Jeremiah

by J. R. Luck | Category: Character Studies | Jul 1969

The writer confesses to neglect of this prophet but, on a recent re-reading (with Lamentations), he was thrilled by the consideration of the man and his message. He will be able to convey little of this in the space allotted.

Jeremiah was of the priestly family of Abiathar and was born in Anathoth (one of the four cities given to the Levites from the tribe of Benjamin at the settlement in Canaan). It is suggested that his personality is delineated more sharply than that of any other Old Testament prophet. The book which bears his name covers a period from B.C. 626 to 587. In 1956, ancient manuscripts called "The Babylonian Chronicle", were discovered (or rediscovered) in the British Museum, which authenticate its authorship and history. It is generally assumed that Jeremiah was unmarried. In some respects, he resembled John the Baptist, and was austere in life and manner, uncompromising in word and judgement.

What a scene of apostasy Jeremiah saw around him! Little wonder he is sometimes called "the weeping prophet". In his poetic Lamentations and prophecies he seems to be anticipating the grief of the later exiles, who sat down by the rivers of Babylon and wept. (cf. 9.1-2 and Psalm 137).

In chapter one we read of his God given assignment, the undertaking of which he commenced as a young man in the thirteenth year of good king Josiah sixty years after the death of Isaiah. He was the last of the prophets before the Babylonian exile and lived during the reigns of the last five kings of Judah, namely, Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah. He was contemporary with Zephaniah, Habakkuk and Daniel.

The name Jeremiah means "Jah is high" (Dr Young). This, perhaps, is indicative of Jeremiah's character. He exalts God above all, believing that He orders events for the ultimate good of His people (10.10-16).

The following are some of Jeremiah's outstanding characteristics:

Genuine humility (1.6). This is a necessary element in the character of all servants of God. It was characteristic of Moses (Exodus 3.11, 4.10), Gideon (Judges 6.15), Isaiah (6.5) and Paul (Ephesians 3.8).

Great patience. For twenty-three trying and disappointing years Jeremiah prophesied and exhorted the people (25.3) having as his inspiration Jehovah Himself (7.25-26, 25.4).

Unflinching faith in God, His word and purposes. This is seen throughout, but at its most spectacular in the incident of his purchase of a field from his cousin Hanamel (32). As we consider the circumstances of this act of faith our spirits should be thrilled and our faith confirmed. The field was situated in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin which was already in possession of the Chaldeans. This fact may have influenced Hanamel in selling out while he could. At this time Jeremiah was under guard in Jerusalem and knew that Nebuchadnezzar's army was at the gates of the city and nothing would prevent them taking it. Despite all this he weighs the purchase money, signs and seals the title deeds in duplicate, and gives instructions for their safe keeping. There is no doubt whatever in his mind, for the LORD had said, "houses and fields and vineyards shall yet again be bought in this land" (32.15, 43.44). He knows there is nothing too hard for God who made the heavens and the earth, and so, against all adverse circumstances, he goes forward with superb confidence.

Deep social consciousness. Jeremiah was a sincere patriot and loved the Land and the City deeply. God's chosen people had lived for upwards of eight hundred years in a small, divinely allocated, tract of land and were a closely integrated race. The prophet deplored the declension of the people which had brought God's righteous judgements on them. These were momentous and stirring times. Babylon in the north and Egypt in the south were constantly struggling for supremacy, overrunning the cockpit of Israel time and again. It was a period of tremendous tension and trial of faith but Jeremiah stood firm in his ardent love for the land and the people. Though, at times, he appears to advise conciliation toward both Egypt and Babylon, his motive is never in question; it is for the ultimate good of the people for, when God has tried them, He will bring them back again. In common with all Old Testament prophets his godly patriotism calls for national righteousness, for judgement blended with mercy and for care of the poor and needy, the fatherless and widow. His most caustic tones are reserved for those who wax fat at the expense of their unfortunate fellows, and who grow rich by robbery and deceit (5.2fi-29, 9.23-24.22.3, 13-17).

Much suffering for the sake of his God. For his uncompromising witness he was put in the stocks (20.1-2) and knew ridicule and derision all the day (20.7-8). False prophets sought his death (26.8-11). He was imprisoned many days on a false charge of deserting to the enemy (37.11-16), was cast into a dark miry dungeon, from which he had to be lifted by means of ropes and rags under his arm pits (38.6-13), and he was kept in the prison court until the city was captured (38.28). Given the choice of going into Babylon or remaining with the poorest of the people in the land he chose the latter. Later, when this despised remnant was carried captive into Egypt, he accompanied them, remaining courageously true to his God until he died at Taphnes. Scripture adds no further details but tradition has it that he was stoned to death.

Jeremiah's divine assignment (chapter 1) was to the kings of Judah, "who hearkened not" (17.19-20); to false prophets who "prophesied by Baal" (2.8) and who spoke "lies in My name" (14.14), and by lying vision and divination (23.16), Who were also profane (23.11), and said, peace, peace, when there was no peace (6.14). It was also to priests who bare rule by means of the false prophets (5.31), who handle the law but know Me not (2.8); and to scribes whose pens wrought falsely (8.8). Even when the record of Jeremiah's true prophecies was dramatically burnt by the king (36.24) these scribes were not afraid nor did they rend their garments. Jeremiah wrote also to pastors (shepherds) who caused the people to go astray (50.6). He grieves that "the shepherds are become brutish, and have not enquired of the LORD: therefore they have not prospered, and all their flocks are scattered" (10.21). To such faithless shepherds he writes, "Woe unto the shepherds that destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture" (23.1). His message extends to the people, planted a noble vine (2.21), yet who had rejected the LORD (15:6), in that they had forgotten Him (18.15), becoming sottish children without understanding (4.22), and who "love to have it so" (5.31). "The word of the LORD is become unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it" (6:10), they have walked... " after the Baalim" (9.14), "In the stubbornness of their evil heart ... they went backward and not forward" (7.24). This brought neither shame nor blush (8:12).

Jeremiah, being divinely guided, accurately foretells the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, the burning of the city and the looting of the temple, and that king Zedekiah would be taken and blinded and his sons slain; also the Babylonian captivity of seventy years, at the end of which the remnant would return. Consistently he maintained this, against the false prophets' declaration of a two years exile. Further he spoke of the worldwide dispersion of the Jews when Jerusalem would be trodden down of the Gentiles, and of their final regathering and blessing under the Branch in the Davidic kingdom, governed by the New Covenant written on their heart. (31.31-34). Still further he foresees the final judgement of the Gentiles and the gathering of all nations to battle (Armageddon).

Chapters 46-51 contain his prophecies and judgements against the nations of Egypt, Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Kedar, Elam and Babylon. What a remarkable execution of a divine commission by an outstanding man!

In conclusion, against a scene of nation-wide apostasy, we see in Jeremiah's message the long-suffering of Jehovah towards His rebellious people." I have sent unto you all My servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them; yet they hearkened not" (7.25-26). All this conveys a message from the Lord to us living in an idolatrous age, to shepherds, lest being affected by the tendencies of the permissive society in which we live, we should blur the outlines of separation and dedication; to teachers and preachers to remain true to the word of God at all costs; to the Lord's people generally, lest, being given to covetousness, the Scriptures of Truth should lose their attraction and we should go backwards and not forwards. The call of the Lord, through Jeremiah, is very apposite, "Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls". God forbid that His people should ever again say "we will not walk therein"

(6.16).

J. R. Luck | Jul 1969
Character Studies