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A Bible Study in the book of Jeremiah. We encourage you to pray before you begin reading that the Lord would open your heart and mind to be receptive and responsive to God’s message contained within this study. There may be times when you find it difficult to reconcile God’s truth to your own opinion or worldview, God’s truth is eternal, it does not change, our understanding of the truth does change as we allow God to work in our hearts and minds.

j e r e m i a hAnne O’BrieN

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JEREMIAH

FormanyreasonsJeremiahisnotaneasybooktoreadortoteach.Itisalongbookandthepropheciesarenotallinchronologicalorder.Addedtothat,thecontentislargelydepressing,withjustafewglimpsesofhope.Andyetitisabookwellworthreadingbecause,whenreadasawhole,itgivesusapictureofafaithfulandlovingGodwhoisperfectloveandperfectjustice.ItrevealstousGod’splan,notjustfortheJewsbutalsoforthegentiles.Ihavedecidedtostudythebookinthemes,ratherthanchapterafterchapter,allowingustogetanoverallviewin9easy-to-followsessions,asfollows:Lesson1–AnIntroductionLesson2–Jeremiah’scalltoprophesyLesson3–Goddenouncesthepeople’ssinLesson4–Goddenouncestheleaders’sinsLesson5–AlookatJeremiah’sheartandfeelingsLesson6–God’sprovision-BaruchLesson7–AlookatGod’sheartforhispeopleLesson8–AsummaryofthepropheciesLesson9–HowJeremiahimpactsonus.

JEREMIAHLesson1IntroductionJeremiahwasayoungmanwhenGodcalledhimtoalifeofprophecy.Hewasnottohaveaneasyministrybecausefor40yearshewouldproclaimamessagethatwasexceedinglyunpopularanddepressing.ImagineifGodaskedtheArchbishopofCanterburytostandinfrontofthecamerasdayafterdayanddenounceBritainforfallingawayfromGod;andthensayingthatGodwoulduseoneofthecurrentfearedworldpowerstoinvadeourcountry,makeusexilesandstealallourwealth.Couldyouseeanyonebelievinghim?No-onebelievedJeremiahorrespondedtothewordsofGodthathesofaithfullyproclaimed.Godwasreadytoforgiveandbless,butthepeoplerefusedtohearthemessageandrepent.InthisBookweseetwoimportantthemes:

• ThesinsandthefateofthenationofJudah• ThefeelingsoftheprophetJeremiah

Q.Howdoyoufeelifyouhavetobreakhardnewstosomeone,especiallyiftheywon’tbelieveyou?HistoricalbackgroundThenorthern10tribesofIsraelhadbeencarriedintocaptivitybyAssyriaandwidelydispersed.Thisallhappenedduringthe60yearsofIsaiah’sprophecy.ThetwosoutherntribesofJudahandBenjamin(referredtojustasJudah)remainedforover100yearsmore:

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• 720B.C:Thetennortherntribesweretakenintocaptivity• 599-586B.C.ThesiegeofJerusalemfollowedbyitsdestructionandthelastwaveofcaptivestaken

toBabylonia.Jeremiah(rightly)predicteda70yearexile.JeremiahprophesiedagainsttheJewishtheocracywhichwouldbepunishedthroughthemediumoftheBabylonians.Healsoprophesiedagainstalltheothernations.Thesepropheciesarenotarrangedinchronologicalorder(whichmakesstudymoredifficult!!).

GeographicalcontextSeeappendix1.TheAssyrianshadalreadyexiledthepeoplefromthetennortherntribesofIsraelandassimilatedthemintoAssyriaordispersedthem.Theyreplacedthemwithpeoplefromtheirempire,whoultimatelybecameknownastheSamaritans.WhenBabyloniasucceededAssyriatheycarriedoffthepeopleofJudahtoBabylonia,buttheyeventuallyreturnedtotheirland70yearslater,inaccordancewithallofJeremiah’sprophecies.

BiblicalandArchaeologicaltextsTheeventsaredescribedin2Kings,Isaiah,Jeremiah,Lamentations,EzekielandDaniel.Theyarebackedupbyalargeamountofothercontemporaryevidenceincluding:(seepicturesinAppendix2–theseartefactscanbeseenintheBritishMuseum.)

• TheLachishletters• Babylonianstonechronicles(Jechoiachin)• Assyriansteles(inscriptiononapillar)• Cyruscylinderinstructingthereturnofexiles

IftheBibleisverifiedbyhistoricalandarchaeologicalproofswhyshouldweeverdoubttherestofitscontentandmessage?Jeremiah’sministrycoveredabout40years.Duringallthattimehewasunsuccessfulandnotlistenedto,dueinlargeparttotheevilinthenation(whichfiltereddownfromthemenatthetop).HewascontemporarywithJudah’slastfourkings.

