“Jeremiah” means “The Lord exalts.” Jeremiah was a voice for God that wouldn’t back down.
-Jeremiah 1:9 “The Lord touched his mouth.” He made him a speaker. The purpose of his ministry was:
1) to uproot, destroy, overthrow
2) To build, plant
To ever get to plant, there must first be an uprooting. It’s the same politically and spiritually. For God to plant and build there must be brokenness within us. Pride must be overthrown.
Jeremiah was the greatest spiritual figure of his time. Born in Anathoth, 646 BC. His father Hilkiah was probably the person who found the Book of the Law. Abiathar, the sole survivor of King Saul’s slaying of the priests was probably Jeremiah’s grandfather. Jeremiah’s life was not a happy one. He has been called “the weeping prophet.” Began serving as a prophet at age 20. Never married, no indication he had any disciples. He knew what it was like to be alone. Served for 40 years.
- 669-630 BC Dissolution of the Assyrian empire.
- 626 BC Jeremiah called into service.
- 612 BC Fall of Ninevah
- 609 BC Death of Josiah
- 605 BC Battle of Egypt and Babylonia. This battle defined Babylon as a world empire.
- 605 BC First siege on Jerusalem, Daniel exiled.
- 597 Second siege by Nebuchadnezzar. Ezekiel exiled.
- 588-86 Third siege. Beginning of Babylonian captivity.
Jeremiah had more opposition than any other prophet. His message was “unconditional surrender.” Babylon was used as God’s tool. Jeremiah told Judah to surrender to Babylon.
When Jesus asked, “Who do people say I am?” one answer given was “Jeremiah.” He is given great respect in scripture.
- Jeremiah began to preach in the 13th year of the reign of Josiah (a Godly king).
- After Josiah, Jehoahaz reigned 3 months. Jehoiakim instated 609-597. He really opposed Jeremiah, spiritually and politically. He was known as “the most ungodly of Judah’s kings.” In Jehoiakim’s 11th year, Babylon was conquered.
- Johoiachin reigned 3 months. Then Zedekiah reigned 597-586. He was another son of Josiah. Put on the throne by Nebuchadnezzar as a puppet king. Declined Jeremiah’s counsel of submitting to Babylon and brought on the third siege and fall of Jerusalem. Gedaliah, the governor of Judah is murdered; many people, including Jeremiah and his secretary Baruch go to Egypt. This is the end of Israel being ruled by kings that began with Saul.
- Jeremiah 1:4-8 Jeremiah’s call. God knit a relationship with Jeremiah and set him apart.
- Psalm 139:13 God knows each of us intimately and want a a relationship with everyone. Verse 16, He waits in expectation while we are in the womb.
-Sanctification has two parts: 1) God’s part through the blood of Jesus. 2) Our part.
- 2 Timothy 2:20-21 God opens the door, but we need to walk through it.
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 We are then prepared to do every good work. Jeremiah was busy for the 40 years after he was called.
- Jeremiah 1:10 Appointed to the ministry to the nations. This is not a “community church” concept.
- Jeremiah 1:6 Jeremiah had excuses, just like us! In verse 7-8 God always empowers those he calls. Jeremiah remembered God was with him and didn’t water down the message. His life was one of rejection. He had low times, but never walked away from God. He was a weak man made powerful through his walk with God.
