Jeremiah
Jeremiah
Jeremiah has made many prophesies, which can be classified into 3 kinds: imminent, distant and eschatological prophesies. These prophesies are made during the 3 reigns of Judah kings, beginning from the 13th year of Josiah through 11 years of Jehoikim to the 11th year of Zedekiah, both of whom are the sons of Josiah. (1:2-3). [Josiah has reigned 31 years. He was killed by the king of Egypt in Megiddo. His son Jehoahaz (約哈斯) succeeded him but reigned only 3 months and was taken to Egypt by Pharaoh and died there. (Jer 22:10-12) Pharaoh then made Josiah’s son Eliakim king and changed his name to Jehoiakim. (II Kings 23:28-34)] Jeremiah himself is the son of Hilkiah who is of the priests that are in Anathoth (亞拿突) in the land of Benjamin. (1:1)
Imminent prophesies
These are the prophesies that are realized during his lifetime.
(the fall of Judah)
Throughout the entire period of Jeremiah’s ministry, the Lord has given prophesy that He would call the kingdoms of the north (basically Babylon) to fight against Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah. The people would be captured to Babylon eventually. (1:15; 4:6-7,11-13,16-17,19-21; 5:6,15-19; 6:1,6-7,9,22-26; 9:11-12,15-22; 10:22; 13:17-19; 15:11-14; 16:13; 17:3-4; 18:16-17; 20:4-5; 21:3-10;) This prophesy was fulfilled and recorded in 52:12-16.
The Chaldeans shall burn the city of Jerusalem. (32:29)
Zedekiah sent men to Jeremiah to pray for them. The Chaldeans that besieged Jerusalem, on hearing that Egypt’s army was coming, departed from Jerusalem. The Lord told Jeremiah to send message back to Zedekiah that Pharaoh’s army would return to Egypt and the Chaldeans would come again and burn the city. (37:3-10)
(the fate of the chief of the holy temple)
Jeremiah prophesied to Pashur (巴施戶珥), the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor (總管) in the house of the Lord and put Jeremiah in the stocks in the high gate of Benjamin by the house of the Lord, that he and all that dwell in his house shall go into captivity, and he himself and all his friends shall die and be buried in Babylon during the time of the captivity. (20:6)
(the vessels of the holy temple)
Jeremiah told the priests not to listen to the false prophets; the Lord will surely bring the vessels of the Lord’s house that remain in Jerusalem to Babylon until the day he visits (眷顧) them and will then restore the vessels. (27:16-22)
(the fate of the false prophets)
The prophets caused my people to err, commit adultery and lie; I will make them drink the water of gall. (23:9-15)
The prophet Hananiah (哈拿尼雅) spoke to Jeremiah before the people that the Lord would break the yoke of the king of Babylon and bring all vessels and Jeconiah (耶哥尼雅) the son of Jehoiakim and all the captives back within 2 years. The Lord told Jeremiah to tell Hananiah that He has put a yoke of iron upon the neck of all the nations that they shall serve Nebuchadnezzar, and Hananiah shall die this year; Hananiah died. (28:1-4, 12-17)
The Lord will persecute those that are not gone into captivity; the Lord will slay the two false prophets Ahab and Zedekiah before the eyes of the captives in Babylon. (29:15-23)
The Lord told Jeremiah to send his words to the captives that He would punish Shemaiah (示瑪雅) and his seed because he has taught rebellion against the Lord. (29:29-32) [Shemaiah the Nehelamite (尼希蘭人) sent letters in the name of the Lord to the priests in Jerusalem saying that Jeremiah made himself a prophet and told the Jews that the captivity was long.]
(the fate of Judah kings)
Shallum (沙龍，即約哈斯--Jehoahaz) the son of Josiah the king shall be captured and die in foreign land. (22:10-12) [He was taken to Egypt and died there.]