ThekingsofJudahJOSIAHJeremiahiscalledbyGodatthecloseofthereignofthelastgoodkingofJudah(theboyKing,Josiah–see2Chronicles34v1-7)whowas8yearsoldandreignedfor31years.JosiahwassuccessfulinbringingsomereformsbutonlybecausethepeoplelovedhimratherthanlovingGod.JEHOIAKIMOneofJudah’smostevilkings.See2Kings23v37andJeremiah22v13JEHOIACHINAlsoevil,capturedbyNebuchadnezzarandtakenexiletoBabylonia.See2Kings24v12

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ZEDEKIAHJudah’slastking.HeopposedallthatJeremiahprophesiedandconsequentlysufferedatthehandsofNebuchadnezzar.SeeJeremiah32v3and2Kings25v7Howisthisbookrelevanttous?ThisbookisabouttrustingGodinaverytroubledworld.It’saboutfocussingonGod’spromisesandnotontheproblems.It’saboutrememberingthatGodhasaplanformankindandhewillalwaysfindawaytoimplementhisplan.JeremiahtellsusabouttheriseofBabyloniaandhowGodusedthisenemypowertofulfilhisplansforhispeople.HistoricalfactsshowushowGodintervenedwithactsofnature(includinganeclipsein610B.CandamightyfloodoftheTigriswhichdestroyedthewallsofthecityofNineveh)toallowtheBabylonianstooverruleAssyria(thepreviousworldpowerwhohaddominatedNorthernIsrael).OurGodisaBIGGod!!HeistheGodofHistory.

Jeremiahchapter1Lesson2InwhichJeremiahreceiveshiscalltoprophesy.Readverses1-3:Jeremiahwasthesonofapriest–Hilkiah,fromthetribeandterritoryofBenjamin.ThetribesofJudahandBenjaminwereallthatwasleftofIsraelaftertheAssyriansremovedthe10northerntribesfromtheirland(seeintroduction).Thegood,youngKingJosiahwasonthethroneatthebeginningofhisministryandverse3tellsusthatJeremiahcontinuedtoprophesythroughoutthereignsofJehoiakim,Jehoiachin,andZedekiah;altogether,hewasGod’sprophetfor30years.Readverses4&5:Whatanamazingaffirmationofaperson’svalue!CreatorGodknowsusevenbeforeconceptionand“knitsus”inthewomb.Thisisnota‘one-off’.WealsoreadhowGodrevealedthistruthtoKingDavid,Isaiah,Samson,Samuel,JobandtheApostlePaul.Read:Psalm139v13,15&16;Job10v8-12and33v4;Isaiah49v1;Judges13v5;Galatians1v15GodwhoknewandcalledJeremiahisthesameGodwhoknowsusfromourbeginning,andcallsustofollowhimasdisciples.Q.Godchoseme…HowshouldthismakeusfeelaboutourselvesandaboutGod?Readverses6&7:“Iamtooyoung”.ThesewordswerealsoutteredbyGideon(Judges6v15)andDavid(1Kings3v7).Perhapswearemorelikelytosay,“Iamtooold”!ThepointhereisthatGoddoesn’tchoosepeopleaccordingtoourcriteria–heissimplylookingforobedience.Because,ultimatelyitisnotwhatwesay,butwhatweallowhimtosaythroughus.WhatbecomesapparentintheBookofJeremiahisthatGodmeasuresoursuccessbyobedienceandnotbyresults.God’sinstructionwas,“Justtakemymessagetothepeople”anditisthesameinstructiontous(seeMatthew28v19&20).

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Q.Whengivenaninstructionlikethis,whatisourimmediatereaction?Readverse8-10:Ournaturalinstinctistobeafraid,especiallyifthemessageisuncomfortableorchallengingorweknowthatitwillnotbewellreceived,asJeremiahdid.AndGodknowsthatandunderstandsthat,becausealongwiththecommandhegivesanassurance,“Iamwithyou”.Sothat…WhenwespeaktoourfriendsandfamilyaboutJesusandtheyarenotreceptive;whenweplodonforyearsinastrugglingSundaySchoolorchurch;whenweputoneventsthatbringnofruit–ifwearetellingpeopleaboutJesusthenweareobedienttoGod’scallandheispleasedwithus.ThisiswhatGodwantedJeremiahtograsp.Whatwedoorsaymayseeminsignificantorevenineffective,butonlyGodknowshowithelpstowardshisgoals.Readverses11-15a:GodgaveJeremiah2piecesofconfirmation:1. Thebranchofanalmondtree.(Hebrewshaqadwhichisaplayonwords–ahomograph).The

almondtreeisthefirsttobloom,evenbeforethespringarrives,itisreadyandwaiting.Thesameword–shaqad–alsomeans“watching”.Godwaswatchingthetimeandjudgmentwasathand.JudahwasabouttoexperienceGod’sjudgmentandanewphaseinhistory.

