MESSAGE OF DOOM

Jeremiah condemned the wickedness of the people of Judah and pronounced judgement and punishment upon them.

Jeremiah said that Judah deserved to be punished because the people had turned against their own God.

Jeremiah saw that destruction would come over Judah from the north for he saw a boiling pot that was about to over flow towards him during his call.

Jeremiah showed the people that the Lord was determined to punish them because they had sinned and abandoned him.

Jeremiah said that the Lord would drive the people out of his sight just as he had done to their relative Israel (Jeremiah 7: 15).

Jeremiah told Judah that she would be taken into exile. She would live under their captivity and be subjected to a lot of torture.

Jeremiah prophesied that the people of Judah would be in disgrace just as a thief when caught. He showed that they would be ashamed before others.

Jeremiah said that the city of Jerusalem would be destroyed. Despite the fact that they valued and treasured the city, it would be brought to ruins.

Jeremiah also prophesied the destruction of the Jerusalem temple. He told the people that the temple and its wealth which was a source of their pride would be taken away by their enemies.

Jeremiah told the people of Judah that God was determined to kill them in large numbers. Death would be so much that the people would hardly find where to bury their loved ones.

Jeremiah compared the people of Judah with a prostitute for she would be like a prostitute dressed so smartly but without knowing that she was about to be killed.

Jeremiah told the people that God would withdraw his presence among them. He showed them that the lord would no longer listen to their prayer at a time they need him most.

Jeremiah showed that the Lord would send an earthquake to the land of Judah. It would destroy their property thus rendering their materialistic tendencies useless.

He prophesied that the Lord would make the land of Canaan infertile. Consequently, there would be poor harvest thus leading to famine and starvation.

Jeremiah said that the valley of Hinnom would be destroyed together with the people who had turned it into a slaughter place.

Jeremiah said that a great number of the people of Judah would be taken away as prisoners. He declared that those who escape being taken away would be killed by the enemies.

He said that the Lord was determined to look for the people of Judah wherever they would be and destroy them. At that time, there would be no place of hiding for them.

Jeremiah described a situation where Jerusalem had stabbed herself in her heart and was now bleeding to death.

In his vision of a basket full of rotten figs, Jeremiah said that the people of Judah had gone astray and were now ripe for destruction.  

When Jeremiah destroyed a pair of his linen shorts, he said that the people would be destroyed in the same way.

Jeremiah prophesied that the people of Judah would be smashed. He dramatized this by smashing a jar pot he had just bought in the presence of the people.

Jeremiah predicted a period of difficulties in life in the land of Judah. At that time, the people would be led away as prisoners. He demonstrated this message by wearing a wooden yoke upon the Lord's command (Jer. 27:1 ff).

He told the people of Judah that God would withdraw his presence from them. The Lord would no longer listen to their prayer.

Jeremiah showed the people of Judah that there was no need to marry, attend any burial ceremony or any other feast. He said that such were unnecessary because Lord was about to destroy them all.

Jeremiah prophesied that terror would be everywhere in Judah. This was by renaming priest Pashhur as "Terror Everywhere"(Jer. 20:3).

Jeremiah told the people of Judah that the Lord would put them under the power of the Babylonian king. At that time, the king would take some of them away as prisoners to his country (Jer. 20:4).

JEREMIAH'S TEACHINGS ON HOPE

(Jeremiah 31:23 ff, 32:36 ff, 33:1 ff)

Jeremiah, being a man of deep passion for his own people came up with messages of hope and consolation. He looked forward to a time when the future would be bright for the people of Judah.

Jeremiah prophesied that the Lord would make a new covenant with the people of Judah. In this covenant, each individual would be responsible for his or her sins thus marking a new beginning with his people (Jer. 32:40).

According to Jeremiah, God promised to heal the city of Jerusalem, its people and restore them good health (Jer. 33:6).

Jeremiah prophesied future prosperity for both Judah and Israel. He would rebuild them as they were before (Jer. 33 :7).

Jeremiah showed the Lord was willing to purify his people from the sins they had committed against him and forgive their sins and rebellion (Jer. 33:8).

Jeremiah told Judah that the Lord would make Jerusalem a source of his joy, honour and pride (Jer. 33:9).

Jeremiah told the people of Judah that the Lord had promised never to be angry with them anymore. He would accept them the way they were.

Jeremiah encouraged the people of Judah to admit their guilt and confess their sins in order for the Lord to forgive them.

Jeremiah prophesied the reunion of Judah and Israel. He said that they would once again be the one nation of God. At that time, they would put aside their differences and live in harmony.

Jeremiah told Judah that the Lord would choose a new and a righteous king from the line of David to be their ruler. The new king would be just throughout the land (Jer. 33 :34).

Jeremiah revealed that the Lord was going to gather his people from all the countries he had scattered them in his anger and take them back to their land in safety. This pointed towards the end of exile life (Jer. 32:37).

Jeremiah saw a time when God would have Judah as his own people once again. They would be his people and he would be their God (Jer. 33:37).

The Lord promised Jeremiah that he would keep on doing good things for his own people. This would be a source of his pleasure (Jer. 33 :40).

Jeremiah said that the Lord would destroy Israel's neighbours. This would guarantee stability in their land.

Jeremiah wrote a letter to the exiles as a way of comforting them. He showed them that God knew what they were experiencing and would respond accordingly.

Jeremiah told the people of Judah that they would increase in number after having returned from exile. This meant that the Lord would once again bless them with children.

Jeremiah called upon the people of Judah to be free with the Lord instead of fearing him. In his temple sermon, Jeremiah urged the people of Judah to repent their sins in order for them to be forgiven.

He called upon the people to remain calm even if they were suffering. He said that the Lord knew their problems and would respond accordingly.

Revision Questions

1.          "Jeremiah was a prophet of judgement and hope” Discuss

2.          Account for God's refusal for Jeremiah to marry and have children

3.          Justify the Lord's command to Jeremiah to stay away from any house of feasting.