Jehoiakim the son of Josiah shall be cast beyond the gates of Jerusalem. (22:18-19)
Coniah (哥尼雅 ,or Jeconiah 耶哥尼雅, or Jehoiachin 約雅斤) shall be given to the hands of the Chaldeans and die in another country with his mother; no man of his seed shall rule anymore in Judah. (22:24-30)
The Lord showed Jeremiah two baskets of figs, good and bad. Like the evil figs, I will remove Zedekiah and his princes and the residue and consume them. (24:1-3, 8-10)
Jeremiah spoke to Zedekiah and told him to submit to the king of Babylon, or he and his people will die. (27:12-15)
The Lord told Jeremiah to tell Zedekiah that he would go to Babylon and shall not die by the sword but die in peace. (34:1-7)
The Lord told Jeremiah to write another roll all the former words and pronounce to the king Zedekiah that he shall have none to sit upon the throne of David and his dead body shall be cast outside, and the Lord shall bring upon the people of Judah all the evil he has pronounced. (36:27-31)
(Jeremiah’s purchase of his relative's field)
The Lord told Jeremiah that his uncle’s son would ask him to buy his field in Anathoth, which occurred later. (32:6-8)
(the fate of Ebedmelech)
The Lord told Jeremiah to tell Ebedmelech (以伯米勒) that the Lord would save his life because he has put his trust in Him. (39:15-18) [Ebedmelech the Ethiopian (古實人), who was an eunuch, told Zedekiah the king that Jeremiah would die of hunger. The king let him rescue Jeremiah from the court of the prison. (38:7-13)]
(the fate of Johanan and the fall of Egypt)
After the fall of Judah under the hands of Babylon, Johanan (約哈難) told Gedaliah (基大利), the governor over the cities of Judah, that the king of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael (以實瑪利), of the royal seed, to slay him. He asked Gedaliah to let him slay Ishmael but Gedaliah did not believe his words (40:13-16) Ishmael killed Gedaliah and all the Jews and the Chaldeans at Mizpah. (41:1-3) Ishmael carried away captive the remaining people in Mizpah to the Ammonites. (41:9-10) Johanan pursued Ishmael in Gibeon and rescued the captives. Ishmael escaped to the Ammonites.
Johanan carried the people and was to go to Egypt for fear of the Chaldeans. (41:11-18) Johanan asked Jeremiah to pray to the Lord for the way to go and they promised they will obey the voice of the Lord. Jeremiah gave the Lord’s reply to Johanan and the remnant of Judah that if they abide in the land of Judah, the Lord will build them and not pull them down; but if they are afraid of the king of Babylon and sojourn in Egypt, they will die of sword, famine and pestilence. Jeremiah said he has already declared all the words of the Lord but said the remnant has not obeyed the voice of the Lord, they would certainly die in Egypt. (42:1-22)
Johanan believed it was Baruch who wanted to deliver them to the Chaldeans through Jeremiah. They refused to obey the voice of the Lord and took all the remnant, including Jeremiah and Baruch, to Tahpanhes (答比匿) in Egypt. (43:1-7) The Lord told Jeremiah to hide great stones in the clay at the entry of Pharaoh’s house in the sight of the men of Judah in Tahpanhes, prophesying that Nebuchadrezzar would set his throne upon these stones and that he would smite the land of Egypt and burn the houses of the gods of Egypt. (43:8-13) The Lord shall consume the remnant of Judah in Egypt by sword and famine like those in Jerusalem before. (44:11-14) All the men and women replied Jeremiah that they would insist on burning incense to the queen of heaven (天后) because if they stop so doing, they might see evil upon themselves. (44:15-19) The Lord again stated that all the men of Judah shall be consumed by sword and famine, but a small number that escape the sword shall return to the land of Judah. The Lord gave them a sign that He would give Pharaohhophra (法老合弗拉) the king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, as He gave Zedekiah into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar. (44:24-30) Jeremiah prophesied that the Egyptian army shall fall toward the north by the river Euphrates. Nebuchadrezzar shall come and smite the land of Egypt. The daughters of Egypt shall go into captivity and the land shall be desolate. Afterward, it shall be inhabited again. (46:1-26)
(the fate of Baruch)
The Lord told Baruch (巴錄) not to seek great things for himself (為自己圖謀大事), but the Lord would give his life for a prey (我必使你以自己的命為掠物) (NRSV, ‘I will give you your life as a prize of war in every place to which you may go.’) (45:1-5)
[Baruch was a scribe and was the assistant of Jeremiah; even in danger the Lord promised He would protect his life.]