2. Thepotthatwasboiling.Becauseoftheirwickedness,JudahandJerusalemwouldbeoverthrownbytheenemyfromthenorth.TheJewsthoughtthattheyhadescapedGod’sjudgmentwhenthe10tribesfromthenorthweredispersedbytheAssyrians.ButbecauseoftheirevilwaysGodwasgoingtobringanewenemy.Thepotwasalreadyboiling.TheBabyloniansweresoontotakeworldpowerfromAssyria.GodwastellingJeremiahtopreparethepeopleforjudgment.

Readverses15b-16:Here,GodtellsJeremiahthattheCityofJerusalemwillbebesiegedandgiveshismainreason:Thepeoplehadbeenburningincensetoothergodsandtogodstheyhadmadewiththeirownhands.TheyworshippedothergodsmadeofwoodandstoneandhadforsakentheonetrueGod.Q.Inwhatwaysdopeopledothistoday?Readverses17-19:GodrepeatshiscommissiontoJeremiah,whobynowmustberealisingwhatabigdealthisis!Hewillbestandingbeforekings,officials,priests,andindeedthewholeland.But–Godpromisedtomakehimstrongtoendurethetask,hepromisedtoprotectJeremiahandbewithhimatalltimes.WhenGodappointsus,hefirstanointsusandthenequipsus.Jeremiah–chapters2,5,8,25&18Lesson3InwhichGoddenouncesthepeople’ssinsGodexplainshisreasonsforimpendingjudgment.God’sjudgmentiscloselyrelatedtohisrighteousnessandhisfaithfulness.Justasagoodparentmustbetruetotheirwordandapplypunishmentwherenecessary,sotooGodwillpunishIsrael–andus–ifwedonothearhiswarnings.However,JeremiahrepeatedlysaysthatjudgmentwouldbewithheldifthepeopleheedGod’swarnings.Godisyearningto

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showgraceandmercybutourrebelliongetsintheway.FundamentallyGodisloveandisalwayswaitingforustorepentandtobeinrightrelationshipwithhim.Chapter2–THESIN-SPIRITUALADULTERYReadverses5-9:WecanpictureGod’sbrokenhearthere.Israel,God’sBride,hadoncebeenfaithfulbutnowtheyhadstrayed.Thepeople,includingthepriests,hadtakenallGod’sblessingsanddefiledthem.Readverses10-13:Jeremiahusesametaphor–thespringandthecistern.ThespringrepresentsGod’scontinuous,fresh,life-givingwater.Thecisternwasisahand-builtwaterstoragefacilitywhichcouldbeatankabovegroundormorelikelyareservoirintheground.Suchwasitsconstructionthatitwaslikelytoleakandgetcontaminatedandthereforeitwasnottotallyreliable.JeremiahissayingthattheIsraeliteshadexchangedGod,theSpringofLife,foruselesshand-madegodswhotheycouldnotdependonandwhowouldprobablyharmthem.Q.Doweturntothespring–theWaterofLife–whenwearedown?Ordoweturntosubstituteslikefood,chocolate,T.V,spendingmoneyetc?Readverses20-25:HerewehaveavarietyofsexualmetaphorstoshowhowIsraelhadadulteratedthemselveswithothergods.Israelwaslikenedtoashecameloradonkeyinheatlookingforamate,andnonetoochoosy!(v20,23&24).Thisisnotverycomplementary!ButthisishowGodseesitwhenweleavehimandturntootherpleasuresandmeansofsupport.Readverses32&33:AgainwecanreadbetweenthelinesandseesomethingofGod’sheart.Hisbride,Israel,hadforgottenherweddingpromisesandallthatwasbestoweduponher.IsraelhadstrayedsofarthattheynolongerbelievedthatitwasGodspeakingtothemthroughJeremiah.Addedtotheirsinofadulterywasunbelief,hardenedheartsandarefusaltohearwhatGodwassayingthroughthetrueprophets.Q.DowealwayslistenandhearwhatGodissayingtousthroughthesermonorthroughapropheticword.Orcanwesometimesbeguiltyofswitchingoff?Chapter5–THESIN-DISHONESTYANDLIESReadverses1,4&5:Notonepersonisfoundtobehonestorseekingthetruth,noteventheleaders.Andtheyweren’tdealinginordinaryliesbuttheywerelyingaboutGod.Theydidn’tliketheuncomfortabletruth,sotheychangedit.Readverses11-13:ThepeoplehadliedaboutwhatGodsaidandwhattheprophetssaid.Theywerescornfulofthemessageandthemessenger.Theywouldconstantlyjustifythemselveswithlies.Readverses27-31:Throughlyinganddeceittheybecamerichandpowerful.Theypractisednojusticeandhadstoppedhelpingtheorphansandthepoor.Eventheprophetstoldlies,theysaidwhatthepeoplewantedtohear.Andthepriestsruledaccordingtotheirownrulesbecausethat’swhatthepeoplepreferred!Q.Canyouthinkofinstanceswhenwemightsaysomethingtomakesomeonefeelbetterorhappier,butitisnotinlinewithGod’struth?IsiteasytopointoutwhensomeoneiswrongandthensuggesttheyrepentandknowGod’sforgiveness?

