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A theme that hung in the background yesterday will be brought to the fore today, as the LORD assures multiple people that He is dealing with them justly according to their own deeds… everyone shall die for his own sin.    

In the opening chapter the LORD sends Jeremiah to King Zedekiah, when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army and all the kingdoms of the earth under his dominion and all the peoples were fighting against Jerusalem and all of its cities…  The LORD promises Zedekiah that He shall not escape, but shall see the king of Babylon eye to eye… and will go to Babylon.  Everyone shall die for his own sin.

Later in the chapter the king and his subjects bring disaster upon themselves by first releasing their slaves and then re-enslaving them.  It’s unclear why they made such a move, but it’s identical to that which the Egyptians attempted during the Exodus.  The LORD calls them to account twice: for how they profaned His name in taking back their slaves, and for holding them for so long – in violation of His law in Leviticus – in the first place.  Everyone shall die for his own sin.

Chapter 35 has a flashback to a visit from the Rechabites, a nomadic tribe whose ancestors had vowed “to drink no wine all our days, ourselves, our wives, our sons, and our daughters…”  Even when offered wine by Jeremiah, in the LORD’s house, they refused.  The LORD promises to honor their vow, but holds them up before the people of Judah as a contrast to their own unfaithfulness, and rejection of the prophets.  Everyone shall die for his own sin.

Another flashback in chapter 36 shows Jeremiah sending Baruch, his scribe, to read in the LORD’s house a scroll prophesying “that the king of Babylon will certainly come and destroy this land…”  The king burns the scroll, and fails to lament its contents.  Therefore the king, Jehoiakim, “shall have none to sit on the throne of David…”  Everyone shall die for his own sin.

Throughout today’s reading, listen for the repeated refrain, “…but they would not hear.”  Though the chronology skips around, the theme is resoundingly clear: Judah, Jerusalem, and her kings, have been fairly warned, yet they would not hear…  Everyone shall die for his own sin. 

Our verse for this week is Hebrews 8:10: For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

Jeremiah 34 through 36.  Now let’s read it!

A theme that hung in the background yesterday will be brought to the fore today, as the LORD assures multiple people that He is dealing with them justly according to their own deeds… everyone shall die for his own sin.    

In the opening chapter the LORD sends Jeremiah to King Zedekiah, when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army and all the kingdoms of the earth under his dominion and all the peoples were fighting against Jerusalem and all of its cities…  The LORD promises Zedekiah that He shall not escape, but shall see the king of Babylon eye to eye… and will go to Babylon.  Everyone shall die for his own sin.

Later in the chapter the king and his subjects bring disaster upon themselves by first releasing their slaves and then re-enslaving them.  It’s unclear why they made such a move, but it’s identical to that which the Egyptians attempted during the Exodus.  The LORD calls them to account twice: for how they profaned His name in taking back their slaves, and for holding them for so long – in violation of His law in Leviticus – in the first place.  Everyone shall die for his own sin.

Chapter 35 has a flashback to a visit from the Rechabites, a nomadic tribe whose ancestors had vowed “to drink no wine all our days, ourselves, our wives, our sons, and our daughters…”  Even when offered wine by Jeremiah, in the LORD’s house, they refused.  The LORD promises to honor their vow, but holds them up before the people of Judah as a contrast to their own unfaithfulness, and rejection of the prophets.  Everyone shall die for his own sin.

Another flashback in chapter 36 shows Jeremiah sending Baruch, his scribe, to read in the LORD’s house a scroll prophesying “that the king of Babylon will certainly come and destroy this land…”  The king burns the scroll, and fails to lament its contents.  Therefore the king, Jehoiakim, “shall have none to sit on the throne of David…”  Everyone shall die for his own sin.

Throughout today’s reading, listen for the repeated refrain, “…but they would not hear.”  Though the chronology skips around, the theme is resoundingly clear: Judah, Jerusalem, and her kings, have been fairly warned, yet they would not hear…  Everyone shall die for his own sin. 

Our verse for this week is Hebrews 8:10: For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

Jeremiah 34 through 36.  Now let’s read it!

