Jeremiah & Lamentations

Write one paragraph explaining the historical background and purpose of the prophet.

      The first verse in Jeremiah tells us a lot about him. His father is Hilkiah who was a priest from the town of Anathoth in Benjamin. So we know Jeremiah was from a priestly line, but had lived in Benjamin. The original readers were in captivity in Babylon (52:31). The authors of this book are Jeremiah and Baruch (36:4). Jeremiah and Baruch wrote this to show the people what they had done wrong to deserve captivity. They also give the people hope that they one day have identity again. They lost it all to the Babylonian Empire, but God says that after 70 years they will be restored (29:10). God is angry at His people because of their sins, especially idol worship (2:13-17, 5:19, 13:27, 51:17-18). Their sin has led them to destruction (4:20, 9:22, 14:12, 34:17). God is great in His mercy (7:4-6) and He does say that there will be restoration.

     In Lamentations Jeremiah grieves about Judah's sin and punishment while understanding that it is because of their sin. Basically he is talking about the destruction of Jerusalem and the anguish of their sin, but ends with faith in God (2:16 5:19).

What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

      We get a great picture into the character and nature of God as He interacts with Jeremiah. God tells Jeremiah who He has appointed him to be (1:5-8). He speaks identity into him. God gives him the words to speak (1:9) and tells him that it will not be easy (1:10). God leads Jeremiah as a father by doing all of these things. He doesn't lie to him and say things will be easy, but he gives him the identity and the tools he needs to complete the task ahead. God is faithful to Jeremiah though the world around him hates him (15:11). God is an unquenchable fire (4:4), just (9:9), He examines the deepest thoughts of man (11:20), and He is the potter (18:6). One thing I love about God is that He doesn't choose people because of their high positions, nor does He hold back judgment against people because of their high positions (1:7, 34:19). God calls Jeremiah when he is just a boy and He judges everyone from the officials of Judah to the common people.

     Lamentations shows God as being angry, furious, and a destroyer (2:2-9). Though Jeremiah is lamenting about all that has happened to Jerusalem he still has faith in God and says, “The faithful love of the Lord never end!” (3:22). We really get God's heart for all that we see in Jeremiah and Lamentations in 3:33. It's not fun for God to hurt His people. This is the only way for God to help the people turn from their wickedness and so out of love He brings destruction.

What does this book show about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

      I found at least 15 references to God's redemptive plan in Jeremiah. In the midst of judgment God is still talking about redeeming them. He promises many times to bring His people back to the land (3:14-18, 16:15, 29:10-14, 30:18-22, 31:17-23, 46:27). I found three examples of Jeremiah prophesying about the coming Messiah (23:4-8, 30:8-9, 33:14-17). God is dedicated to His people and always has a message of hope for them no matter how awful their sin is. He calls for repentance, but with repentance He brings undeserved restoration. Judah's sins were great, but God promised that after 70 years if they turned from their sin that they would be free (29:10). This book shows that God's redemption plan is patient and full of mercy. It comes with a price, but it is a small price compared to what is deserved.

     In the great despair of Jeremiah throughout Lamentations there is a gleam of hope. God is good to everyone who depends on Him and seeks Him (3:25). To them He brings salvation (3:26). I think the key phrase for this book and for the book of Jeremiah is found in 3:31. It says, “For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever.” The original readers would have held tightly to this promise from God. He is coming to save them, as long as they put their faith in Him alone, He wont leave them to exile forever.

Personal Application

      Being in a place where we get teaching from all over the world and from all different religious backgrounds this message was perfect from Jeremiah. To watch out for those who preach peace when there is no peace and those who have teachings not based on the word of God. It's so important for me to test what is being taught and not simply to agree because it sounds nice or makes me feel good. It's been a struggle here in many different ways to try and filter what is from God and what is not.
Jeremiah gave me a new encouragement to be sure to do this so that I don't fall into believing false teaching. Many times teachers with teach or preachers will preach and they bring great messages, but sometimes they aren't always based on anything firm. Their teachings are from their experiences, but they don't necessarily reflect what the word of God says. Just like the prophets in Jeremiah's time who were saying things because they sounded good and people treated them well for it.