Introduction to Jeremiah
Jeremiah was from a priestly family in Anathoth, in the land of Benjamin (1:1), a few miles northeast of Jerusalem.
Jeremiah prophesied for more than forty years, from the thirteenth year of King Josiah’s reign in 627 BC—the last good king—until Jerusalem’s captivity in 586 BC (1:2–3).
Baruch was Jeremiah’s secretary, friend, and confidant. He wrote down, “at the dictation of Jeremiah,” the words Jeremiah received from the LORD (36:4, 32; 45:1).
Outline
Section titled “Outline”“Jeremiah is a scrapbook rather than a chronological account.” — ESV Study Bible
- Introduction (ch. 1)
- Israel’s Covenantal Adultery (chs. 2–6)
- False Religion and an Idolatrous People (chs. 7–10)
- Jeremiah’s Struggles with God and Judah (chs. 11–20)
- Jeremiah’s Confrontations (chs. 21–29)
- Restoration for Judah and Israel (chs. 30–33)
- God Judges Judah (chs. 34–45)
- God’s Judgment on the Nations (chs. 46–51)
- Conclusion: The Fall of Jerusalem (ch. 52)
Jeremiah’s Message
Section titled “Jeremiah’s Message”- Covenant lawsuit
- Indictment against God’s people for covenant-breaking—spiritual adultery.
- God’s imminent judgment and wrath: destruction of the temple and Babylonian captivity.
- Future restoration in the Messianic age
- “The days are coming” occurs thirteen times.
Persecutions and Plots
Section titled “Persecutions and Plots”See Jeremiah 11:18–23.
- Arrested on several occasions (20:1–3; 37:11–15).
- Cast into a cistern, where he sank into mud and was later rescued (38:1–13).
- A type of Christ and, to a lesser extent, Paul (Jer. 1:5 → Gal. 1:15). Both suffered at the hands of the Jews because of their message of judgment on the old Israel and God’s plan to fashion a new Israel under a new covenant.
New Covenant and Messianic Passages
Section titled “New Covenant and Messianic Passages”Jeremiah 30–33
| Passage | Promise |
|---|---|
| 30:3 | “The days are coming” when I will restore the fortunes of my people, Israel and Judah. |
| 30:9 | David their king, whom I will raise up for them. |
| 30:18; 31:38–40 | The city will be rebuilt. |
| 30:21–22 | Their prince shall come from their midst—the humanity of Christ. |
| 31:10–14 | They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion. |
| 31:20 | God’s heart still yearns for his dear son, Ephraim. |
| 31:31–34 | “I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and Judah.” |
| 32:36–44 | “I will bring them back to this place … and give them one heart.” |
| 33:15–16 (= 23:5–6) | “The days are coming” when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch. |
| 33:20–26 | “If you can break my covenant with the day and the night …” |
New Testament Quotations and Allusions to Jeremiah
Section titled “New Testament Quotations and Allusions to Jeremiah”| Jeremiah | New Testament |
|---|---|
| 6:16 — “And find rest for your souls” | Matt. 11:29 |
| 7:11 — “This house, which is called by my name, has become a den of robbers” | Matt. 21:13 / Mk 11:17 / Lk 19:46 |
| 9:24 — “Let him who boasts boast in this …” | 1 Cor. 1:31; 2 Cor. 10:17 |
| 10:7 — “Who would not fear you, O King of the nations?” | Rev. 15:4 |
| 31:15 — Rachel weeping for her children (Babylonian captivity) | Matt. 2:18 |
| 31:31–34 — The prophecy of the new covenant | Luke 22:20; 2 Cor. 3; Heb. 8 |
| 32:1–15 — Jeremiah buys a field during the siege (cf. Zech. 11:13) | Matt. 27:9 |
| 51:8, 37 — “Babylon is fallen!” The persecutor of God’s people is judged. | Rev. 14:8; 18:2 |