A Study in Jeremiah-Week 11

A Study in Jeremiah-Week 11 (

Jeremiah Chapters 51-52

Chapter 51

This is a continuation of the prophecy against Babylon begun in the fiftieth chapter.

You can compare Jeremiah 50 and 51 with Isaiah 13, 14 and 47.

Jeremiah’s prophecies can be found in Daniel 5.

The record of the fall of Babylon is a picture of the overthrow of the antichrist’s kingdom.

Chapter 52

Many scholars believe that Jeremiah 52 was written by someone other than Jeremiah (Probably Ezra) as a historical supplement to the Prophecies.

This is about the destruction of Jerusalem.

You can see more about this in II Kings 24 & 25; II Chronicles 36 and Jeremiah 29.

Review of Jeremiah

The Lord's call to make Jeremiah His prophet summarized the message of the man of God: "See, I have set you this day over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant." (Jeremiah 1:10)

It was primarily a message of doom, but it included hope.

Jeremiah was the prophet of DOOM.

He called Judah to repent (3:1; 7:4-7), but they refused (6:16-17; 20:1-2; 32:2-5; 37:11-21; 38:1-13; 43:1-7).

Thus, Jeremiah foretold their destruction (5:9-10,14-18,29; 6:22-26; 7:16,32-34; 14:15-16; 25:8-10).

Israel was to be so destroyed as a nation that they could never be made whole again (19:10-11).

But Jeremiah was also the messenger of HOPE. He preached that Israel should place their trust in the Lord (9:23-24).

A faithful remnant would be restored (23:3; 31:7-9).

Ezra's record of the fulfillment of the restoration promise means this prophecy has been fulfilled.

Jeremiah also prophesied salvation in Christ (23:5-6; 33:15-16).

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Amazing Grace-Wintley Phipps

A Study in Jeremiah-Week 10

Jeremiah Chapters 46-50

The Prophecies, Forty-sixth through Fifty-second Chapters, Refer to Foreign Peoples.

Chapter 46: Jeremiah begins with Egypt, the country to which he had been removed.

The forty-sixth chapter contains two prophecies concerning Egypt: 1) the defeat of Pharaoh-necho at Carchemish by Nebuchadnezzar, and 2) the long subsequent conquest of Egypt by the same king.

Jeremiah also speaks of the preservation of the Jews

Chapter 47: Prophecy against the Philistines.

Who are the Philistines?

They occupied the southern coast of Canaan and were considered Israel’s most dangerous enemies.

Who can forget Samson tearing down the Philistine temple with his bare hands? Or the
ultimate long-odds battle: young David versus the Philistine Goliath.

Chapter 48: Prophecy against Moab.

Moab is the historical name for a mountainous strip of land in Jordan.

The Moabites had taken part with the Chaldeans in war against Judea.

Five years after the destruction of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar attacked and defeated the Moabites.

Chapter 49: Predictions as to Ammon, Idumea, Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, and Elam.

As to Ammon, Jeremiah predicts that their day of judgement is coming.

In verse 12 we learn that what we do as a nation affects the rest of the world…indeed, what any nation does affects the rest of the world, even the “innocent” ones.

A nation that turns from the Lord hurts not only itself, but other nations as well.

As the poet, John Donne, said in “Meditation XVII,” “no man is an island.

Chapter 50: Jeremiah’s predictions of Babylon's coming downfall and Israel's redemption.

There are many repetitions of the coming destruction of Babylon.

Remember: repetition in the Bible is tied to importance.

Babylon is representative of the sin nature of man, which is dealt with in the resurrection of Christ.

It is Israel’s rejection of Messiah that continues to bring them war and disorder.

That is true of every living, breathing human being.

There is redemption for the remnant Israel that turns to Messiah in the future.

There is redemption for ANYBODY who turns to Messiah…right now!

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-He Is Jehovah-Kenneth Copeland

A Study in Jeremiah-Week 9

Jeremiah Chapters 41-45

Here are the major events of each chapter:

Chapter 41
a. Ishmael Murders Gedaliah and Others.
b. Ishmael then Flees to the Ammonites.
c. Johanan Pursues Ishmael, Recovers the Captives, and Decides to Flee to Egypt for Fear of the Chaldeans.

Key Truths: No one can prosper who hardens his heart against God.

The removal of a prudent and peaceable ruler, and the succession of another who is rash and ambitious, affects the welfare of many.

Only those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways are happy and steady.

Chapter 42
a. The Jews and Johanan Inquire of God, through Jeremiah, as to Going to Egypt, Promising Obedience to His Will.
b. Their Safety on Condition of Staying in Judea, and Their Destruction in the Event of Going to Egypt, Are Foretold.
c. Their Hypocrisy in Asking for Counsel Which They Meant Not to Follow, if Contrary to Their Own Determination, Is Reproved.

Key Truths: God is ever ready to return in mercy to those who are afflicted; and he never rejects any who rely on his promises.

We don’t know what is best for ourselves; and what we are most fond of, and have our hearts most set upon, often proves hurtful, and sometimes fatal.

Chapter 43
a. The Jews Carry Jeremiah and Baruch into Egypt.
b. Jeremiah Foretells the Conquest of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar, and the Fate of the Fugitives.

Key Truths: God can find his people wherever they are.

Chapter 44
a. Jeremiah Reproves the Jews for Their Idolatry in Egypt.
b. Jeremiah Denounces God's Judgments on Them and Egypt Alike.

Key Truths: To mingle idolatry and superstition with Divine worship, and to reject the mediation of Christ, dooms one to an eternity separated from Him.

Having a part in God’s mercy is always united with repentance and obedience.

Chapter 45
a. Jeremiah Comforts Baruch.
b. After the completion of the prophecies and histories pertaining to the Jewish people and kings, Jeremiah adds one referring to an individual, Baruch.
c. Baruch seems to have been regularly employed by Jeremiah to commit his prophecies to writing

Key Truths: Young beginners in Christianity may be discouraged with small difficulties, which they first begin servicing God.

Serving God, whether in the “professional” ministry or as a lay person, is never easy. It requires the leadership of the Holy Spirit and perseverance beyond measure.

SENT TO ME IN AN EMAIL

APHORISM: A SHORT, POINTED SENTENCE THAT EXPRESSES A WISE OR CLEVER OBSERVATION OR A GENERAL TRUTH.

1. The nicest thing about the future is . . . that it always starts tomorrow.

2. Money will buy a fine dog, but only kindness will make him wag his tail.

3. If you don't have a sense of humor, you probably don't have any sense at all.

4. Seat belts are not as confining as wheelchairs.

5. A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you're in deep water.

6. How come it takes so little time for a child who is afraid of the dark to become a teenager who wants to stay out all night?

7. Business conventions are important. . .because they demonstrate how many people a company can operate without.

8. Why is it that at class reunions you feel younger than everyone else looks?

9. Scratch a cat . . . and you will have a permanent job.

10. No one has more driving ambition than the teenage boy who wants to buy a car.

11. There are no new sins; the old ones just get more publicity.

12. There are worse things than getting a call for a wrong number at 4 a.m. - like, it could be the right number.

13. No one ever says "It's only a game" when their team is winning.

14. I've reached the age where 'happy hour' is a nap.

15. Be careful about reading the fine print. . . . there's no way you're going to like it.

16. The trouble with bucket seats is that not everybody has the same size bucket.

17. Do you realize that, in about 40 years, we'll have thousands of old ladies running around with tattoos?
(And rap music will be the Golden Oldies!)

18. Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Cadillac than in a Yugo.

19. After 60, if you don't wake up aching in every joint, you're probably dead.

20. Always be yourself because the people that matter don't mind . . . . and the ones that mind don't matter.

21. Life isn't tied with a bow . . . . . . . . but it's still a gift.

SUNDAY SONGS OF PRAISE-Soon and Veery soon-Jessy Dixon & Andre Crouch

Beloved gospel singer, songwriter and musician, Jessy Dixon, died Monday in his Chicago home.

During the lifetime of a career that spanned upwards of five decades, Dixon wrote more than 200 songs. Author of gospel classics such as ‘I Love To Praise His Name’ and ‘, ‘He’s The Best Thing…To Happen to Me’, Dixon was perhaps most known for his 1993 hit ‘I Am Redeemed’ a song that impacted audiences worldwide, and held a top-ten position on the gospel charts for over five years.

Dixon began studying music at the age of five, and his original aspiration was to become a classical pianist. However, during a 1997 interview with the associated press, Dixon revealed that since early childhood, he knew he wanted to use his gifts and talents in the church. Dixon was catapulted into a broader gospel scene after being discovered by gospel music legend, James Cleveland, but remained dedicated to his desire of sharing that gospel he heard about as a youth.

For the past 16 years, Jessy Dixon had been a cherished fixture on the Bill Gaither Gospel Hour television series, and concert tours. His unbridled enthusiasm for sharing the gospel, and the boundless energy he brought to the stage made him an instant favorite to all who knew and loved him, both in the United States and in Europe. "Nowhere else in the world will you find such a delightful, pure, and honest performance, ingeniously combining brilliant vocalizing, and high energy excitement as when you listen to Jessy Dixon. When your feet begin to tap with the beat, the desire to get up and dance becomes overwhelming, and maybe a tear comes to your eyes; that is when Jessy Dixon's performance has reached its pinnacle," (International Herald Tribune).

Over the course of his career in gospel music, Dixon received several Dove award nominations for his work, seven Grammy nominations, garnered five gold albums, and was a 2008 Christian Music Hall of Fame inductee.
In addition to his accomplishments in the realm of gospel, Dixon also enjoyed success in other genres of music. Dixon was well known for his collaboration and friendship with Paul Simon, with whom he toured for eight years, and was contributor on several of Simon’s albums.

Aside from his work with Paul Simon, Dixon also wrote numerous songs for such artists as Cher, Natalie Cole, Amy Grant, and Diana Ross. In addition to singing and songwriting, Dixon played keyboard with Earth, Wind, and Fire, and guitarist Phillip Upchurch, as well as piano for gospel legend, Mahalia Jackson.

Despite international recognition and acclaim, Dixon stated the greatest joy of his life was to 'bask in the love of the one whom this gospel music is all about.”

A Study in Jeremiah-Week 8

Jeremiah Chapters 36-40

Here are the major events of each chapter:

36:1-32
a. Baruch writes for Jeremiah, then reads Jeremiah's prophecies publicly.
b. They are collected in a volume (on a scroll).
c. The scroll is burned by Jehoiakim, and written again by Baruch at Jeremiah's dictation.

Significant lessons: Reading the Word is crucial, but can get you in trouble, even today. People have tried to destroy the Word throughout history, but the Word of the Lord has survived.

37:1-21 (Chapters 37-44 are the so-called historical sections.)
a. The Chaldeans raise the siege to go and meet Pharaoh-hophra.
b. Zedekiah sends to Jeremiah to pray to God on behalf of the Jews.
c. Jeremiah tries to escape to his native place, but is arrested.
d. Zedekiah helps soften the rigor of Jeremiah’s imprisonment

Significant lessons: Being a prisoner for the Lord is honorable. In Ephesians 3:1, Paul proclaims himself a prisoner OF Christ Jesus FOR the gentiles.

38:1-28
a. Jeremiah predicts the capture of Jerusalem.
b. He is cast into a dungeon.
c. Jeremiah is transferred to the prison court when Ebed-melech intervenes
d. He has a secret interview with Zedekiah.

Significant lessons: God demands total surrender. If we are not willing to surrender to Him, we need to examine our relationship to Him in Christ (Romans 6:13 and Luke 18:28).

39:1-18
a. Jerusalem is taken.
b. Zedekiah's fate.
c. Jeremiah is cared for.
d. Ebed-melech is given assurance.

Significant lessons: With God there is always the way of escape…not from the day-to-day trials, but from their devastating spiritual effects.

40:1-16
a. Jeremiah is set free at Ramah.
b. He goes to Gedaliah, to whom the remnant of Jews returned.
c. Johanan warns Gedaliah of Ishmael's conspiracy in vain.

Jeremiah was set free from his physical chains. But there are chains more distressing than physical chains. They are the chains of sin. The only way to be free from those chains is by trusting in, and only in, the shed blood of Jesus Christ at the cross of Calvary and His resurrection (Romans 10:9).

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Panis Angelicus-Cesar Frank

A Study in Jeremiah-Week 7

Jeremiah Chapters 30-35

Chapters 30 and 31 are a song of restoration.

Israel would be delivered from the final tribulation at the end of the age.

In Verse 22 we have a prophesy that Messiah would be born of a virgin. This is fulfilled in Matthew 1:18-20.

They will enjoy the blessing of the NEW COVENANT (verse 31). This is fulfilled in Matthew 26:28.

This is a definite prediction that the Mosaic Covenant would be superseded by another.

Chapter 32 Jeremiah, Imprisoned for His Prophecy against Jerusalem, Buys a Patrimonial Property (His Relative Hanameel's), IN Order to Certify to the Jews Their Future Return from Babylon.

A year before Jerusalem fell, God commanded Jeremiah to purchase the field of Hanameel, his uncle’s son.

Here is a good example of the Kinsman Redeemer and a sign that the captives would return and cultivate the land.

(32:17) “…there is nothing too hard for thee.”

Chapter 33 Prophecy of the Restoration from Babylon, and of Messiah as King and Priest.

Verses 14 & 15 tell us that Messiah will be a descendant of David. This fulfilled in Luke 3:23-31

Jeremiah continued the theme of Israel’s restoration through the prophecy of the “BRANCH.”

Here we have a message of salvation and praise.

Chapter 34 Captivity of Zedekiah and the People Foretold for Their Disobedience and Deceitfulness.

The people had promised to free the Hebrew slaves, but did not keep their
Promise, so they, too, would become captives.

Chapter 35 Prophecy in the Reign of Jehoiakim, when the Chaldeans, in
Conjunction with the Syrians and Moabites, Invaded Judea

Here a rebuke was given to Israel through the example of the Rechabites, descendants of Moses’ brother-in-law.

Israel failed again to obey God.

The fact that prophecies are fulfilled is more than an academic exercise. It is evidence that God can be trusted in all that He says.

God has told us that all have sinned and come short of His glory. He has also said that if we will trust in, and only in, the finished work of Christ at the cross of Calvary and His resurrection, we will be saved.

You could trust God to fulfil His prophesies, and you can trust God to provide you with salvation through, and only through, Christ, Jesus, Messiah.