Jeremiah Introduction Context Jeremiah prophesied to Judah during

Jeremiah Introduction

Context • Jeremiah prophesied to Judah during the final years of the Kingdom • He began in the 13 th year of King Josiah (627 BC) • He continued through the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC and beyond into Egypt.

Timeline • Manasseh – wicked king. Reigned for 55 years and repented at the end of his life. • Amon – son of Manasseh, reigned for two years. Wicked, did not learn from his father. • Josiah – last good king. Tried to reform the land of idolatry. He died challenging Pharaoh Necho II at Megiddo. • Jehoahaz (Shallum) – only king for 3 months. Opposed Egypt and was deposed by Necho II.

Timeline (cont. ) • Eliakim (Jehoiakim) – son of Josiah, reigned for 11 years. First wave of captives taken after the battle of Carchemish. • Jehoiachin (Jeconiah or Coniah) – only reigned for 3 months. Taken to Babylon with a second wave of captives. • Zedekiah (Mattaniah) – son of Josiah, but a vassal for Babylon. Ruled for 11 years until 586 BC when Jerusalem was destroyed. • Gedaliah – appointed governor of the remaining people but was assassinated.

Themes • No support from leadership – rather outright opposition! • The people fail to fully repent • Comparison between trusting in God and trusting in man. • The prophet’s struggle between love for the people and love for righteousness.

Chapter 1 • 1: 1 -3 Introduction. Jeremiah comes from a priestly family in Anathoth. • 1: 4 -10 God charges Jeremiah to serve as a prophet to the nations. He is hesitant, but God reassures him. • 1: 11 -12 The almond tree represents the hastening of God’s judgment on the people. • 1: 13 -19 The boiling pot similarly represents God’s judgment – specifying that it will come from the north. • The chapter concludes with further reassurance to Jeremiah.