Jeremiah & Zedekiah

1. Change before the end begins Jeremiah Zedekiah: the king without a backbone

2. Kings of Judah from Josiah to the Captivity when Jeremiah prophecied G

3. Jeremiah himself: the man • Probably born about the same time as Josiah [excited at Josiah’s reforms!] • Trained to be a priest (1:1) • Usually started about 25 years old • Now God asks him to be a prophet • Prophesied at least 40 years • Continued his mission till over 65 years old! [old man in the mire!] Great example to us of faithful service in God’s family

4. Number of Years Jeremiah continued to Prophecy Josiah’s reign (from 13th) 18 years Jehoahaz’ reign 3 months Jehoiakim’s reign 11 years Jehoiachin’s reign 3 months Zedekiah’s reign 11 years Gedaliah is governor ??? Time in Egypt ??? Total time: at least 40 years!

5. Jeremiah: Priest turned Prophet • Life of priest was pretty good – people took care of you! • Called from birth (1:5) like Christ (Isa 49:1) & Paul (Gal 1:15) • Did not want to be a prophet (1:6) • Sometimes necessary to take on jobs we don’t want because no one else is filling it! • God promised to protect him (1:18-19) • Later on, when people hated him, wanted to kill him, & torture him – Jeremiah felt deceived (19:7-8) • Jeremiah did not want to deliver his message (19:9) • Became so discouraged he wished he was not born (19:14-18) Jeremiah became willing to serve God the way God wanted, not what Jeremiah wanted!

6. The Family of Jeremiah (priests of Anathoth) Jeremiah came from a big family! Most of Jeremiah’s contemporary family members rejected his prophecies Mainly taken from Bro HAW’s book with modifications recommended by R.Cowie

7. Many Family Members Rejected Jeremiah & His Message Azariah (high priest, brother) & Gemariah (his brother) dealt treacherously with him (12:6) Zedekiah (29:21) his cousin, prophesied lies Azariah (42:1; 43:2 LXX) his cousin, claimed Jeremiah lied when he prophesied that God did not want them to flee to Egypt Seraiah (Jeremiah’s Nephew [high priest]) and Zephaniah (cousin) and probably many other family members were killed by Nebuzaradan at Riblah (2 Kings 25:18-21; Jer 39:6)

8. The Family of Jeremiah (priests of Anathoth) Some family members supported Jeremiah Baruch wrote many of Jeremiah’s prophecies. Shaphan’s family were faithful to God and supported Jeremiah to the end.

9. Jeremiah’s Social Life (Jer 16) He lived God’s message! • V.2No wife or kids: not worth having a family now • V.5 No grieving at funerals: God won’t grieve when the nation goes captive • V.8No parties: too many terrible events coming on the nation And we sometimes think we have it bad today!

10. Jeremiah’s message to the Jews Northern army is coming! Change before the judgment begins! Then it will be too late! • Jeremiah began this message during Josiah’s reformation years! Once the Babylonians arrived in 4th of Jehoiakim, Jeremiah was vindicated & his message changed to: “surrender & go to Babylon” His message still applies to us today! Now is the time! When Jesus returns it will be too late!

11. Jeremiah’s Mission: “Prophet to the Nations” (1:5) Jeremiah’s message to the nations: 1) Yahweh is the one responsible for Judah’s destruction, not the idols of the other nations or their kings (4:16; 6:18; 27:1-8; 40:2-3) 2) The nations will in turn be destroyed because of their proud boastings against Yahweh (25:17-38) Daniel delivered a similar message: “Most High rules in the kingdoms of men”

12. Jeremiah had no credibility (1:13-17) 13 And the word of the LORD came to me the second time, saying, "What do you see?" And I said, "I see a boiling pot, and it is facing away from the north.“ [KJV error: “toward the north”] 14 Then the LORD said to me: "Out of the north calamity shall break forth on all the inhabitants of the land. 15 For behold, I am calling all the families of the kingdoms of the north," says the LORD; "They shall come and each one set his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, against all its walls all around, and against all the cities of Judah. 16 I will utter My judgments against them concerning all their wickedness, because they have forsaken Me, burned incense to other gods, and worshiped the works of their own hands. 17 "Therefore prepare yourself and arise, and speak to them all that I command you. Do not be dismayed before their faces, lest I dismay you before them. Egypt was the power of the day! The people couldn’t see how a northern power would capture them.