Distant prophesies
(the fall of the nations into the hands of Babylon)
The Lord sent Jeremiah to the kings of all nations around Jerusalem to drink the wine cup of his fury. The kings shall drink the cup of fury and be drunken; they shall all fall when the Lord send the sword upon them. (25:15-29)
The Lord told Jeremiah to make bonds and yokes and put upon his neck, and send them by the messengers to the kings, signifying that the Lord has given all their lands to the king of Babylon. Those nations that do not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon will be consumed. Jeremiah told them not to hearken to the false prophets, but serve the king of Babylon and live. (27:1-11)
(the fall of Babylon)
Nebuchadrezzar shall make the land desolate; the nations shall serve him 70 years (Nebuchadnezzar attacked Jerusalem in the 1st year of his reign, which was the 3rd year of King Jehoiakim; Jerusalem was conquered in the 19th year of King Nebuchadnezzar; the kingdom of Babylon lasted about 70 years.); after that, the Lord will punish the king of Babylon and make the land of the Chaldeans perpetual desolations. (25:8-14)
A nation shall come from the north against Babylon and make her desolate (50:1-51:58)—the kings of the Medes (50:11, 28).
(the return of Babylon's captivity)
The seed of Israel shall be led out of the north country and dwell in their own land. (23:7-8)
The Lord showed Jeremiah two baskets of figs, good and bad. Like the good figs, I will bring them back; I will build and plant them; they shall return to me with whole heart. (24:1-7)
After 70 years of captivity, the Lord will bring back the captives. (29:10-14)
(Jesus)
The Lord will raise a righteous Branch (苗裔) and a King shall reign over Judah. (23:5-6)
I will cause the Branch of righteousness (公義的苗裔) to grow up unto David; he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. David never want a man (必永不缺人) to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel. (33:14-18)
(the salvation of God’s people)
The Gentiles shall come unto the Lord from the ends of the earth. The Lord will cause them to know that His name is the Lord. (16:19-21)
The Lord will gather the remnant of my flock and set up shepherds over them. (23:1-4)
The time of Jacob’s trouble is great, but I will save thee; they shall serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise up. The city and the palace shall be built; ye shall be my people and I will be your God. (30:4-11,18-22)
I will be the God of Israel and they shall be my people; I will build Israel again. (31:1-6)
I will make a new covenant with Israel; I will put my law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts. (31:31-37)
I will bring them again to this place and make an everlasting covenant with them. (32:36-41)
I will cure them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth; it shall be a name of joy, praise and honour before all the nations. There will be the voice of joy and gladness in this place. There shall be a habitation of shepherds in this place. (33:1-13)
(the fate of the Rechabites)
In the days of Jehoiakim, the Lord told Jeremiah to tell the house of the Rechabites (利甲族的人) to drink wine but they refused. The Lord said that the house of the Rechabites shall not want a man (必永不缺人) to stand before the Lord forever. (35:1-11, 18-19)
(the fate of the nations)
An army of the north shall smite the Philistines. (47:1-7)
Moab shall be destroyed (48:1-44)
Rabbah (拉巴) of the Ammonites shall be a desolate heap; her daughters shall be burned with fire; Israel shall be heir to them (得他們的地為業). Their king, priests and princes shall go into captivity; I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon (使被擄的亞捫人歸回). (49:1-6)
Edom is spoiled. Bozrah (波斯拉) shall become a desolation. I will gather the heathen to come against Edom because of her pride. (49:1-22)
I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus; it shall consume the palaces of Benhadad. (49:23-27)
Nebuchadrezzar shall smite Kedar (基達) and Hazor (夏瑣). Hazor shall be a desolation forever. (49:28-33)
I will destroy the king and princes of Elam and scatter the people; but in the latter days, I will bring again the captivity of Elam. (49:34-39)
Eschatological prophesies
The Lord will bring Israel to Zion and give them pastors to feed them. The people shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord. All the nations shall be gathered to Jerusalem. The house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel; they shall come together out of the land of the north. They shall call the Lord ‘My father’ and regard Him as the salvation of Israel. (3:14-23)
In the latter days, the fierce anger of the Lord shall not return until he has done it. (30:23-24)
The city shall be built and be holy to the Lord and not be thrown down forever. (31:38-40)
I will bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days. (48:45-47)
I will destroy the king and princes of Elam and scatter the people; but in the latter days, I will bring again the captivity of Elam. (49:34-39)
Features of the Book
(Mission of Jeremiah)
The Lord has given Jeremiah a mission: He has set him over the nations and kingdoms, “to root out and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant”. (1:10; 18:7-10; 24:6; 31:27-28; 42:10) The phrase refers to the destruction of Jerusalem and the rebuild of it, as well as the return of the captivity. The phrase also applies to other nations either for their good or destruction, as stated in 18:7-10:
"At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it. If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them (我就必後悔，不將我想要施行的災禍降與他們).