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Chapter8:THESIN-WORSHIPPINGCREATION&NOTTHECREATORReadverses1-3:Theywereintoastrology–“served,followed,consultedandworshipped”.Godhadspecificallyforbiddenthis(Deuteronomy4v19)Readverse12&13:GodwilltakeawaytheharvesttoshowthatHEisincontrolofnature.Readverse20-22:TheseareJeremiah’ssorrowfulobservationsonthesituation.Heasks“why?”butheknowstheanswer.Jeremiah’ssadnessofheartreflectsGod’sownheart.Ifonlythepeoplewouldrepenthecouldbringhealingtothepeople.Q.Doesthishaveanybearingonus?DoyouthinkweshouldcomeinrepentancebeforeweaskGodforhealingastheseversessuggest?SeealsoJames5v16Chapter25:THESIN–REFUSINGTOLISTENReadverses3-7:For23years!!!JeremiahhadbeengivingIsraelthesamemessage(andhestillhadanother7togo!).AndstillthepeoplewouldnotlistenandhearwhatGodwassaying.Weknowtherewillultimatelycomepunishment,butwecannotsaythatGodhasnotbeenpatientandfaithful.Hegaveeveryoneinawholegenerationtheopportunitytorepent.Readverse11:UltimatelytheBabylonianswouldtaketheJudaeanscaptiveandtheirlandwouldbecomedesolate.BUTGODALWAYSOFFERSHOPEANDAWAYOUTChapter18:THEPOTTERANDTHECLAYReadverses1-6:Thepotterwantsaperfectpotandwhenitismarredhewillworkonituntilitishowhewantsittobe.ThepotterrepresentsGodandthepotisIsrael,buttheparablealsospeakstous.AllthatGoddoestousandforus(whetherseeminglygoodorbad)isinordertofulfilhispurposesinourlivesandtobringusclosertohim.Ifwearerepentantandhaveasoftheartthetaskofshapingusiseasier.IfwearehardandunrepentantliketheIsraelitesitwillbeamuchmorepainfulprocess.Readverses7-12:HowwonderfulisGod!Heneverlies,buthewillchangehismindifwerepent–evenatthe‘eleventhhour’.Jeremiah–chapters6,14,22,26,37&38Lesson4InwhichGoddenouncesthesinofIsrael’sleaders.SobadwastheleadershipthateventheBookoftheLawhadbeenlost.KingJosiahbroughtinreforms,foundtheBookandhaditreadtothepeople.Hetoredownthepaganworshipsitesfromtheirmidst.Butthepeoplethemselveshadnotreformedandtheleadersbecameprogressivelyworse.Consequently,GodheldthemresponsibleforIsrael’ssin.

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Readchapter6v13-15:Theleaderswerepronouncedtobeunashamedlygreedy,deceitful,andcoveringuptheseverityofthesituation,byputtingaspinonthefactsbysayingtherewaspeace(whenJeremiahwasprophesyingtheimminentoutbreakofwar).Howmanytimeshashistoryrepeateditselfsincethen?!!Readchapter14v14-16:NotonlydidJeremiahhavetocontendwiththepeopleandtheleadersnotbelievinghim,healsohaddirectoppositionfromtheotherprophets!!Theseprophetswerebasicallymakingstuffuptopleasethepeopleandtheleaders.No-onewantedtorocktheboat,andno-onecamealongsideJeremiah(exceptforBaruchwhowewillstudyinalatersession).Allwereafraid.Readchapter22v13-17:EarlierinthechapterJeremiahhadmadeitclearthatthisjudgmentisagainstthekingsofIsraelwhohadbuilttheirpalacesonunrighteousness,injustice,extortionandoppression.Theyhadexploitedthepeopleandbecamerichattheirexpense,liningtheirpalaceswithgoldandivorywhilsttheworkersweredying.Thesinoftheleaderswasgreaterfortworeasons:

• Becausetheywererichtheyhadthechoiceofbeingkinderandfreerwiththeirmoney• UnderGodtheyhadaresponsibilitytothepeopletheyserved

