TThe Weeping Prophet: A Message of Destruction

The Prophet Jeremiah

Jeremiah (“YHWH will arise”) is considered to be one of the “major prophets” in the Canon along with Isaiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel.  The Hebrew Bible categorizes the books in a different manor, such that, they classify many books as “Latter Prophets.”  These Latter Prophets (15), encompass the major and minor prophets of the Canon with the exception of Lamentations and Daniel that the Hebrew Bible calls “The Writings.”

Regardless of the classification by the theologians, Jeremiah was a prophet of God called at an incredibly youthful age to bring a message that was not one which Israel wanted to hear.

Some historians believe the man Jeremiah lived (650 – 570 BC) after the fall of the northern tribes and prior to and after the fall of Judah including Jerusalem. Still, others delay his birth to circa 640 BC.  Jeremiah was the son of Hilkiah, a Jewish priest, from the Benjamite village of Anathoth. He is the author of his prophetic book and is also credited with writing the books of Lamentations and Kings – alone or in concert with his scribe, Baruch.

The age of his calling is described as 628/626 BC, while his ministry did not begin until 622 BC.  What occurred in those intervening years is unknown.  Can a young person be called into God’s service?  Well, certainly there are multiple examples of how God, in His wisdom, called young men (boys) into His service – including Samuel, David, Solomon, and more.

Jeremiah’s father was one of eighteen high priests, pre-exilic.  His father served during the time of king Josiah.  He is also known for finding a lost copy of the Book of the Law at the Temple during Josiah’s reign.

The Call

The opening verses of his book tell us that he was called in the 13th year of Josiah, son of Amon.  The verses bookend his service from Josiah through Zedekiah when the people of Jerusalem were carried off into exile in Babylon.

Did the call actually happen in his teen years or before?  The Bible tells us that God, “knew him before he was formed.” (Jeremiah 1:5) And in fact, set him apart for service.  The Hebrew word could mean “consecrated” for service.

Jeremiah, as young as he was, said, “I do not know how to respond. I am only a child.”  The LORD was quick to say, “Do not say I am only a child!”  Sounds like a rebuke!  The LORD gives him some instructions.

Table I

The Bible tells us that God reached out and touched his lips.  “Now, I have p ut my words in your mouth.” (Jeremiah 1:9).  Some scholars suggest that God’s touching infers that God’s divine hand of touching, empowered Jeremiah with God’s words in his mouth.   His mission was not one of saving God’s people from their enemies, rather, to predict their destruction.  Jeremiah, while young, was not without vision of God’s signs and signals.

Jeremiah, not unlike his predecessor, Moses, said, “I do not know how to speak.
(Jeremiah 1:6).  Unlike his predecessor Moses, he was a young man versus Moses at the age of eighty!

Author’s Note:  As a babe in arms, I was called to be in God’s covenant of grace via baptism by water and the WORD.  I did not know what God had in mind for me in His service but was confident that I was under the covenant of His grace and mercy based on the blood of the Lamb of God that saves me.  Why then is it not possible for God to call one in his teenage years to serve Him? The answer is that it is God’s world and His will that we all serve, including Jeremiah. . .and me.

Confirmation

The LORD continued to dialogue with His servant Jeremiah.  He said, “What do you see?”  The prophet replied, “I see the branch of an almond tree.”  This is the first of ten prophetic lessons for God’s prophet, Jeremiah. (See Table II for the list of 10 Lessons) This first object lesson shows the significance of how the almond tree announces spring and that God will carry out His threats of punishment just as spring brings forth fruit to the almond tree.  Not good news!  The second follows quickly when the LORD says, “What do you see?”  Jeremiah replies, “I see a boiling pot, tilting away from the north.”  And the LORD said, “From the north disaster will be poured out on all who live in the land.”  The prophesy was that God will punish Judah with an invasion from the north.  We know of course that the Assyrians continued to attempt an invasion and capture of the southern tribes.

Following the second of ten lessons, God made it known that Jeremiah was to get the southern tribes “ready.”  Stand up and say to them whatever I command you.” (Jeremiah 1:17)

God’s pronouncement does not come without protection for His servant.  Listen: “I will be with you and will rescue you.” (Jeremiah 1:19).

Table II: Jeremiah’s Prophetic Lessons

The Book: Jeremiah

Compared to the other books in the “major prophet” category, Jeremiah is the longest with 21,835 words compared to Isaiah’s 16,932 and Ezekiel’s 18,730. (Source: agapebiblestudy.com/Jeremiah) Interestingly, the Hebrew Bible places Jeremiah immediately following the Book of Kings, which could have been authored by Jeremiah.  Also, of note, the ending in 2 Kings 25:27-30 is identical to the ending in Jeremiah 52:31-34.  The repeated ending describes the Babylonian release of the former king of Judah, Jehoiachin, treating him with respect in his final days.

