Jeremiah is a powerful prophetic book documenting Judah’s final years before the Babylonian exile. Known as the “weeping prophet,” Jeremiah delivers messages of warning, grief, and hope as he calls the nation to repent from idolatry and injustice. While judgment is inevitable because of persistent rebellion, Jeremiah also reveals God’s promise of a new covenant and future restoration.
Background
Author: Jeremiah (with assistance from his scribe Baruch)
Audience: Judah during its decline and exile
Date: 626–586 BC, with some material added afterward
Location Written: Primarily Jerusalem, later Egypt
Context: Jeremiah prophesied during the reigns of Judah’s final kings as Babylon rose to power. The people repeatedly rejected God’s warnings and trusted in political alliances, false prophets, and empty religion. Jeremiah’s ministry included preaching, symbolic actions, persecution, imprisonment, and deep personal anguish. Despite Judah’s collapse, God promises a future restoration through a new covenant written on the heart.
Characters
- Jeremiah — prophet faithfully delivering God’s message despite rejection and suffering
- God — judge of sin and source of mercy, promising a new covenant
- Baruch — Jeremiah’s scribe recording prophecies and assisting in ministry
- Judah’s Kings (Josiah, Jehoiakim, Zedekiah) — leaders responding variably but mostly resisting God’s word
- False Prophets — voices contradicting Jeremiah and misleading the people
- Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar) — instrument of God’s judgment
- Remnant of Judah — group carried into exile or left in the land
Major Events
- Jeremiah’s calling and commissioning as a prophet (Chapter 1)
- Warnings of Judah’s idolatry and impending judgment (Chapters 2–6)
- Temple sermon confronting false religion (Chapter 7)
- Jeremiah’s symbolic actions illustrating God’s message (various chapters)
- Conflict with kings and persecution of Jeremiah (Chapters 20–38)
- Jeremiah’s message to the exiles (Chapter 29)
- Promise of the new covenant written on the heart (Chapter 31)
- Fall of Jerusalem to Babylon (Chapters 39–40)
- Jeremiah taken to Egypt against his will (Chapter 43)
- Prophecies against surrounding nations (Chapters 46–51)
Application & Life Lessons
- Faithfulness to God may require courage in the face of opposition
- External religion is meaningless without true repentance
- God is patient but will judge persistent disobedience
- Trusting in worldly security leads to disappointment
- God’s word is true even when unpopular
- The new covenant points to transformed hearts through God’s Spirit
- Hope remains even in seasons of judgment and loss
- God’s plans extend beyond present circumstances
Bible Study Videos
Video by the Bible Project providing an overview of Jeremiah
Sermons & Teachings
Sermon by Skip Heitzig offering a brief overview of Jeremiah 1-20
Sermon by Skip Heitzig offering a brief overview of Jeremiah 21-52 & Lamentations
Podcasts
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Articles
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Bible Reading Plans
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Books
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Disclosures & Notices
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