12 August

Bible In 365 Days                                        

Jeremiah 1-3 

Jeremiah 1

The first three verses constitute a title page naming the author and giving the dates of the period during which he exercised his ministry. The Book opens with the account of Jeremiah's call, and at once reveals the clearness of that call and his shrinking from the great work. With great patience Jehovah bore with Jeremiah's fear, and encouraged him by words and signs. It is interesting to note how the "I" of Jehovah was set over against the "I" of Jeremiah.

Two signs were granted to him, the first, the almond tree, being life in the midst of death, or spring following winter. In a day when the word of the Lord seemed to be forgotten entirely, Jehovah declared, "I watch over My word to perform it."

The second was a seething cauldron, the sign of coming destruction. After these signs the word of divine command was spoken to Jeremiah, and strength equal to the task awaiting him was promised.

Jeremiah 2

The first movement in commissioning the called man now commences. He was commanded to utter a great impeachment in the ears of Jerusalem. This impeachment was threefold. It first declared how Israel had forsaken Jehovah, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves. In the second place, Israel was charged with obstinate sinfulness, the meaning of her suffering was declared, the folly of her alliances was pointed out, the guilt of her degeneracy was pronounced, the falseness of her denial of sin was denounced, the helplessness of her gods was declared, and the injustice of her protest was affirmed.

This section moves forward in the form of question and answer. The impeachment ends with a summary, charging Israel with lack of love, obstinate impenitence, and useless alliances.

Jeremiah 3

Following the impeachment, the prophet appealed to the people to return. This appeal commenced with a declaration that Jehovah's love was greater than man's in that He was willing to receive back the people who had been unfaithful if they would return to Him.

Jeremiah then pointed out the conditions of return, describing the sin of Israel, and of Judah, and appealing to each in turn. Of course, his message was principally to Judah, as he pointed out that because Judah had persisted in her sin, in spite of all she had seen of the evil results in the case of Israel, her attitude was more terrible than that of Israel.

This is followed by the recitation of an ideal confession for the sinning people. Weeping, they make their supplication. Recognizing the vanity of expecting help from any source other than Jehovah, they turn to Him with confession of sin.