Q.Howhaveyouseenhistoryrepeatitselfinthisway?Readchapter26v4-11:Verse5mentionstheotherprophetsthatwerecontemporarywithJeremiah:notablyHabakkukandZephaniah.AndduringtheexiletherewasEzekielandDanielprophesyingfromBabylon.Thereactionofthepriestsandprophetswasrathersevere,“Youmustdie”!(v8&11).Itseemsoddthatpeopleshouldthinkthattheycankilloffthetruthbykillingthemessenger(givingrisetothesaying,“Don’tshootthemessenger”).Q.Howdoweseethishappeninginourworldtoday?Readchapter37v11-21:Jeremiahwasarrestedandthrownintoprisononfalsecharges(ratherlikeJesusandtheapostlePaul,andmanyChristianstodayaroundtheworldwhodaretoopposewrongteaching–orevenmerelyproclaimthetruth).Theyweretolearnthatyoucannotkilloffthetruth,neithercanyoulockupthetruth.Readchapter38v4-6:SotheythoughtmaybetheycouldhidethetruthbyputtingJeremiahintoadeepmiry,muddypitandleavinghimtheretodie.Thankstothebraveryofoneman,Ebed-Melek,Jeremiah’slifewassavedandhewasreturnedtotheprison(verses7-13),otherwisehewouldhavedied,suchwasthewickednessofKingZedekiah.TheongoingmessageofGod’struthwasentirelydependentonJeremiahstayingalive!Readchapter24–HOPEANDJUDGMENTTwobasketsoffigsReadverses1-3:JudgmentcameandmorewasyettocomeuponJudahasawhole.No-oneinthenationwouldescape.ThiswaswrittenatatimewhentherehadbeenapartialexileofJudah.TheskilledworkershadbeentakencaptivetoBabylon,buttheevilkingZedekiahandtheunskilledpeoplestillremainedinJerusalem.Zedekiahwastheremoreorlessasapuppetking,thinkingtheworsewasoverandthathewasluckytohaveescaped(hestilldidn’tbelieveJeremiah!).Jeremiahreceivedafurtherprophecyatthisstageinvolvingtwobasketsoffigs:

• Onebasketcontainedfigsgoodtoeat• Intheotherbasketthefigsweresorottentheycouldnotbeeaten.

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JeremiahwasabouttoexplainthatnoteveryonewasthesameinGod’seyes.Someweremoreculpablethanothers.Thebasketofgoodfigs(verses4-7)Thebasketofgoodfigsrepresentedtheordinarypeoplewhohadbeenexploitedandoppressedandnotgiventhetruth.Theywereseenasgood.Andsometranslationsread,“…Ihavesentthemoutofthisplacefortheirowngood.”(v5&6)GodgivesthemapromisethathewillwatchoverthemandeventuallybringthembacktoJudah,totheirinheritance.Weknowthatthishappened.TheywerenotharmedinBabylon.TheyandtheiroffspringreturnedtoJudahwithEzraandNehemiahin538BC.Andfromthattimeontheynolongerservedothergodsandidolsagain.Q.WhydidGodseethesepeopleasgood?Wasitbecausetheyhadhadtheabilitytochoosetakenawayfromthemintheiroppression?Howshouldthatmakeusviewsimilarpeoplegroupstoday?Thebasketofbadfigs(verses8-10)ThisbasketrepresentedKingZedekiah,thebadleaders,theunholypriests,prophetsandscribes–theywereallrottenanddistasteful.Theywouldnotbeprotectedinexile.Zedekiah’snamewouldbeacurseandhewouldgethiscome-uppanceandeventuallybedestroyed.ReadJeremiah52v11toseeZedekiah’sfate.InthemostdreadfuloftimesGodisstillincontrolandhiswordwillalwayscometrue.SeehowGod’sjusticewasworkedoutinthesituationswehavealreadyreadaboutinthislesson.AlsoconsiderGod’sloveandmercytothepoor,theforeigner,thefatherless,theexploitedandtheoppressed.Godisalwaysgoodandalwaysjust.

Jeremiah-chapters8,9,13,15,16,20,22&31Lesson5InwhichweseeJeremiah’sheartJeremiah,oftenreferredtoastheweepingprophet,poursouthishearttoGod;andreflectsGod’ssadnessfortheunfaithfulnessofthepeople.HereweseeJeremiahinhislonelycalling:weeping,doubting,discouragedandbroken.Andyet,inGod,hefindshopeandthewilltopersevere.WeepingReadchapter8v21-9v1:whenpeoplethatweknowsufferandweep,thenwesufferandweepwiththem;evenwhenweknowtheyhavebroughtthedifficultiesuponthemselves.JeremiahweptforhisfellowsJewsbecausehispropheticwordtoldthattheywouldallbetakenasexilestoBabylon.Hedidn’tjustpronounceGod’sjudgment,hefeltit(eventhoughhewouldnotbetakenexiletoBabylon)andhefeltthepainofthepeople,justasGoddid.

