Six Themes in Jeremiah Everyone Should Know

W. Eugene March

• Publisher: Geneva Press
• Year: 2019
• Print ISBN: 9781571532428
• eBook ISBN: 9781611649529
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Studies

The Six Themes Everyone Should Know series introduces biblical books and their main themes. Each volume consists of six chapters that present major biblical themes; each chapter contains an introduction and three major sections:

• An explanation of the theme
• The significance of the biblical theme for the life of faith
• An exploration of implications this biblical theme offers the church for its ministry

The biblicalJeremiahisseen as a prophet of judgementand doom. He believed the hard times befalling Judah werethe resultofpeople breaking the covenant with God. But Jeremiah was alsoa prophetof hope for those who believed God had not forsaken them, evenwhen they were forcedinto exile. Jeremiah believed that the relationship with Godcould be restored. Gene March introduces us to six themesthat explorethe difficult times and the critical messageof thismessengerfor God. This volume includes material for participants and guides for leading all six sessions.

Jeremiah demonstrates what it can mean to be
embraced by God and claimed for special service.

Chapter 1

Jeremiah: A
Prophet like Moses

Scripture

Jeremiah 1:4–19 God commissions Jeremiah.

Deuteronomy 18:15–22 A prophet like Moses will come.

Prayer

O awesome God, you have sought us across the centuries, inviting us into relationship with you. You have come to us in the person of prophets, in mighty acts of deliverance, and, finally, in the person of your Son Jesus, our Lord. Still we are often uncertain of your will. Help us now as we study the book of your prophet Jeremiah to gain the insight and perspective we need to live in the way you desire and relish. For Jesus’ sake, hear our prayer. Amen.

Introduction

The book of Jeremiah is long, fifty-two chapters long. Jeremiah the prophet was active between the years 609 BCE and 585 BCE, witnessing and interpreting the fall of Judah to the Babylonians, including the exile of large numbers of Judean leaders to Babylon.

While the words and actions of the prophet Jeremiah are the focus of this long book, some other materials have been included because they agree with the theological perspective of Jeremiah or reflect on issues connected with him. The complex literary history of the book of Jeremiah will not be discussed in detail. Only let it be understood that the book was composed over at least a century and demonstrates theological reflection in its development.

Further, the book of Jeremiah is closely related in theology and literary style to parts of the book of Deuteronomy. Both Jeremiah and Deuteronomy insist that the proper foundation for Israel’s relationship with God is the Mosaic covenant. After David had become king, a “royal ideology/theology” developed. Proponents of this perspective insisted that God’s connection with Israel was mainly exercised through the Davidic monarch buttressed with a divine promise to David of an everlasting, unconditional covenant (2 Samuel 7; Psalm 89:1–38). Deuteronomy and Jeremiah challenged this understanding. They insisted that any relationship with God must be based on following the stipulations of the Ten Commandments and other parts of the covenant established by God with Moses and Israel at Sinai (Exodus 20:1–21; Deuteronomy 5:1–21), particularly the admonitions against idolatry.

The book of Jeremiah preserves the legacy of Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, related to the priests of Anathoth, a village about three miles northeast of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 1:1). He was understood to be a “‘prophet [nabi’] to the nations’” (1:5), a prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15). A nabi’ was one commissioned by God to declare God’s word. Such a prophet might say something about the future, but the main task was addressing the present. Biblical prophets did not make predictions about the future. They announced God’s will for the present! That is how the book of Jeremiah is to be heard and understood.

A Basic Theme: Appointed over Nations and Kingdoms

The book of Jeremiah opens with the commissioning of the prophet (1:4–19). As Moses was given a word and task at the burning bush (Exodus 3:1–4:17), so Jeremiah received a word from God declaring him to be “‘a prophet to the nations’” (1:5). As Moses resisted God’s directive questioning whether he was capable of the assignment (Exodus 3:11), so Jeremiah responded with hesitancy, saying, “‘I am only a boy’” (1:6). The Hebrew word translated “boy” is used of people of various ages, but seldom of children. It mainly suggests a level of experience. Here “young man” or “apprentice” might be a better translation since Jeremiah and his father were connected to the priestly circle at Anathoth. Whatever, it is highly unlikely that Jeremiah was a child.

The similarities between the accounts of Moses’ and Jeremiah’s commissioning continue. Both were assured that God would be with them no matter what they faced (Exodus 3:12; Jeremiah 1:8). And when Moses again tried to avoid the assigned task by citing his lack of speaking ability (Exodus 4:10–13), God reprimanded him and appointed Aaron to speak on Moses’ behalf (Exodus 4:14–16). With Jeremiah, at the very beginning, God placed the divine word in his mouth (figuratively speaking, of course) and thereby assured Jeremiah that he was qualified to be a prophet (Jeremiah 1:14–15; see Deuteronomy 18:18).

Being a prophet was not something to covet. Often, Jeremiah faced a scornful, doubting king and people. Much of his task was to alert the nation, Judah, and its leaders, that God was deeply unhappy with them. They were in for a time of destroying, plucking up, and seeing reality as they had known it turned inside out (Jeremiah1:10). People never like to hear such words; the Judeans of Jeremiah’s time were no different. As they rejected God, they also turned Jeremiah away, often violently. But Jeremiah was assured that God would be with him (1:8, 19).

The certainty of coming judgment was Jeremiah’s fundamental message. This adverse consequence was the result of widespread idolatry (1:16). Because of this, Jeremiah has been seen as a negative person with no good news to share. While the judgments to come were frightening, there was nonetheless one good note to sound: a time “‘to build and to plant’” was also part of God’s word for Jeremiah to declare (1:10). God continued to have an interest in and a commitment to the people to whom Jeremiah was sent.