And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it. If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them (我就必後悔，不將我所說的福氣賜給他們)."
(Metaphors)(暗喻)
Jeremiah saw a rod of an almond tree (杏樹枝) and a seething pot (燒開的鍋) toward the north; the Lord prophesied he would call the kingdoms of the north to fight against Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah. (1:11-15)
Israel has committed two evils: forsaken the Lord who is the fountain of living waters and hewed out (鑿出) broken cisterns (池子) that can hold no water. (2:13; 17:13)
Reprobate silver (被棄的銀渣) shall men call them (my people), because the Lord hath rejected them. (6:30)
The Lord told Jeremiah to hide a girdle (腰帶) in Euphrates and get it back later; he found the girdle was marred (變壞) and useless. The Lord will mar the pride of Judah like this girdle. (13:1-11)
The Lord told Jeremiah to go to the potter’s house; the potter made another vessel of clay to replace the one that was marred (壞)). Israel is like the clay in the potter’s hand; the Lord will repent from destroying a nation if it turns from evil, or He will repent from doing good to it if it doesn’t obey His voice. (18:1-11)
The Lord told Jeremiah to get a potter’s earthen bottle and bring the ancients (長老) to Tophet (陀斐特), the valley of the son of Hinnom (欣嫩子谷), which shall be called The valley of slaughter (殺戮谷) instead. The Lord told Jeremiah to break the potter’s vessel; thus the Lord will break the people of Israel and the city and bury them in Tophet. (19:1-13)
The Lord showed Jeremiah two baskets of figs, good and bad. Like the good figs, I will bring them back; I will build and plant them; they shall return to me with whole heart. Like the evil figs, I will remove Zedekiah and his princes and the residue and consume them. (24:1-10)
The Lord sent Jeremiah to the kings of all nations around Jerusalem to drink the wine cup of his fury. The kings shall drink the cup of fury and be drunken; they shall all fall when the Lord send the sword upon them. (25:15-29)
The Lord told Jeremiah to make bonds and yokes and put upon his neck, and send them by the messengers to the kings, signifying that the Lord has given all their lands to the king of Babylon. Those nations that do not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon will be consumed; those that do not hearken to the false prophets but serve the king of Babylon shall live. (27:1-11)
The Lord told Jeremiah that his uncle’s son would ask him to buy his field in Anathoth, which occurred later. Jeremiah bought the field and gave the evidence of the purchase to Baruch (巴錄) and told him to put it in an earthen vessel because the Lord said that houses and fields would be possessed again. (32:6-15)
The Lord told Jeremiah to hide great stones in the clay at the entry of Pharaoh’s house in the sight of the men of Judah in Tahpanhes, prophesying that Nebuchadrezzar would set his throne upon these stones and that he would smite the land of Egypt and burn the houses of the gods of Egypt. (43:8-13)
Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil upon Babylon and commanded Seraiah (西萊雅), a prince (王宮的大臣), to read in Babylon when Seraiah went with Zedekiah to Babylon in the 4th year of Zedekiah’s reign [the 11th year of King Nubuchadnezzar]; after reading, Seraiah was told to bind a stone to the book and cast it into Euphrates and say that Babylon shall sink. (51:59-64)
(Complaints against Judah)
They sought help from Egypt and Assyria.
They worshipped and got help from the idols instead of seeking help from the Lord.
The Lord had given the backsliding Israel a bill of divorce (休書); yet her treacherous sister Judah continued to defile the land by committing adultery with stones and stocks (木頭). (3:6-10) “Surely as a wife treacherously depart from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the Lord.” (3:20)