Chronological Bible Study – Aug 8
What I Noticed Today (Jeremiah 4-6)
Jeremiah 4
In verses 1-4, God promises that IF the people of Israel will repent, return to him, and demonstrate their commitment by getting rid of their idols, THEN He will bless them. Jeremiah uses two metaphors (one of a farmer, and one of circumcision) to describe the need for repentance: God does not sow seed in unrepentant hearts, and God demands the confession of their hearts align with their outward profession (walk the talk!).
In verses 5-9, Jeremiah describes the disaster that will come from the north for the people do not repent. People will seek out the safety of the city, but the land and the cities will be in ruins. Their leaders (kings, officials, priests, and prophets) will be filled with fear.
Verse 10 is a difficult verse to interpret. On the surface, it appears that Jeremiah is complaining that God has deceived the people. However, this cannot be right because it does not match the nature and character of God. In all likelihood, Jeremiah is complaining that God has allowed false prophets to proclaim peace rather than judgment (Jeremiah 6:14, 14:13-14, 23:16-17).
In verses 11-18, Jeremiah continues the prophetic announcement of the coming judgment. He calls on Jerusalem to repent and to warn the nations of the impending judgment. The judgment they face was brought on by their own actions.
Verses 19-21, are the first of at least eight of Jeremiah’s laments (confessions) to God. Jeremiah cries out to God in anguish as he realizes what is about to happen to Judah. The people, he says, are fools continuing to do evil, not even knowing how to do good.
In verses 23-28, Jeremiah describes the coming devastation like a reversal of creation: rather than creating from the formless and void, the land would become formless and void, the light would be replaced with darkness, and the fruitful land would become barren.
In verses 29-31, Jeremiah describes the beginning of judgment against Judah as the people flee to avoid being killed by the approaching army. Jerusalem, he says, will cry out like a woman in labor, seeking assistance that will not come.
Jeremiah 5
In verses 1-3, the Lord sends Jeremiah into the city to find just one righteous man that He might save the city. But the people refused correction and hardened their hearts, refusing to repent.
In verses 4-6, Jeremiah thinks perhaps he has only talked to the poor people who don’t know any better, so he seeks out the leaders and to his dismay, they have also rejected God.
In verses 7-9, God asks two rhetorical questions: why should I forgive them when they have forsaken Me, and why shouldn’t He punish them for their sin?
In verses 10-19, Jeremiah describes Judah as God’s choice vine who had become a wild vine. The wild branches needed to be pruned (face judgment), leaving only those who remained true to God. The judgment will come in the form of another nation who will bring devastation, but God will save a remnant who will be taken away and end up serving their conquerors.
In verses 20-31, God tells Jeremiah to proclaim a warning to the foolish and senseless people who have ears but do not hear and eyes but do not see. They are stubborn and rebellious. Jeremiah lists some of their sins saying they are wicked, oppressing the fatherless and the poor, the prophets were prophesying falsities, and the priests followed their own path instead of God. And in all this sin, the people love it just that way!
Jeremiah 6
In verses 1-5, Jeremiah warns the people of Bethlehem of the impending destruction. The destruction will be so severe shepherds will graze their flocks where the city once stood. The invading army is so anxious to attack; they cannot wait for the next day; they will attack at night.
In verses 6-8, Jerusalem must be punished because of her wickedness. Unless the people repent, the judgment will devastate the city.
In verses 9-15, Jeremiah expresses surprise that no one heeds his warnings of judgment. God’s wrath is coming to everyone: the children and the young men, the husbands and wives, the elderly, and the very old. Everyone was corrupt, including the priests and the prophets. None of them were ashamed of their sins. Therefore, they must be punished.
In verses 16-21, the Lord instructs the people to find the ancient paths (when the people walked with God). If they walk with God, they will find rest. But the people rejected God and the watchmen (true prophets) He set over them. Outwardly they had followed rituals but inwardly had not been obedient to God.
In verses 22-26, warns them again about the destruction that will come from the north. They will show the people no mercy, and the people will be in mourning.
In verses 27-30, refers to Jeremiah as a tester of metals and the people were the ore. They were stubborn and rebellious and could not be refined (purified), so God’s judgment would come.
Note: The reference to lead and rejected silver alludes to a process by which lead and silver were heated together, and the impurities would adhere to the lead leaving pure silver. In the case of Judah, despite the attempt to refine them, they remained impure.
Tomorrow: Jeremiah 7-9
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.