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Readchapter9v10&11:Jeremiahalsoweptfortheland,thePromisedLand,whichwouldalsosuffer.No-onewouldbesenttolookaftertheland(ashappenedintheNorthernkingdom)–theland(includingJerusalemandtheTemple)wouldlaywasteanddesolate,withnoinhabitants.ThelandwasapartofCovenantwiththepeoplesonotonlywouldtheyfeelcutofffromGod,buttheywouldalsobecutofffromthelandandtheCovenant.Therecouldbenomoreseverepunishment–whichiswhatcausedJeremiahtoweepinanguish.(Seealsochapter13v17)Doubting:Readchapter15v18:ThereweretimeswhenJeremiahfeltthatGodhadlethimdown.HewasfaithfultoGod’swordbuttherewasnoresponsefromthepeople.HefeltlikeGodhadfailedhim.AlthoughGodwasusinghim,hesawnoresultsforallhishardwork.Q.Everfeltlikethat?EverdoubtedGodbecauseyoufeltyouweredoingtherightthingandyetnothinghashappened?Readchapter15v19-21:Althoughdoubtsarenaturalandweallhavethem,Godseesthemasunworthy.But,aswithJeremiah,hegivesusroomtovoiceourdoubtsandhelistenstous.God’swordtousisthesameastoJeremiah:Ifwerepentofourdoubtshewillmakeusstrong.AndalthoughthingsthreatentoovertakeusGodwillbefaithful,hewillrescueus.LonelinessReadverse15v17:BecauseofhiscallJeremiahwasnotabletojoininthegoodtimeswiththosearoundhim,becausehewasalltooawareofGod’smessageofjudgmentonthem.Readverse16v1-4:Moreover,underGod’sinstructions,Jeremiahwasnottohaveawifeorfamily(avery,veryunusualthingasfamilyinheritancewasseenasapartoftheCovenant).ThiswasbecauseGodknewwhatthefuturewouldhold.But,ofcourse,itmeantthatJeremiahhadno-oneotherthantheLordtoconsolehimwhenhewasdowncast,no-onetoencouragehimandno-onetobringhappinessintohislife.Readchapter16v5-9:NeitherwasJeremiahtogotofuneralwakesorfamilycelebrationsorweddingfeasts.HislifewastobelivedinawaythatthepeoplecouldseeGod’simpendingjudgment.Hewouldhaveappearedtobea‘miserablekilljoy’–nowonderhehadnofriends.(Onlyoneman,Baruch,stoodbyhimandwewilllookathislifenextweek).DiscouragementReadchapter20v7-18:Jeremiahhadgottothepointofsaying,“IwishIhadneverbeenborn”(v14-18)!HefeltGodhaddeceivedorpersuadedhimagainsthiswill.AndwheneverheobeyedGodallhegotwasinsults.Howvery,veryharditmusthavebeenforJeremiahforyearafteryearafteryear–andno-one

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toputanarmroundhimortoencouragehim.But,lookagainatverses11and13.Aswellasdismalprophecy,GodgivesJeremiahwordsofstrengthandencouragement.Q.EverfeltdiscouragedandwonderedwhyGodhasplacedyouwhereyouare?LetGodliftyouupwithwordshewantstospeakintoyourlife(considerthefollowing).HopeandPerseveranceReadchapter1v8:Donotbeafraid,becauseGodiswithyou(therearedozensofsimilarreferencesintheBible)Readchapter17v7:WewillbeblessedifwecontinuetotrustinGodandwillbeabletowithstandtheheatandthedrytimes.Readchapter29v11-13:Godhasaplanforourlife.Ifweareinhiswillandtrusthimthenweknowthathewillbeworkingoutallthingsforourultimategood-evenifitdoesn’tfeellikeit!Read31v25:God’spromiseistorefreshthewearyandgiveusthestrengthweneedtocarryon.WeshouldnevergiveuponwhatGodhascalledustodo,unlessHespecificallytellsusto.Goddoesn’tmeasureusbyoursuccess,butbyourobedienceandourtrustinHim.

Jeremiah-chapters32,36,37,43&45Lesson6:InwhichwelearnaboutBaruchWithnofamilyorfriendsandscornedbysocietybecauseofhisuncomfortablemessage,JeremiahonlyhadonesourceofhelpotherthantheLord–hisnamewasBaruch.Readchapter36v1-7;16-23&27-28WecandeducethatBaruchwasaScribe(hewrotedownthewordsspokenbyJeremiah),probablyaveryeducatedman,andonewhoknewthewaysofGod.Jeremiahtrustedhim.Hewasobedientanditseemshewasalsocourageous.HewasmaybeJeremiah’srighthandmaninwhatwereverydifficulttimes.Thiswastakingplaceduringthereignoftheevilking,Jehoiakim(v1).Baruchobediently(andaccurately–hedoesn’tputany‘spin’onit)pensJeremiah’sprophecyofjudgmentandbravelyreadsittotheofficialsattheking’scourt.ItwasthentakenbytheleadersandreadtoKingJehoiakimhimself,whoshowedhiscontemptforGod’swordbyburningthecolumnsofthescrollastheywereread(v23).ButtheWordofGodcannotbedestroyed.GodsimplyinstructedJeremiahtowritethewordsagain.JehoiakimwastosufferaterriblefatebecauseofhisattitudetoGod’sword(v30).Readchapter45Verse1tellsusthatthischapterimmediatelyfollowstheaccountinchapter36(seev1ofbothchapters).ItshowsusthatBaruch,likeJeremiah,wasfullofwoebecauseofthemessage.ItalsoshowsusthatheblamedtheLordforhissuffering,asdidJeremiah.Tobringsuchamessageofjudgmentweighedheavilyonthesemenwhowere,nevertheless,obedienttoGod’scommand.Theywereat

