Rev. David Appold, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Paducah, KY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 38:1-28.

Jeremiah continues to preach that only those who surrender to the Babylonians, earning him the scorn of King Zedekiah’s officials. Concerned only with military morale, they exert their power over Zedekiah to throw Jeremiah into a muddy cistern. It is an Ethiopian who finally speaks up on behalf of Jeremiah, prompting weak-willed Zedekiah to allow Ebed-melech to rescue the prophet. Jeremiah’s suffering and vindication serve as a foreshadow of the ministry of Jesus. Zedekiah secretly seeks Jeremiah’s counsel once again, desperately attempting to discern the times. Yet he fails because he does not heed the difficult but certain Word of God spoken by the prophet. In this way, Jeremiah’s faithful and consistent preaching reminds us that only God’s Word serves as a solid foundation.

“A Time to Destroy and a Time to Build” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Jeremiah. The prophet calls the people of Judah and Jerusalem to repent of their faithless idolatry and warns them of the destruction that is coming in the Babylonian exile. Yet Jeremiah does not leave us without hope in the midst of such dark days. Jeremiah and all who believe the Word of God he preached survive because of hope that is found in the righteous Branch from the line of David, Jesus Christ.

Rev. Stephen Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 37:1-21.

King Zedekiah, like his predecessors, did not listen to the Word of the LORD. Apart from faith, he asked Jeremiah to pray to the LORD, though the wicked king was already banking on the help of Egypt rather than the LORD. Jeremiah spoke the LORD’s Word faithfully as he had in the past. Though Babylon had temporarily left the siege, they would come back and destroy Jerusalem. When Jeremiah tried to use the temporary absence of the Babylonian army to take care of some family business in his hometown, he was falsely accused of desertion and imprisoned in horrible conditions. After some time, King Zedekiah secretly asked Jeremiah for a word from the LORD. Jeremiah responded faithfully yet again and questioned the king concerning his mistreatment. Though Zedekiah still did not trust the LORD’s Word, he did ease Jeremiah’s suffering to a degree.

“A Time to Destroy and a Time to Build” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Jeremiah. The prophet calls the people of Judah and Jerusalem to repent of their faithless idolatry and warns them of the destruction that is coming in the Babylonian exile. Yet Jeremiah does not leave us without hope in the midst of such dark days. Jeremiah and all who believe the Word of God he preached survive because of hope that is found in the righteous Branch from the line of David, Jesus Christ.

Rev. Sean Kilgo, pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lawrence, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 36:1-32.

Four years into the reign of King Jehoiakim, Jeremiah has been preaching for more than twenty years. The LORD now commands His faithful prophet to write down those words, which are not Jeremiah’s, but the LORD’s. Jeremiah does so by dictating to his faithful scribe, Baruch. Because Jeremiah has been banned from the temple, he sends Baruch to read the scroll at a time when a large crowd is gathered for a fast. One of the king’s servants hears the word of the LORD and, with the help of others, provides for the scroll to be read before King Jehoiakim. Rather than hearing in repentance and faith, as his father Josiah had once done, Jehoiakim burns the scroll one piece at a time and threatens Jeremiah and Baruch with death. The LORD keeps them safe, however, and provides that His Word be written faithfully a second time, in order to preserve it not only during the coming exile, but even to our day still.

“A Time to Destroy and a Time to Build” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Jeremiah. The prophet calls the people of Judah and Jerusalem to repent of their faithless idolatry and warns them of the destruction that is coming in the Babylonian exile. Yet Jeremiah does not leave us without hope in the midst of such dark days. Jeremiah and all who believe the Word of God he preached survive because of hope that is found in the righteous Branch from the line of David, Jesus Christ.

Rev. Steve Andrews, pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee’s Summit, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 35:1-19.