We’re heading into the most focused period of this book.  It is a premier example of how narrative and oracle are woven together in Jeremiah’s book and Jeremiah’s life:  The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, chapter 32 begins, in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar.  At that time the army of the king of Babylon was besieging Jerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the guard that was in the palace of the king of Judah.

The word of the LORD had first come to Jeremiah almost forty years ago, during the reign of King Josiah.  And in those first words the LORD warned Jeremiah: “I am watching over my word to perform it… I will declare my judgments against them, for all their evil in forsaking me. They have made offerings to other gods and worshiped the works of their own hands.”

You know, and I know, that there is no escape from the judgment to come.  The storm of destruction was formed on the horizon and propelled by the LORD’s hand long before Zedekiah was born.  Jerusalem will fall, as the LORD must be true to His word.  Jeremiah has pushed hard at the king and his subjects to accept this fate and allow the LORD to spare their lives, insisting that while the kingdom will end, “everyone shall die for his own sin. Each man who eats sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge.” 

Sprinkled throughout are promises of the LORD’s faithfulness to His chosen.  In chapter 31, the LORD reminds His people that they will not be forsaken forever:  Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "Once more they shall use these words in the land of Judah and in its cities, when I restore their fortunes: "'The LORD bless you, O habitation of righteousness, O holy hill!'  In chapter 32, Jeremiah buys a field – an odd transaction during a siege – to illustrate his faith that the land will one day be restored. 

And finally, in chapter 33 the LORD compares His covenant with David to his covenant with the fixed order of heaven and earth…”  If His covenant with day and night cannot be broken, then neither can His promise to David’s descendants.   

Our verse for this week is Hebrews 8:10: For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

Jeremiah 31 through 33.  Now let’s read it!

We’re heading into the most focused period of this book.  It is a premier example of how narrative and oracle are woven together in Jeremiah’s book and Jeremiah’s life:  The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, chapter 32 begins, in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar.  At that time the army of the king of Babylon was besieging Jerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the guard that was in the palace of the king of Judah.

The word of the LORD had first come to Jeremiah almost forty years ago, during the reign of King Josiah.  And in those first words the LORD warned Jeremiah: “I am watching over my word to perform it… I will declare my judgments against them, for all their evil in forsaking me. They have made offerings to other gods and worshiped the works of their own hands.”

You know, and I know, that there is no escape from the judgment to come.  The storm of destruction was formed on the horizon and propelled by the LORD’s hand long before Zedekiah was born.  Jerusalem will fall, as the LORD must be true to His word.  Jeremiah has pushed hard at the king and his subjects to accept this fate and allow the LORD to spare their lives, insisting that while the kingdom will end, “everyone shall die for his own sin. Each man who eats sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge.” 

Sprinkled throughout are promises of the LORD’s faithfulness to His chosen.  In chapter 31, the LORD reminds His people that they will not be forsaken forever:  Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "Once more they shall use these words in the land of Judah and in its cities, when I restore their fortunes: "'The LORD bless you, O habitation of righteousness, O holy hill!'  In chapter 32, Jeremiah buys a field – an odd transaction during a siege – to illustrate his faith that the land will one day be restored. 

And finally, in chapter 33 the LORD compares His covenant with David to his covenant with the fixed order of heaven and earth…”  If His covenant with day and night cannot be broken, then neither can His promise to David’s descendants.   

Our verse for this week is Hebrews 8:10: For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

Jeremiah 31 through 33.  Now let’s read it!

I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.  And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.  But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’  And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the LORD has not spoken?’—  when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.
 – Deuteronomy 18:18-22

In recent chapters the stories have seemingly bounced around haphazardly but the theme is constant: Jeremiah has been competing for the ear and trust of his people.  The loneliness that he expresses is compatible with his experience.  But consider for a moment the troubling times we’re reading about. 