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14. Jeremiah’s writings • Some were written by Baruch (36:4: 45:1) • Contain the most words of any prophet’s book of the Bible • Cover a longer period of time than any other prophets It’s time to get to know him & understand his prophecy

15. Jeremiah recompiled his writings to influence Zedekiah 2 Chron 36:11-21 • Only a few things revealed about Zedekiah • V.12 Did evil in God’s sight • Did not humble himself before Jeremiah (spoke word of the Lord) • V.13 Rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, broke oath • Stiffened neck, hardened heart against turning to God • V.14 Leaders transgressed. Defiled house of Lord • 2 Kgs 25 Describes siege & Zedekiah’s capture Jeremiah’s prophecies give more insight into Zedekiah & the people. Challenging time for Jeremiah. He endured much suffering!

16. Jer 27: the Bonds & Yokes • V.1 “Jehoiakim” should be “Zedekiah” (v.3) • Beginning = 4th year (see 28:1) • V.3 Five nations sent messengers to Jerusalem • Zedekiah possibly planning a rebellion! • Jeremiah’s mission is to explain to nations that Yahweh owns the land & has given it to Neb. “my servant” (v.6) • V.11 “nations” that serve Babylon willingly get to stay! • V.12-15 Personal appeal to Zedekiah: “serve Babylon & live!” • V.16-18 Personal appeal to priests & people: “serve Babylon & live!” • V.18 Note Jeremiah’s challenge to prophets: Ask God to keep vessels here – see if He will! Even at this point Jeremiah is still trying to appeal to everyone, hoping some will change!

17. Jer 27: the Bonds & Yokes • Jeremiah’s yoke: – He walks around with a yoke on his neck – He lived his message! Message: It is better to submit to babylon

18. Jer 28: False Prophet Hananiah4th year of Zedekiah • Hananiah’s false message: Everyone will return within 2 years • Probably counting on Zedekiah’s rebellion to work • Jeremiah is still walking around with a yoke on his neck – He lived his message!

19. Some False Prophets Jeremiah dealt with • S False prophets in Jerusalem and Babylon were teaching that the captivity would be over soon & everyone would return! G

20. Jer 28: False Prophet Hananiah4th year of Zedekiah • Hananiah’s false message: Everyone will return within 2 years • Probably counting on Zedekiah’s rebellion to work • Jeremiah is still walking around with a yoke on his neck – He lived his message! • V.10-11Hananiah breaks yoke… predicts 2 years • V.13 God tells Jeremiah to go back & blame Hananiah personally – for misleading people • God trying to get to Hananiah’s conscience • Also showing the people Hananiah is a false prohet • James 3:1 Teachers judges with stricter judgment! • V.17Hananiah died within 2 months! • Urijah (his grandson) later tries to get back at Jeremiah (37:13) Jeremiah gives the good confession: No fight, no verbal war, no sustained argument. He’s willing to let God handle it over time!

21. Jeremiah’s final appeal to Zedekiah: Jer 38:20-23 • V.20 Jeremiah pleads: • Please! Obey! [still time to change!] • V.21-22 If you don’t surrender, YOUwill sink in the mire! • V.23YOU will cause your family to be destroyed! • YOU will cause Jerusalem to be burned! • V.24-28 Zedekiah is afraid to let anyone even know he cared at all! "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.“ (Mark 8:38)

22. Zedekiah’s Failure • No personal relationship with God • Only sought God when he was in trouble • Trusted in other nations, not God • Did not keep his covenants • Surrounded & influenced by ungodly people • Easily swayed: gave in to peer pressure • Afraid to confess Bible truths to others • Did not care about the welfare of his family • Knew the end was coming, but he was not willing to change his way of life! Learn from Zedekiah’s mistakes! Aim to be like Jeremiah

23. Hope you enjoyed Jeremiah!

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26. 2 Jeremiah’s prophecies during Zedekiah’s reign 2 Chr 36:13 51:59-64 G