The LORD sends Jeremiah to speak to the Rechabites. In 1 Chronicles 2, the Rechabites are connected with the Kenites, a group of people that historically had good relations with the people of Israel. Jeremiah gathers the Rechabites with important witnesses in one of the chambers of the temple of the LORD. He sets before them wine and invites them to drink. They refuse Jeremiah’s offer out of obedience to a command given by their father Jonadab. Abstinence from wine is a part of the lifestyle he gave to them, which they have not given up even as they sought protection from the Babylonians by living in Jerusalem. The LORD commands Jeremiah to use this as an object lesson to His people. The key is the obedience of the Rechabites. They faithfully listened to their father’s command and obeyed what he had said. This stands in stark contrast with the people of Judah. They repeatedly refused to obey what the LORD had said, despite His persistence in sending them prophets. This text calls us to listen to the LORD’s Word now with repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

“A Time to Destroy and a Time to Build” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Jeremiah. The prophet calls the people of Judah and Jerusalem to repent of their faithless idolatry and warns them of the destruction that is coming in the Babylonian exile. Yet Jeremiah does not leave us without hope in the midst of such dark days. Jeremiah and all who believe the Word of God he preached survive because of hope that is found in the righteous Branch from the line of David, Jesus Christ.

Rev. Matt Ulmer, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bishop, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 34:1-22.

The situation is dire in Jerusalem. The Babylonians and the vassal states under their control have surrounded the city. Jeremiah is sent to wicked king Zedekiah to tell him that he will not escape. He will come face to face with Nebuchadnezzar once Jerusalem is captured. Though he will not die in battle, he will die in Babylon. Following this word from Jeremiah, Zedekiah leads the people of Jerusalem in a covenant by which they promise to set free their Hebrew slaves, according to the LORD’s Word in Exodus and Deuteronomy. Any repentance is short-lived, however. When the Babylonian army briefly withdraws to deal with Egypt, the residents of Jerusalem break their promise and enslave their brothers once more. Jeremiah proclaims the LORD’s judgment on His people for yet another broken promise. Their covenant ceremony of passing through pieces of a calf will come to bear on them in death and destruction at the hand of the returning Babylonian army. From such texts of judgment, Christians today are right to learn the urgency of true repentance in the heart in which the Lord in His mercy calls us to saving faith in Jesus.

“A Time to Destroy and a Time to Build” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Jeremiah. The prophet calls the people of Judah and Jerusalem to repent of their faithless idolatry and warns them of the destruction that is coming in the Babylonian exile. Yet Jeremiah does not leave us without hope in the midst of such dark days. Jeremiah and all who believe the Word of God he preached survive because of hope that is found in the righteous Branch from the line of David, Jesus Christ.

Rev. Brian Flamme, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Roswell, NM, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 33:1-26.

While Jeremiah is still imprisoned by King Zedekiah, the LORD brings His Word a second time. He reveals to Jeremiah His deeds that are not known to human reason. Despite the people’s attempts to stave off the Babylonians, the LORD will use them as His servants to bring His judgment upon His people. Yet the LORD still promises that He will rebuild His people as they had been at first, calling them back to true faith in Him. He will restore the sounds of joy to His people, ultimately in giving His Son as the bridegroom to His bride, the Church. Jesus will come as the righteous Branch from the line of David, the true and eternal King of God’s people; He will bestow His righteous name upon His people. He serves as the priest and advocate for God’s people before the Father. The covenant that is established in Jesus is eternal. Just as no man can break the LORD’s bringing of the day and the night, so no man will break the reign and covenant of forgiveness that God has established in Christ.

“A Time to Destroy and a Time to Build” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Jeremiah. The prophet calls the people of Judah and Jerusalem to repent of their faithless idolatry and warns them of the destruction that is coming in the Babylonian exile. Yet Jeremiah does not leave us without hope in the midst of such dark days. Jeremiah and all who believe the Word of God he preached survive because of hope that is found in the righteous Branch from the line of David, Jesus Christ.

Rev. Dr. Christopher Jackson, pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Algoma, WI and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Forestville, WI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 32:26-44.

