JEREMIAH
The prophet Jeremiah ministered in Judah during the last forty years of the nation’s history, from 627 to perhaps 582 b.c. In spite of his faithful preaching of the Word, Jeremiah watched the nation decline until Judah was taken captive by the Babylonians and Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed. He expressed his grief vividly in the book of Lamentations.
He was a priest called to be a prophet, a sensitive man called to confront kings, false prophets, and hypocritical priests. He was bold before men but broken before God, and we call him “the weeping prophet.” When Jesus was here on earth, the people identified Him with the prophet Jeremiah (Matt. 16:14). Jeremiah’s life was not easy, and his ministry did not appear successful. But he was faithful to the Lord and accomplished God’s will.
After describing his call to ministry (chap. 1), Jeremiah records his messages to Judah, pleading with the people to repent (chaps.
Jeremiah is a master of imagery who creates many word pictures to give his message. As you read his prophecy, use your imagination and “see” what Jeremiah is saying. Also, note the occasional personal disclosures in the book, particularly the honest expressions of the prophet’s feelings. Jeremiah reveals his own heart as he preaches about the broken heart of God.
“Jeremiah lived about sixty years. Across that life span there is no sign of decay or shriveling. Always he was pushing out the borders of reality, exploring new territory. And always he was vigorous in battle, challenging and contesting the shoddy, the false, the vile.”
Eugene H. Peterson