My title for this paper is “The Weeping Prophet: A Message of Destruction.” Jeremiah was indeed God’s agent of unwelcome news for the long resistant people of God who had continued to ignore the True God and His precepts.  God’s covenant presented to His people at Sinai had long been forgotten.  (See Exodus 24:7 for their pledge swearing allegiance to YHWH).  Jeremiah, as God’s spokesman, acted like a prosecuting attorney that leveled charges against Israel for their failure to keep their promise at Sinai

Jeremiah served under five kings totaling 40 years.  Jeremiah began his ministry under Josiah and concluded under the last king of Judah, Zedekiah.

Table III: Jeremiah’s Kings

# in the genealogy of Jesus; @ Good king

As the Table III indicates, Josiah was the last of the good kings in Judah.  Jeremiah preached throughout Israel concerning their idolatry, greedy priests, and false prophets.  Chapter seven pictures Jeremiah standing at the door of the Temple saying, “Hear the WORD of the LORD, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the LORD.”  “REFORM (emphasis added) your ways and your actions and I will let you live in this place.”  (Jeremiah 7:2b-3).  His moniker of the “weeping prophet” is shown in chapter eight when he says, “my heart is faint within me.” (Jeremiah 8:18)

His ministry was replete with persecution and attempts on his life – that included men from his own hometown.  But his book is not all about destruction as we see a message of hope in chapters 30-33 (a/k/a Book of Comfort) as God pledges His continued promise to preserve a faithful remnant, and the eventual return from their Babylonian captivity.  He opens the 31st chapter repeating God’s word: “I will come to give rest to Israel.”  (Jeremiah 31:2)

Rest:  This word carries particular importance as Jesus himself used this word in Matthew 11:28, “Come unto Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  Again, in Hebrews, we see that those of faith will enter rest (eternal).  (Hebrew 4:3)

The well-known Jeremiah 31:31 promises a “new covenant” for God’s people: “The time is coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.”   In chapter 33 God spells out in detail His forgiving nature and healing spirit for His people.  Listen!  “I will bring health and healing. . .I will heal my people and let them enjoy abundant peace and security.  I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and rebuild them as they were before. . . I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins.”  (Jeremiah 33:6-8) And that’s Gospel!

The Persecution

During much of his career as a prophet of the Almighty, he was persecuted for his messages regardless of their origin (from God). His ministry resulted in plots against him.  In chapter 11, God commanded and proclaimed the message of repentance in the streets, but they ignored Jeremiah and the message.  As such, God signaled that they cannot escape His judgment. (Jeremiah 11:17) Conspiracy to annihilate Jeremiah was revealed to him by the LORD that protected his life.  Chapter 12 notes Jeremiah’s complaint only to be told that the times will get worse!  He was beaten and put into stocks by his people.  Chapter 26 continues to show Israel’s defiance at God’s commands.  As Jeremiah preached on the steps of the Temple, the people seized him.  In the end, Jeremiah met his death in Egypt, yet still seeking to turn his people back to God and His eternal covenant.  There is no authentic record of his death per se.

The Prophet(s) Comparison

Interestingly, Jeremiah as a prophet of YHWH has some similarities and/or differences to the Lawgiver and Prophet, Moses, and to YHWH himself, the only begotten Son of God who surpassed all prophets of old.

Let us begin with Moses.  The Tables IV/V below list the comparative features of each.

Table IV: Moses: Jeremiah Comparison

There is also an additional comparison of Jeremiah’s prophetic teaching and Moses’ last song in Deuteronomy 32.

(Source: agapebiblestudy.com/Jeremiah/Jeremiah_Lesson_2.htm, pages 7-8)

Table V: Jeremiah: Jesus Comparison

Regardless of Jeremiah’s tribulations, they cannot compare to his LORD and Savior, the son of David.  The comparisons used here were taken from agapebiblestudy.com/Jeremiah.

A brief note regarding the number “40.”  Not only does this number represent the number of years of service as God’s emissary for both Moses and Jeremiah, but it also has significance in the years of wandering, the days of Jesus’ time of fasting after His baptism, and the days between His resurrection and ascension.

What Does This Mean?

My review of this great man of God revealed to me that none of us is exempt from God’s calling and His divine will, regardless of the physical outcome.  As in the case of both Moses and Jeremiah, they served in turbulent times and had many hurdles to overcome – some successfully and others not.  Each of these prophets was not greater than their maker and did not sustain the overall rejection that our LORD did on the cross of Calvary.

It is also clear that God does not waver from His divine covenant and promises to sustain those who are faithful.  And yes, He promises to forgive the misgivings of prior sins if we only look to Him and Him alone.  The foreign gods may vary from time-to-time, but the same result exists – total separation from the God of salvation.

The southern tribes suffered decades of slavery again at the hands of the Babylonians due to their rejection of God’s covenant.  Yet, He allowed the faithful remnant to return to the Promised Land.  While Jeremiah is categorized as the “Weeping Prophet,” he nevertheless delivered every message that the LORD placed in his mouth, even to his own demise.

Today, the world suffers greatly at the hands of God’s enemies, whether by government action, in times of trouble, or in times of peace.  We must remain faithful to God’s calling as He has called each of us to be with Him eternally via our washing of regeneration in the waters of baptism.    Praise God for all who have served, are serving, and those who are yet to come in service.

Peace

Connected in Him, I stand

GHR