shall be My people, and I will be your God. 

In these latter days, the LORD will violently destroy the wicked. YAY!

COMMENTARY

 At this time, Jeremiah had been arrested and he was writing from jail. He saw the great Day of the LORD coming, which previous prophets, like Isaiah, had also written. The time of trouble is the tribulation period, following the rapture of the church but preceding the Second Advent of Christ. The LORD will save Israel from that terrible period and return the people to the land He had given to them. 

Now, according to McGee, David is literally placed on the throne as governor, as Scripture plainly says in v 21. However, John MacArthur notes that David represents the Messiah (from v. 9, which says: But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.) So, this I do not know. 

So, in this chapter, we get a glimpse of future promises for Israel, talk of "latter days," and the kingdom age. These are both terrifying and exciting times to come. 

From What's in the Bible

Jeremiah 28 & 29

 CHAPTER 28

A false prophet named Hananiah told the people that God broke the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar, and within two years all of the captives of Judah will return. Jeremiah told Hananiah that if a prophet prophesies of peace, and the word of the prophet comes to pass, the prophet will be known as one whom the LORD has truly sent. 

Then the LORD spoke to Jeremiah and told him to tell Hananiah that he lied and rebelled against God, and for this he shall die. Therefore, that same year, Hananiah died. 

COMMENTARY

You would think the people would have moved over to Jeremiah's column by now because his prophecies continued to prove true; but they were still willing to believe the lies of the false prophets -- likely because their hearts were also in rebellion toward God. 

CHAPTER 29

Jeremiah sent a long letter to the all the people who were carried away to Babylon telling them to build homes, plant gardens, and get married while in captivity, that they may increase in number, and not listen or believe the false diviners because the LORD had not sent them. 

He also told them that after seventy years, the LORD will visit them and "perform My good word...and cause you to return..." 

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you...thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 

I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive. 

But if they continued following those prophets in Babylon, they will be met with the sword (among other things) and be a reproach to the nations. 

COMMENTARY

God told the captives to settle down in Babylon because they were going to be there a while. He encouraged them to live peaceably and be good law-abiding citizens. God was going to return them to their homeland after seventy years.  

Unfortunately, there were false prophets in Babylon, too, and they refused to accept Jeremiah's letter. But there was a message for them as well, and it was not encouraging. 

God demonstrated His loving kindness on a people who had rebelled against Him over and over again and sinned in the most egregious ways. While He must and will always judge sin, which was exactly why they were in captivity, one day He will collect them and restore them to their home in Judah. 

 

Jeremiah 26 & 27

JEREMIAH 26

The LORD told Jeremiah to "speak to all the cities of Judah," which went to the LORD'S house," that they "turn from [their] evil way, that I may relent concerning the calamity which I purpose to bring on them..." If they will not listen, then the LORD will make them "a curse to all the nations of the earth." 

The people did not like what Jeremiah had to say; therefore, they threatened to kill him. They sent for the princes to hear Jeremiah, and he said he was in their hands to do what they like; but if they killed him, then they will bring innocent blood on the city, its inhabitants, and themselves because the LORD Himself sent Jeremiah. Therefore, the princes recognized that Jeremiah did not deserve to die. And the LORD spared Jeremiah.

COMMENTARY

In chapter 26, Jeremiah went into the court outside the temple to deliver the message of the LORD. The people had shown themselves to be far from God, although outwardly they continued to act religiously, attending the temple regularly. 

Again, Jeremiah's warning was that God would not judge them if they changed. God will always punish sin, but He will pardon the sinner who comes to Him. If they do not change, then He will make Jerusalem a curse to all the nations of the earth. (And that is still true today.)

They rejected the message and sought to kill Jeremiah. But once the princes got involved and believed Jeremiah, then the people changed their minds. 

It was the priests and prophets who considered it blasphemy when Jeremiah told them that God was going to destroy Jerusalem and the temple because they believed the false prophets who contradicted Jeremiah's message. But the princes, being willing to listen to him, were the reason his life was spared. 

Side note: the priests and prophets, AKA the religious rulers, were able to separate morality from their faith (religion), just like people do today. It is like they live with one foot in the world and one foot in the church. Just like in Jeremiah's day, the religious rulers of Jesus' time also separated morality from their so-called faith, and it was the priests who ordered Jesus' to die and encouraged the masses to join them in calling for his death. This is what is called Vox populi, vox Dei, or "the voice of the people is the voice of God." Public opinion is the authority. 

But God's Word is the only authority, and that is the place from which Jeremiah's spoke. 

CHAPTER 27

In this chapter, Jeremiah sent bonds and yokes to the kings of other nations with God's warning for them. Jeremiah reminded these kings that God is the Creator.

I have made the earth, the man, and the beast that are on the ground, by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and have given it to whom it seemed proper to Me. 

The LORD had given Nebuchadnezzar, His servent, power to take all of these lands, and if these other nations will not serve the king of Babylon, the LORD will punish them with sword, famine, and pestilence. God warned them all not to listen to their prophets who lie. 

Serve the king of Babylon, and live! 

from Jesus the True King

Jeremiah 25

The LORD had been coming to Jeremiah for twenty-three years and giving him His word, which Jeremiah had been sharing with the people of Judah. However, they would not listen. Other prophets had also told the people to repent of their evil ways, stop worshipping other gods, and not to provoke the LORD to anger; but they would not listen. 

Because the people had ignored the prophets' warnings, the LORD said He will permit Nebuchadnezzar, God's servant, to take the people to Babylon. The LORD will remove their laughter, joy, marriage, burdens, and light. The people will live in captivity for seventy years.

When the seventy years are completed, then the LORD will punish the king of Babylon and the land of the Chaldeans, "according to the works of their own hands."

Then God proclaimed judgment upon all the nations all over the world, to drink the cup of God's fury. 

...all the kings of the north, far and near, one with another; and all the kingdoms of the world which are on the face of the earth.

Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Drink, be drunk, and vomit! Fall and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you. 

...for I will call for a sword on all the inhabitants of the earth.

And there is more:

The LORD will roar from on high and utter His voice from His holy habitation.

Behold, disaster shall go forth from nation to nation...

And at that day the slain of the LORD shall be from one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth. They shall not be lamented, or gathered,m or buried; they shall become refuse on the ground. 

COMMENTARY

The prophecy in chapter 25 was actually given seventeen or eighteen years prior to chapter 24. The Book of Jeremiah is not necessarily in chronological order. 

The prophecy foretold how God would use Nebuchadnezzar as His instrument to judge the people and the land of Judah. God would remove all of their pleasure and joy, and for seventy years they will live in captivity, in Babylon. 

Why seventy years? Because the people had not kept the sabbatic year for 490 years. (The sabbatic year was to be observed every seventh year, in which the people were to let the land rest. But they certainly neglected this command.) Therefore, the people were removed from the land that it may rest and recover those sabbatic years. Once the land had rested, the prophecy was completed. 

But the LORD gave another prophecy that has yet to be completed. The LORD said that all the nations of the earth will drink the cup of His wrath. Because all of the nations and their kings and political "shepherds" are accountable to God, they will receive His judgments. This is obviously a future promise because it has not happened, yet, and it will take place in the Tribulation period.

from Bible Hub