Bible Reading Plan

Jeremiah spoke of anguish over the punishment of Judah and his personal sorrow. However, he remembered the love and mercies of the Lord which he described as being new every morning. He proclaimed the Lord as faithful. The Lord will show compassion on His people. Jeremiah called for the Lord’s people to turn to the Lord and lift their hearts and hands to God. He trusted the Lord to pass judgement on his enemies, on those who did him harm.

Jeremiah is thought to be the author of Lamentations. Jeremiah prophesied of the destruction of Judah because the people turned from the Lord. The people called Jeremiah a liar and sought to kill him, but he was still filled with sorrow when the prophesies were fulfilled. This book expresses his great sorrow and anguish. The land was described as desolate, and its people were described as having no hope. The Lord’s anger was poured out on Zion, His chosen place. His judgement was harsh and overwhelming. The enemies of Judah rejoiced. The Lord’s promises were fulfilled.

Jeremiah recounted the fall of Jerusalem. Zedekiah, king of Judah fled and was captured by the Chaldeans. His sons were killed, his eyes were gouged, and he was taken to Babylon where he was in prison until his death. The Chaldeans burned Jerusalem and took the items of value from the house of the Lord. Nebuchadnezzar was succeeded by Evil-merodach as king of Babylon. He released Jehoiachin from prison. Jehoiachin was given food and his needs were met for the remainder of his life.

Jeremiah described the judgement to come on Babylon for their deeds against the Lord’s people. The Lord would be vindicated, and Babylon would be utterly destroyed. Their idols would be destroyed, and the people would be attacked from every side.

The Lord declared judgement on the people of Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Kedar and Hazor, and Elam. Cities were described as plundered and laid waste because of His judgement against them. Jeremiah was given prophesy concerning the time when the Lord’s people would be freed from Babylon. The people of Israel and Judah would come together and seek the Lord, and He would lead them as sheep back to their home. Jeremiah prophesied that Babylon and the land of the Chaldeans would be overtaken and left desolate. They would be punished for their deeds against the Lord’s people.

The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah concerning the judgement on the Philistines. The Lord spoke condemnation to specific cities that would be overcome by enemy from the north. His judgement would not be subdued until He demanded it to end. The people of Moab are condemned because they trusted in their own works and in their possessions. Their men of war will be conquered, and their city will be desolate. Judgement was proclaimed against all the cities of Moab. The Lord promised to restore Moab at a future date and end their judgement.

Jeremiah gave the Lord’s message for Baruch. Great sorrow and loss had occurred, so Baruch was told not to seek great possessions for himself. The Lord promised to spare Baruch and to provide safety. The message of the Lord came to Jeremiah concerning punishment on Egypt and on the people of the Lord. He proclaimed destruction and captivity for Egypt. He proclaimed captivity for His people, but He confirmed His mercy to come. He promised a time when He would restore His people from captivity and punish their enemies.

The remaining people in Judah disobeyed the Lord and went to Egypt. The Lord spoke to Jeremiah, and he prophesied that Nebuchadnezzar would rule over Egypt and would burn the temples of their gods. He warned the people of Judah who went to Egypt that they would be punished because they disobeyed the Lord and because they gave offerings to the queen of heaven. They refused to listen to Jeremiah and vowed to worship the queen of heaven. Jeremiah warned them the Lord would punish them. The Lord promised the sign that He would give Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt into the hands of his enemies.

Jeremiah was given the option to go with the captain of the guard to Babylon or return to Judah. Jeremiah returned to Judah and lived under Gedaliah whom Nebuchadnezzar named as governor. The king of the Ammonites sent Ishmael to kill Gedaliah. Ishmael killed Gedaliah and slaughtered the men who came against him and placed their bodies in a cistern. Johanan heard of Ishmael’s evil deeds and went to fight against him. Those taken captive by Ishmael returned home. Johanan and others remaining in Judah asked Jeremiah to seek word from the Lord. The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, and he warned the people not to flee to Egypt.

Jeremiah was placed in a cistern because of his prophesies. An Ethiopian eunuch by the name of Ebed-melech convinced Zedekiah to allow him to remove Jeremiah from the cistern, but Jeremiah remained in the court. Jeremiah shared additional prophesy with Zedekiah and was protected from his enemies. The Chaldeans overtook Judah. Zedekiah and his guards fled, but the Chaldeans overtook him, put out his eyes, and took him to Babylon. Most of the remaining people were taken into captivity. The Lord told Jeremiah He would spare the Ethiopian eunuch who saved him from the cistern because of his faith in the Lord. Jeremiah was released from the guard and his life was spared by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon.