JEREMIAH

JEREMIAH : Around 625 B.C., Jeremiah was the prophet of Judah. On predestination, related to Jeremiah himself:

• "The Word of the Lord came to me, saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew (or chose) you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.'" (Jeremiah 1:4-5).

Jeremiah speaks and prays directly to God. God reveals his dislike of the worship of Baal, the "Queen of Heaven" (Ishtar), and idols by the Hebrews. Jeremiah warned the people not to use idols such as totem-pole-like "gods" (Jeremiah 10:2-5). Jeremiah described the "Portion of Jacob" (i.e., the one God of Jacob) as the Maker (or Creator) ,whose name is "The Lord Almighty" (Jeremiah 10:16). Jeremiah is concerned about why wicked men seem prosperous (Jeremiah 12:1-4). The Lord, through Jeremiah, states that He will scatter the Hebrews "like chaff driven by the desert wind" (Jeremiah 13:24; and similarly in 18:17; 19:11). God states that one should not trust mortal man (or be like a "bush in the wastelands") but should trust the Lord (and be like a "tree planted by the water") -- Jeremiah 17:5-8. Like Isaiah, Jeremiah used the comparison of Potter (God) with clay (the people God created) -- Jeremiah 18:6. Importantly, it is revealed that God can change His mind (Jeremiah 18:7-10; 26:3), or that the direction of things (destiny) can be altered. Jeremiah warned against "false prophets" that do not speak for God (Jeremiah 23:16-17). As Isaiah did, Jeremiah warned of the future around his time (or even possibly yet to come now) of the "last days:"

1. "...'I am calling down a sword upon all who live on the earth, declares the Lord Almighty.'" (Jeremiah 25:29).
2. "'The tumult will resound to the ends of the earth, for the Lord will bring charges against the nations; He will bring judgment on all mankind and put the wicked to the sword'..." (Jeremiah 25:31).
3. "At that time those slain by the Lord will be everywhere -- from one end of the earth to the other..." (Jeremiah 25:33).
4. "How awful that day will be!(i.e., initial horror at what happens)...they will serve the Lord their God and David their King, whom I will raise up for them...'So do not fear...'...the city (i.e., Jerusalem) will be rebuilt on her ruins, and the palace will stand in its proper place...'So you will be My people and I will be your God.'" (Jeremiah 30).
5. "...'He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over His flock like a shepherd.'...'This is the covenant (i.e., New Covenant, or New Agreement ) I will make with the house of Israel after that time...I will put My law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people." (Jeremiah 31:10;33).

Much of Jeremiah's concern is of the taking of Judah and Jerusalem and destruction of the Temple by Babylon, specifically by King Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 27:6; 52:12,13). Jeremiah tells the Hebrews that they will be taken captives by Babylon and held for a long time, yet "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13). Jeremiah believed that everyone is rewarded according to his life and deeds (Jeremiah 32:19), not his father's life and deeds. Jeremiah warned of God's tremendous displeasure with people worshipping other "gods" (Jeremiah 44:2,3). Jeremiah gave a review (Jeremiah 46-50) of what, in the future, would happen to the foreign peoples of his time -- the Egyptians (with their "god" Amon and others), Philistines, Moabites (with their "god" Chemosh), Ammonites (with their "god" Milcom), Edomites, Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, Elam, and Babylon (with their "gods" Marduk and Bel). The prophet stated that idols are nothing; "He who is the Portion of Jacob (i.e. the one God) is not like these, for He is the Maker of all things, including the tribe of His inheritance (Israel, His nation) -- the Lord Almighty is His name." (Jeremiah 51:19).

Jeremiah refers to the Messiah:

• "'The days are coming,' says the Lord, 'when I will raise up to David (or, up from David's line) a Righteous Branch...' ...'This is the name by which He will be called: The Lord Our Righteousness .'" (Jeremiah 23:5-6).

• "'In those days and at that time I will make a Righteous Branch sprout from David's line...The Lord Our Righteousness'...'David will never fail to have a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel...'" (Jeremiah 33:15;17).
• and states that, when He comes, the Jews will be back in Israel (Jeremiah 23:7-8).

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