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timessad,lonelyanddepressedandyettheynevergaveup.ItappearsthatBaruchwasaskingGodforsomekindofspecialtreatment(v5),anexemptionfromjudgment.ButGodmakesitclearthatallofJudahwillbejudged(andtakencaptivebytheBabylonians).However,hegivesBaruchawordofpromise,awordofhope,“Whereveryougo,youwillescapewithyourlife”(v5).Q.Christiansareintheworld.Howmuchdotheysufferthesamefateasnon-believers?Dowesometimesexpectanexemptionfromsuffering,likeBaruch?Readchapter32v6-17GodtellsJeremiahtobuyapieceoflandinhistribalinheritanceofBenjamin.Asanearrelativeitwashisright,andalso(toadegree)hisresponsibility,tobuyitandkeepitashisinheritanceinfulfilmentofGod’scovenantwiththeIsraelites.JeremiahdulycarriedoutthetransactionandentrustedthedeedstoBaruch,withtheinstructionstokeepthemsafeinaclayjar(theyhadtosurvivethe70yearsofexile).Thedeedswerelikeadepositforthefuture,apromisethatwhatGodhadsaidwouldcomeabout;Houses,fieldsandvineyardswillagainbeboughtinthisland(v15).SoJeremiahobviouslytrustedBaruch–hewasamanwhowouldbeconstantandfaithfulandtrustworthyovertheyears.70yearswas2generations.Jeremiahdidn’tevenknowifhewouldbealivewhentheexileswouldreturnfromBabylon,butheknewforcertainonething:NothingistoohardfortheLord(v17)Thischaptershowsusthattherewaseventualhopebothforthepeopleandfortheland.Q.Ifaprophecyisspokenoveryourlifeorthelifeofthechurch,howlongshouldyouwaitforittobefulfilled?7days,7years,70years….?Readchapter43v3,6,7BaruchwasblamedforincitingJeremiahtospeakhisprophecies.ButeventowardstheendoftheperiodofprophecywestillseeBaruchbyJeremiah’sside,uncomfortableasitis.FollowingonfromGod’spromisetoprotectJeremiahandBaruchfromthejudgment,weseethembeingtakenbythearmyofficerstoEgypt.ThearmythoughttheywouldbesafeinEgyptbutJeremiahhadalreadyprophesiedthatBabylonwouldoverrunEgypttoo(readtherestofthechapter).ThereisnoBiblicalrecordofJeremiah’sorBaruch’sdeaths,butotherwrittenaccountssaythatJeremiah(andbyassociation,Baruch)diedinEgypt.TheywereneverpartoftheexiletoBabylon,andinthiswayGodprotectedtheirlives.It’sareasonablesuppositionthatBaruchwasresponsibleforrecordingallofJeremiah’spropheciesashewaswithhimtotheend,andthathewas,infact,theeditorofthisbookofJeremiah.Q.CanyouthinkofonethingthatwecanlearnfromBaruch’slonglifeofserviceandhowitmightencourageustoday?

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Jeremiah–chapters3,5,9,17,31-33Lesson7–InwhichwelearnaboutGod’sheartforhispeopleGodisanall-powerfulCreatorGodReadchapter32v17,18a&27:JeremiahspeakstheseencouragingwordsofpraiseimmediatelyafterGodhasaskedhimtobuyafieldinhistriballandofBenjamin.GodwasshowinghimthathehadaplanforIsrael’sfutureandthathewasincontrol.SurelyifGodiscreatorofall,thennothingistoohardforhimtoputright.ByrevealingsomethingofhisplanforIsraelGodinstilledconfidenceinJeremiah.Readchapter33v2,3&6:Againweseepromisesofrestorationandhealingforthepeople–setinthecontextofGod’salmightypower.ThereisnothingthatGodcannotdo,andtheseversesshowusthatHehasthepowertodoanythingwhenwearerepentantandhumblebeforehim.Q.Whatisyourneed?Howbigisitincomparisontothecreationoftheworld?CanGodmeetthatneed?Isthereaprovisoorqualification?GodisJustandRighteousReadchapter5v26-29:Godcannotberighteousandfaithfultohiswordwithoutdispensingjusticewhenitisneeded.Thepeopleweredeceitful,exploitative,oppressive,unjust,andunfairtothepoorandfatherless.Whenpeoplesay,“Whydoesn’tGoddoanything?”wecanseefromtheseversesthathedoes–butitisinhisowntimeandhisownway.Readchapter9v23&24:WhenweknowGodweunderstandthatrighteousnessandjusticeareapartofGod’slovingkindness–inthesamewaythatachildacceptspunishmentfromalovingparent.Timeandagainthechildwillbeaskedtosay“sorry”–it’sapartoftheirgrowthintoanadultwhocanbeagoodpersoninsociety.InthesamewaywearesometimeschastenedbyGodandneedtobereadytorepent–andeachtimewelearnalessonandgrowabitmoreinhisgrace.GoddesiresrelationshipwithusReadchapter3v19&20:IsraelissometimesreferredtoasGod’sbrideintheOldTestament,andsometimesashischildren.Hereweseebothanalogies.WealsoseeGodexpressingjoywhentherelationshipisgoingwellandaninferenceofsorrowwhenitisnot.Verses12&13showusagainthatallGodrequiresisrepentancebecauseevenwhenweareunfaithfulheremainsfaithful(seealso2Timothy2v13)Readchapter31v20:ManyaparentcanidentifywithGod’sfeelingsinthisverse.Wedelightinourchildren,andwhentheywalkawayfromtheLordwedon’tlovethemanytheless.Westillhavecompassionforthem.Westillyearnfortherelationshiptoberestored.ThisversereallyhelpsusidentifywithGod’sheart.Andifwecareaboutthem,howmuchmoredoeshe?