Imagine life for the residents of Jerusalem.  When Babylon was rounding up their country’s leading citizens, those left behind were not wealthy, connected, or skilled enough to deport.  Their nation and king know peace only as long as they bow to Babylon’s yoke.  Prophets are plentiful, promising that soon their kingdom, pride, and fortunes will be restored.  Only Jeremiah warns that the worst is yet to come.  Whom should they believe? 

Imagine life for the exiles in Babylon.  They existed in a strange limbo between prison and freedom, restricted from returning home yet permitted to function, in some ways, as contributing citizens of their new land.  As in Jerusalem, most of the prophets foretell a quick end to their troubles.  Yet Jeremiah promises seventy years?  What emotions, desires, and experience factor into deciding which message to trust?    

This stuff is heavy.  The story is real.  Confusion and despair make sense.  Stick with it so you can feel the weight of it.  And remember that Jeremiah’s been doing this for decades. 

Our verse for this week is Hebrews 8:10: For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

Jeremiah 28 through 30.  Now let’s read it!

I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.  And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.  But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’  And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the LORD has not spoken?’—  when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.
 – Deuteronomy 18:18-22

In recent chapters the stories have seemingly bounced around haphazardly but the theme is constant: Jeremiah has been competing for the ear and trust of his people.  The loneliness that he expresses is compatible with his experience.  But consider for a moment the troubling times we’re reading about. 

Imagine life for the residents of Jerusalem.  When Babylon was rounding up their country’s leading citizens, those left behind were not wealthy, connected, or skilled enough to deport.  Their nation and king know peace only as long as they bow to Babylon’s yoke.  Prophets are plentiful, promising that soon their kingdom, pride, and fortunes will be restored.  Only Jeremiah warns that the worst is yet to come.  Whom should they believe? 

Imagine life for the exiles in Babylon.  They existed in a strange limbo between prison and freedom, restricted from returning home yet permitted to function, in some ways, as contributing citizens of their new land.  As in Jerusalem, most of the prophets foretell a quick end to their troubles.  Yet Jeremiah promises seventy years?  What emotions, desires, and experience factor into deciding which message to trust?    

This stuff is heavy.  The story is real.  Confusion and despair make sense.  Stick with it so you can feel the weight of it.  And remember that Jeremiah’s been doing this for decades. 

Our verse for this week is Hebrews 8:10: For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

Jeremiah 28 through 30.  Now let’s read it!

Today’s stories follow no defined timeline, but at least they are clearly marked.  The first, in chapter 25, comes in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, about 605 B.C.  More critically, it is the first year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.  Jeremiah warns Jehoiakim that the LORD will bring Nebuchadnezzar – whom the LORD calls “my servant” – against this land and its inhabitants… and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.  Unfortunately, we know that Jehoiakim did not heed Jeremiah’s warning. 

At the beginning of chapter 26, Jeremiah recalls events from four years earlier, at the beginning of Jehhoiakim’s reign.  Judah was a vassal of Egypt at the time, and Jeremiah was sent to warn the king and his court that it is neither Egypt, nor Babylon, that they should fear:  “Thus says the LORD: If you will not listen to me, to walk in my law… and to listen to the words of my servants the prophets… then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city a curse for all the nations of the earth.” 

The final chapter moves forward a dozen years.  Judah is now subject to Babylon, and Zedekiah is enthroned as Nebuchadnezzar’s puppet.  It smells like there’s a conspiracy afoot among the rulers in the region to buck Babylon’s power.  Jeremiah warns against this.  In fact, the LORD has ordained Babylon’s position: “Now I have given these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, my servant…”  The LORD promises to punish any nation that will not serve Babylon, and to spare the nations that do. 

Listen for common threads throughout today’s reading.  Prophets, good and bad, are a repeated subject.  So is the stubbornness of Judah’s rulers. Notice where and to whom Jeremiah makes his proclamations, and consider the trouble it gets him in.  Finally, and significantly, notice the LORD’s sovereign control over the story.  If Judah ascends, it is because of the LORD’s hand; if Babylon ascends, it is likewise because of the LORD’s hand. 

Our verse for this week is Hebrews 8:10: For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

Jeremiah 25 through 27.  Now let’s read it!