Yes, Jeremiah was a prophet like Moses. They were each commissioned with a word from God for a particular time. They were sent to confront royal power (Pharaoh in Egypt and a vassal puppet king in Judah). Nations and kingdoms stand under the lordship of God, no matter how powerful they may seem. And Moses and the prophet like Moses, Jeremiah, had a strong word to deliver.

The Life of Faith: Being Embraced by a Loving God

Reading about Jeremiah’s induction into God’s work is eye opening in several ways. First, from his own point of view, Jeremiah had nothing to qualify him for any significant role. Second, he was not particularly looking for a special task or opportunity of service. Third, as far as we are told, Jeremiah had no cause for which he had great zeal. He was more or less minding his own business when God burst in and distinctly claimed him.

Jeremiah was like many (most?) folk who today count themselves believers in God. In theory, God is important, but in personal terms God is absent. We do not know what Jeremiah was doing before God embraced him. Was he merely passing the time, hanging out, making do? Many seem to be doing that today. But after God claimed Jeremiah, things changed radically for him. He now had a purpose!

Few individuals are designated “prophets” by God. But God has an interest in each individual. God desires to embrace each one personally and assure each one of God’s ongoing, caring presence. To reflect on Jeremiah’s experience is to be reminded of God’s intention and desire. Yes, there are times when God directs very particular messages through specific persons, like Moses or Jeremiah. But for the most part, God’s purpose is advanced by ordinary folk, people who love God and who respond positively to God’s prophets.

Those who recognize God’s embrace are able to keep moving ahead even when circumstances are grim. They believe God’s assurance of divine presence no matter what. Likewise, they recognize that divine displeasure is a real possibility that must be announced if social circumstances can be changed. So, as with Jeremiah, though not prophets themselves, they can and do take up the prophetic task of confronting others with God’s word. This challenge belongs to all who care about God’s desire for a peaceful and just world.

To understand and believe that one does not trudge through life alone and without any purpose changes one’s outlook in significant ways. You don’t ask that oft-repeated question “Is that all there is?” We do not live in isolation. We are part of a community with the God-given mission to live in the world in such a way that all may recognize the power and intent of God’s embrace.

For a quarter of a century, Jeremiah carried out his assignment. He was generally ignored, though sometimes he was attacked. What sustained him throughout his service was the assurance of God’s presence. That same assurance continues to be extended to any and all who will trust in God’s word. Many have claimed such a trust, but their way of life does not reflect such a commitment. Personal joy comes in accepting God’s embrace and celebrating each step forward toward God’s goal of a just peace for all people.

The Church: Living Out Jeremiah’s Call

Jeremiah was “‘appointed . . . a prophet to the nations’” (Jeremiah 1:5c). Today the church is challenged to continue this mission. To do this will require several different strategies, some directed at the church itself and others aimed at the wider society:

A fundamental realignment of the church’s priorities needs to be made. The goal is not to expand the church (though that may at times occur). The goal is to engage the “nations.” Jeremiah was given authority to reprimand nations and kingdoms. He was instructed to enter the realm of politics. For him, religion had a grave responsibility for society. The social and political structures that humans had created were the targets of Jeremiah’s declarations. To the degree that these foster injustice and/or inequality they are to be removed.

The church continues to have such a commission. There is a problem, however, in that many church members claim that religion and politics should be kept separate. Religion, they argue, has only to do with the “spiritual” and nothing to do with economics, justice systems, military operations, and so forth. Such a position has hampered the church for centuries. It contradicts Jeremiah, most of the other prophets, and Jesus himself. The church must give significant attention to this misunderstanding if it is to continue Jeremiah’s assignment.

Our society’s economic structure that rewards acquisition is in dire need of attention. For many, to gain riches and authority is the whole aim of life. Only by accumulating an overabundance of “things” can security be achieved (it is claimed). Thus, any behavior is justified so long as the goal is personal or national wealth and security. This is sometimes the result of unregulated capitalism.

There is no easy solution to this problem. A good, workable way for the “haves” to share fairly with the “have-nots” has yet to be developed. The church needs to encourage research and practice toward finding solutions. But again, many in the church do not understand this to be the church’s business. Education and a change in priorities are yet necessary.

The recognition that God is sovereign over all kingdoms and nations is often denied directly or indirectly. For some, only the United States, or perhaps Israel, can claim any special relationship with God. But that is not the message of Jeremiah or the other prophets. All nations and peoples belong to God. Many believe that divine judgment should fall on other nations. Jeremiah had a major job to do in convincing the people of Judah that they were just as responsible before God as the people of Assyria or Babylon. For many Christians in the United States, there is a similar denial of responsibility before God. Other nations, not the United States, deserve punishment. Jesus warned us to take care of the log in our own eye before worrying about the speck in the eye of another (Luke 6:41).

For Reflection and Action

1. How have you personally experienced a sense of God’s absence? Of God’s presence?

2. What difference does a sense of purpose add to a person’s life?

3. What are some appropriate ways for the church to engage in political action? Are there inappropriate ways?

4. Read Jeremiah 1 several times, and then read Romans 13:1–10, and compare t...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Listing of Six Themes Everyone Should Know series
• Introduction to the Six Themes Everyone Should Know series
• Introduction to Jeremiah
• Biblical Backgrounds to Jeremiah
• 1. Jeremiah: A Prophet like Moses
• 2. The Angry Dismay of God
• 3. The Mosaic Way Is God’s Desired Way
• 4. Sharing God’s Frustration and Pain
• 5. Discerning Truth in the Midst of Turmoil
• 6. God’s Ongoing Plan: A New Covenant
• Group Gatherings, by Mark D. Hinds
• Glossary
• Want to Know More?