The Lord condemned the religious leaders who led His people astray and promised to execute justice against them. He told of the coming Savior from the lineage of David who would be known as “The Lord is our righteousness”. He continued to condemn the prophets who were falsely using His name without seeking His counsel. They prophesied lies and led His people away from Him. Jeremiah received a vision from God of a basket of very good figs and a basket of very bad figs. The Lord used these baskets to explain His blessings on those who were taken into exile and His judgement to come on those who turned from Him.

Zedekiah, King of Judah, sent the priests to inquire of Jeremiah concerning Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, who was making war against them. The word came to Jeremiah from the Lord that the people would fall to Babylon. Some would die, and those who were spared would be taken into captivity. The Lord warned the people of Judah He would punish them according to their deeds. The Lord’s chosen people refused to listen and obey, so the Lord pronounced destruction and captivity on the land and His people.

The Lord told Jeremiah to go to the Valley of the Son of Hinnom with a flask and deliver a prophesy. The Lord proclaimed destruction because the people worshipped Baal and other man-made gods. He ordered Jeremiah to break the flask to show how the people would be destroyed beyond repair. He told Jeremiah to prophesy destruction for those who worshiped other gods. Jeremiah was beaten by Pashhur, the priest. He was released and continued to prophesy. The Lord proclaimed that His people would be taken captive, and their possessions would be taken. Jeremiah complained to the Lord for his suffering and persecution.

The Lord continued to condemn His people for turning to other gods and trusting in man. The man who turned from the Lord is cursed, but the man who trusts in the Lord is blessed. Jeremiah asked the Lord to deliver him from his enemies. The Lord commanded His people to keep the Sabbath day holy. He would bless His people only if they obeyed His command. The Lord told Jeremiah that His people were like clay and the Lord was the potter. He said He would fashion blessings for those who turned to Him and followed His commands. Jeremiah once again asked the Lord to deliver him from those who sought to kill him.

The Lord’s anger burned toward His people because they continued to turn from Him. Jeremiah pleaded with God to show him mercy. The Lord said He would show Jeremiah mercy, and the people would fight against him without success. The Lord told Jeremiah He would destroy those who turned from Him and followed the ways of their fathers. They worshipped other gods and ignored the Lord. Jeremiah was instructed to share this message with the people, but not to have fellowship with them, or mourn them. The Lord promised there would be a time He would restore Israel and bring His people back to their rightful place.

The Lord gave prophesy through Jeremiah that the house of Israel and Judah would not listen. The kings, priests, and prophets would be out of their minds and would rise against each other. The Lord’s people would be taken into captivity because of their sin, and they would be scattered like empty shells carried by the wind. God warned of a famine in the land because of their sin and unfaithfulness. The Lord confronted false prophets who told the people they would not be destroyed by famine and sword. The Lord said the lying prophets would experience famine and the sword. The prophet attempted to excuse the people for following the message of the false prophets and asked for mercy.

The Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah to speak to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. The Lord warned them to hear His commands and to follow the covenant given to their fathers who did not obey. Their children also chose to turn to gods made with human hands who could not hear their prayers or save them. The Lord promised judgement and destruction upon those who sought to kill Jeremiah because of his prophesies. Jeremiah complained to the Lord that those who did evil prospered. The Lord confirmed He would judge evil, then show mercy to those who turn and follow His commands.

The Lord continued to condemn the lies of His people. They claimed to love their neighbor, yet devised evil against them. They claimed to be the people of God, but they worshipped false gods created by man. The Lord declared He would pass judgement upon the people who were circumcised physically but not in heart. They followed gods that will be destroyed. Their gods were unable to hear or respond to prayers. The Lord created all things, and He is above all things. He will correct His people and will destroy His enemies.

The Lord’s people gave sacrifices to other gods and did not turn to Him. He reminded them through Jeremiah of their father’s sins and how He rescued them from slavery and provided for them. He gave them the land He promised, but their sins multiplied. The Lord warned His people that He would punish them for their sins. They showed no shame but continued to turn away from the Lord. Jeremiah mourned his people because of their suffering and punishment.

The Lord’s people continued to sin against Him. He warned that they would receive justice because they worshipped the gods of other nations. His message was that they would also serve the people of other nations because of their idolatry. The people were warned they would experience war and would be overtaken by their enemies. They were not ashamed of their sin and continued to rebel against the Lord. They would be refined by fire as metal is cleansed of impurities through fire. Their testing has proven to be unproductive, so they would be consumed by the fire.