READ IT! - Introduction to Jeremiah 43-49

Readings for this week

Monday: Jeremiah 43
Tuesday: Jeremiah 44
Wednesday: Jeremiah 45
Thursday: Jeremiah 46
Friday: Jeremiah 47
Saturday: Jeremiah 48

Sunday: Jeremiah 49

Introduction to Jeremiah 43-49

Chapters 43-44 

Chapters 39–44 describe the Fall of Jerusalem and other related events. The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem. They killed Zedekiah’s sons and poked out his eyes. The Babylonians freed and protected Jeremiah. They liked how he had prophesied against his own people. Nebuchadnezzar appointed Gedaliah as governor over Judah, but he was assassinated by the people after a short time. The few who remained in Judah were afraid of Nebuchadnezzar’s wrath and fled to Egypt against Jeremiah’s warning. They dragged Jeremiah along with them. Jeremiah prophesied that Nebuchadnezzar would soon also destroy Egypt and told the people to turn to Yahweh. They instead worshiped “The Queen of Heaven” and told Jeremiah to shut up. 

Chapter 45 

Jeremiah sends a message to his scribe Baruch:

“This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to you, Baruch: You said, ‘Woe to me! The Lord has added sorrow to my pain; I am worn out with groaning and find no rest.’ But the Lord has told me to say to you, ‘This is what the Lord says: I will overthrow what I have built and uproot what I have planted, throughout the earth. Should you then seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them. For I will bring disaster on all people, declares the Lord, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.’” 

Chapters 46-49 

Chapters 46-51 are made up of oracles against the nations. God’s judgment extends to all nations and not just to the people of Judah.

Egypt is destroyed by Babylon
Philistia is destroyed by Babylon
Moab is destroyed by Babylon
Ammon is destroyed by Babylon
Edom is destroyed by Babylon
Damascus is destroyed by Babylon
Kedar and Hazor are destroyed by Babylon
Elam is destroyed by Babylon