The LORD answers Jeremiah’s prayer concerning his purchase of the field in Anathoth. The LORD declares that nothing is too hard for Him and reiterates His judgment upon the people of Judah and Jerusalem at the hands of the Babylonians. His people have provoked Him to anger by their idolatry, even as priests literally turned their back on the Most Holy Place to engage in the worship of other gods. For their abominations, the LORD will bring His destruction upon His people. His promise to His people is just as certain. He will bring His people back to dwell in safety and to worship Him alone. The land that He has made into a desolation He will restore once again. These promises find their ultimate fulfillment in the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

“A Time to Destroy and a Time to Build” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Jeremiah. The prophet calls the people of Judah and Jerusalem to repent of their faithless idolatry and warns them of the destruction that is coming in the Babylonian exile. Yet Jeremiah does not leave us without hope in the midst of such dark days. Jeremiah and all who believe the Word of God he preached survive because of hope that is found in the righteous Branch from the line of David, Jesus Christ.

Rev. Rick Jones, chaplain and director of spiritual life at the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch in Minot, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 32:1-25.

The destruction of Jerusalem is near. Jeremiah has been put in prison under house arrest by Zedekiah, the last king of Judah. When the king questions Jeremiah’s faithful preaching, the prophet responds by relating the Word from the LORD. The LORD commanded Jeremiah to buy a field in Anathoth from his cousin Hanamel. Though engaging in a real estate transaction when Judah is on the brink of disaster seems outlandish, Jeremiah does exactly as the LORD instructs. By this action, the LORD intends to proclaim to His people that He will restore them again. Jeremiah calls out to the LORD in prayer, naming Him as the Creator of all things and the Redeemer of Israel from slavery in Egypt. Though He had brought His people to the land of milk and honey, His people only disobeyed Him and worshiped other gods. For that reason, Jeremiah knows that the destruction of Judah that the LORD has foretold is certain, yet the promise of restoration, fulfilled ultimately in our Lord Jesus Christ, is just as certain.

“A Time to Destroy and a Time to Build” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Jeremiah. The prophet calls the people of Judah and Jerusalem to repent of their faithless idolatry and warns them of the destruction that is coming in the Babylonian exile. Yet Jeremiah does not leave us without hope in the midst of such dark days. Jeremiah and all who believe the Word of God he preached survive because of hope that is found in the righteous Branch from the line of David, Jesus Christ.

Rev. Jacob Dandy, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church and School in Terra Bella, CA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 31:27-40.

The LORD promises that days are coming when He will repopulate His people in their land; He will keep the promise He made concerning the Seed in Genesis 3. This act of new creation brings with it a new covenant. The people of God had broken the covenant that He had made with them at Sinai; therefore, He promises a new covenant that will be written not on tablets of stone, but upon their hearts. This new covenant will be based on the forgiveness of sins, fulfilled in the death and resurrection of Jesus and given in His Holy Supper. The LORD points to the workings of His creation that His love for His people will not cease; He will rebuild His people as His Church through the work of His Son, Jesus Christ.

“A Time to Destroy and a Time to Build” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Jeremiah. The prophet calls the people of Judah and Jerusalem to repent of their faithless idolatry and warns them of the destruction that is coming in the Babylonian exile. Yet Jeremiah does not leave us without hope in the midst of such dark days. Jeremiah and all who believe the Word of God he preached survive because of hope that is found in the righteous Branch from the line of David, Jesus Christ.

Rev. Philip Hoppe, pastor at Peace Lutheran Church in Finlayson, MN and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bruno, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Jeremiah 31:1-26.

Jeremiah continues his Book of Comfort with reminders of what the LORD did for His people in the Exodus; the return from exile would be another act of God’s undeserved everlasting love for His people. This salvation would bring the return of joyful sounds in the land of Israel as the LORD acted on behalf of His dearly loved child. Jerusalem would once again be the place of feasting. Though the exile was a deeply grievous event, the LORD promised return and resurrection for His people. His discipline and words of judgment were an act of love in order to show His mercy. Such a comforting promise, fulfilled in our Lord Jesus Christ, brought Jeremiah hope in his day even as it still continues to bring us hope for eternal life in the Savior.

“A Time to Destroy and a Time to Build” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Jeremiah. The prophet calls the people of Judah and Jerusalem to repent of their faithless idolatry and warns them of the destruction that is coming in the Babylonian exile. Yet Jeremiah does not leave us without hope in the midst of such dark days. Jeremiah and all who believe the Word of God he preached survive because of hope that is found in the righteous Branch from the line of David, Jesus Christ.