Post by nicfos on May 2, 2005 3:43:30 GMT -5
"JEREMIAH the Prophet"
Ordained to Speak
Jeremiah's "call" was to urge God's people to turn from their sins, and turn back to God.
The Book of JEREMIAH was written to Judah (the Southern Kingdom) and its capital city, Jerusalem. It was written during Jeremiah's Ministry in approximately 627-586 B.C.
Jeremiah ministered under Judah's last five kings -- Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachim, and Zedekiah. The nation was sliding quickly toward destruction, and eventually was conquered by Babylon in 586 B.C. (SEE: 2 Kings 21-25). The prophet Zephaniah preceded Jeremiah, and Habakkuk was his contemporary.
KEY VERSE: "Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord god of hosts." (2:19).
KEY PEOPLE: Judah's kings (listed above), Baruch, Ebed-melech, King Nebuchadnezzar, the Rechabites.
KEY PLACES: Anathoth, Jerusalem, Ramah, Egypt
KEY FEATURES of the BOOK OF JEREMIAH: This Book is a combination of history, poetry, and biography. Jeremiah often used symbolism to communicate his message.
For forty (40) years, Jeremiah served as God's spokesman to Judah; but when Jeremiah spoke, nobody listened. Consistenly, and passionately, he urged them to act, but nobody moved. And he certainly did not attain material success. He was poor and underwent severe deprivation to deliver his prophecies. He was thrown into prison (Chapter 37) and into a well (Chapter 38), and he was taken to Egypt against his will (Chapter 43).
Jeremiah was rejected by his neighbors (11:19-21), his family (12:6), the false priests and prophets (20:1, 2), friends (20:10), his audience (26:8), and the kings (36:23).
Throughout Jeremiah's life, he stood alone, declaring God's messages of doom, announcing the new covenant, and weeping over the fate of his beloved country. In the eyes of the world, Jeremiah was not a success.
By the world's standards, success means achieving goals and acquiring wealth, prestige, favor, and power. "Successful" people enjoy the good life ~ financially and emotionally secure, surrounded by admirers, and enjoying the fruits of their labors. They are leaders, opinion makers, trend-setters. Their example is emulated; their accomplishments are noticed. They know who they are and where they are going, and they stride confidently to meet their goals. By these standards, Jeremiah was a miserable failure.
However, in God's eyes, Jeremiah was one of the most successful people in all of history. Success, as measured by God, involves obedience and faithfulness. Regardless of opposition and personal cost, Jeremiah courageously and faithfully proclaimed the Word of God. He was obedient to his "calling".
Jeremiah's Book begins with his "call" to be a Prophet. The next 38 Chapters are prophecies about Israel (the nation united) and Judah (the southern Kingdom). Chapters 2-20 are general and undated, and Chapters 21-39 are particular and dated. The basic theme of Jeremiah's message is simple: "Repent and turn to God or he will punish." And more specifically, the destruction of Jerusalem. This terrible event is described in Chapter 39. Chapters 40-44 describe events following the Jerusalem's fall. The Book concludes with prophecies concerning a variety of nations (Chapters 45-52).
As you read the Book of Jeremiah, feel with him as he agonizes over the message he must deliver, pray with him for those who refuse to respond to the truth, and watch his example of faith and courage. Then commit yourself to being successful in God's eyes.
GO FORTH in the name of JESUS, and BE BLESSED ~
Ordained to Speak - In Jesus name
Ordained to Speak
Jeremiah's "call" was to urge God's people to turn from their sins, and turn back to God.
The Book of JEREMIAH was written to Judah (the Southern Kingdom) and its capital city, Jerusalem. It was written during Jeremiah's Ministry in approximately 627-586 B.C.
Jeremiah ministered under Judah's last five kings -- Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachim, and Zedekiah. The nation was sliding quickly toward destruction, and eventually was conquered by Babylon in 586 B.C. (SEE: 2 Kings 21-25). The prophet Zephaniah preceded Jeremiah, and Habakkuk was his contemporary.
KEY VERSE: "Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord god of hosts." (2:19).
KEY PEOPLE: Judah's kings (listed above), Baruch, Ebed-melech, King Nebuchadnezzar, the Rechabites.
KEY PLACES: Anathoth, Jerusalem, Ramah, Egypt
KEY FEATURES of the BOOK OF JEREMIAH: This Book is a combination of history, poetry, and biography. Jeremiah often used symbolism to communicate his message.
For forty (40) years, Jeremiah served as God's spokesman to Judah; but when Jeremiah spoke, nobody listened. Consistenly, and passionately, he urged them to act, but nobody moved. And he certainly did not attain material success. He was poor and underwent severe deprivation to deliver his prophecies. He was thrown into prison (Chapter 37) and into a well (Chapter 38), and he was taken to Egypt against his will (Chapter 43).
Jeremiah was rejected by his neighbors (11:19-21), his family (12:6), the false priests and prophets (20:1, 2), friends (20:10), his audience (26:8), and the kings (36:23).
Throughout Jeremiah's life, he stood alone, declaring God's messages of doom, announcing the new covenant, and weeping over the fate of his beloved country. In the eyes of the world, Jeremiah was not a success.
By the world's standards, success means achieving goals and acquiring wealth, prestige, favor, and power. "Successful" people enjoy the good life ~ financially and emotionally secure, surrounded by admirers, and enjoying the fruits of their labors. They are leaders, opinion makers, trend-setters. Their example is emulated; their accomplishments are noticed. They know who they are and where they are going, and they stride confidently to meet their goals. By these standards, Jeremiah was a miserable failure.
However, in God's eyes, Jeremiah was one of the most successful people in all of history. Success, as measured by God, involves obedience and faithfulness. Regardless of opposition and personal cost, Jeremiah courageously and faithfully proclaimed the Word of God. He was obedient to his "calling".
Jeremiah's Book begins with his "call" to be a Prophet. The next 38 Chapters are prophecies about Israel (the nation united) and Judah (the southern Kingdom). Chapters 2-20 are general and undated, and Chapters 21-39 are particular and dated. The basic theme of Jeremiah's message is simple: "Repent and turn to God or he will punish." And more specifically, the destruction of Jerusalem. This terrible event is described in Chapter 39. Chapters 40-44 describe events following the Jerusalem's fall. The Book concludes with prophecies concerning a variety of nations (Chapters 45-52).
As you read the Book of Jeremiah, feel with him as he agonizes over the message he must deliver, pray with him for those who refuse to respond to the truth, and watch his example of faith and courage. Then commit yourself to being successful in God's eyes.
GO FORTH in the name of JESUS, and BE BLESSED ~
Ordained to Speak - In Jesus name