Jeremiah: A Prophet for the Times

 

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Text:  Jeremiah 1:1-3

 

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare^[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

(ESV)

 

The year 2020 was unprecedented and carries forward many unresolved issues from 2020.  Covid19 is still an issue with many states and communities still shut down.  If the Covid19 numbers continue to rise more states and communities may shut down.  While the economy shows signs of recovery from the shutdowns, the prospect of continued and even more shutdowns are a drag to necessary economic recovery affecting many industries, and those working in these industries.  Continued violence in many U.S. cities along with cuts in law enforcement budgets needed to end the violence threaten the lives and economies in these communities.  There is also the issue of the social development of children lacking the social interaction of attending class because they must attend class online. 

 

Something rarely mentioned in the media is the spiritual health of a nation in chaos.  The Church is crucial for the spiritual health of the nation but with limitations on the size and numbers allowed to gather, and some communities still banning churches meeting at, it has become difficult for the Church to function as a place restoring spiritual health.  While many churches can make services available online, this does not provide social interaction between believers, something deemed necessary in Scripture (Hebrews 10:25).  Watch parties to watch live-streamed or recorded services and small group Bible studies can fill the role of social interaction between believers in Christ but some communities even place limitations on these gatherings. 

 

The Saturday postings for the year 2021 will begin with a verse-by-verse study of the book of Jeremiah.  One of the most well-known verses in Jeremiah is Jeremiah 29:11, reminding Israel that God’s plans for them were for their good and not their destruction.  What makes this verse applicable for the world today is it was written during a time of exile for Israel bringing the nation hope that God would make things work for the good of God’s people (Romans 8:28).  This makes Jeremiah the right messenger for that time in Israel’s history, something the Church must become in the year 2021, and why a study of Jeremiah is crucial. 

 

Jeremiah 1:1-3 placed the prophecies of Jeremiah within their historical context.  Jeremiah is the son of Hilkiah, a priest in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin.  Jeremiah began receiving prophecies from the Lord during the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah.  Josiah was one of the few good kings in Judah and brought many needed reforms to Israel including repairs to the Temple (2 Kings 22:3-7).  After the discovery of the book of the Law during Temple renovations (2 Kings 22:8-20), Josiah implemented reforms that eliminated pagan worship with the destruction of pagan shrines and even the burning of pagan priests on the altars they built (2 Kings 23:1-20).  Josiah also restored observance of the Passover (2 Kings 23:21-27).  Unfortunately, king Josiah died in battle (2 Kings 23:28-30) handing the kingdom down to his sons who did not share their father’s dedication to the work of the Lord, leading to the captivity of Jerusalem and the exile of Israel (2 Kings 23:31-25:21). 

 

This historical context of the book of Jeremiah is a time of the political, economic, and spiritual deterioration of the nation.  The nation has gone from the high of the reforms of Josiah to the low of exile due to a lack of obedience to God and His Word.  With this context in mind, the underlying theme of Jeremiah is the need for repentance and reliance on God’s mercy and grace (Jeremiah 3:12-14, 29:11).  Jeremiah 29:11, written during a time when Israel was in exile in a foreign nation is a promise of hope for tomorrow and strength for today.  As a demonstration of his hope in God’s restoring Israel to their land, Jeremiah even purchases land in Israel to demonstrate his faith God will restore Israel to their land (Jeremiah 32:1-15). 

 

The study of Jeremiah will remind us of is that,

 

1)      The majority opinion is not necessarily God’s will (1 Corinthians 1:18; Romans 12:2)

2)      Punishment for sin is severe but there is hope in the mercy of God (Romans 5:8, 6:23)

3)      God does not accept empty and insincere worship (Jeremiah 16:11)

4)      Serving God does not guarantee earthly security (John 16:33)

 

The world finds itself in a similar situation to Israel as it has gone from a period of prosperity to exile due to a pandemic.  However, God remains in control with his plans for his people and the Church for their benefit and not their destruction (Jeremiah 29:11).  I pray that this study of the book of Jeremiah will bring hope and remind everyone that God is in control no matter what challenges the year 2021 brings.