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GodiswaitingtoshowcompassionandrestorationReadLamentations3v22-26and31-33:LamentationswasalsowrittenbyJeremiahandgivesusfurtherinsightintohisthoughtsandfeelingsduringhislongtimesofprophecy.HereweseethataboveallGodisaGodofloveandcompassionandfaithfulness.Heisalwaysgoodtothosewhoseekhim.Heisalwayswaiting(likethefatheroftheprodigalson)fortheopportunitytorestorerelationshipwithus.ReadJeremiah16v14&15:JeremiahpronouncesthisdirectpromisethatGodwouldrestoreIsrael.God’sultimateaimwhenbringingjudgmentwasrestoration.Q.Howcanweknowthepromiseofrestorationisforusandoursaswell?GodisdependableReadchapter17v7,8&14:Herewehavethepictureparableofatreebyastreamwhoserootshaveaconstantsupplyoflife-givingwater.WhenweareintherightplacewecandependonGodforallweneed.Heisthesourceandsupplyforourhealingandsalvation.Itisbeingintherightplacethatisimportant.Comparetheseverseswithverses5and6.GodknowsusbetterthanweknowourselvesReadchapter17v9&10:It’seasyforustoletotherthingscreepintoourlives.Wegetusedtowatching“stuff”onTVortheinternet,andmaybeweacceptthingsthatperhapsweshouldn’t.Godknows,andinhisgracehewillnudgeusbyhisHolySpirittodosomethingaboutit.Theonusisonustorespondsothatwekeepourrelationshiprightwithhim.Godalwayshasafutureforus–aplanforourlivesReadchapter33v6-11:GodhadaplanforIsrael–goodtimestocome.Theycouldchoosetobeapartofitorrejectit.Andhehasaplanforourlivestoo.FromJeremiahwecanseethatwhenwerejecthisplanGoddoesn’tgiveuponus.Hefindsawaytorefineussothathecanrestoreusandworkouthispurposeinourlives.Tosummarise:AlmightyGod,creatorofallthings:Hewhoisjust,righteous,compassionateanddependable;desiresarelationshipwithus;refinesussothathecanrestoreus;andhasafutureforeachoneofusaswetrustinhim.

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Jeremiahchapters–25,46-51,23,29-31Lesson8–Asummaryoftheprophecies

• Immediateprophecy• Prophecydirectedtothesurroundingcountries

• MessianicAgeprophecyImmediateprophecyMostofJeremiah’spropheciesrelatedtothetimeduringhislifespanandshortlyafter.Readchapter25v11,12AfteryearsofpointingoutIsrael’ssin(refertolessons3and4)andexplainingGod’sdesireforrestorationifthepeoplewouldonlyrepent(refertolesson7),JeremiahhastodeliverGod’sfinaljudgmentonIsrael.Namelythat:TheBabylonianswouldinvadethecountry,takethepeopleawayasexiles,andleavethelanduninhabitedandwasted.But–itwouldbeforalimitedperiodof70years,afterwhichtimeGodwouldpunishBabylon.WeknowthatthisisindeedwhathappenedandthatGodusedthePersianstodefeattheBabyloniansand,throughKingCyrus,theexileswereencouragedtoreturntoIsrael.N.B.PassagesintheBookofDanielandotherhistoricalsources(claytablets,lettersetc)supportthis.Inotherwords,weknowtheprophecycameabout.AndinEzraandNehemiahweseetheJewsreturningtoJerusalemandrebuilding.Prophecydirectedtothesurroundingcountries(There’snearlyachapterforeachcountry,butI’vejustselectedafewverses)EgyptReadch.46v25&26JudgmentandrestorationPhilistiaReadch.47v4&5JudgmentanddesolationMoabReadch.48v45-47JudgmentandrestorationAmmonReadch.49v5&6JudgmentandrestorationEdomReadch.49v16,20-22JudgmentanddesolationKedarandHazorReadch.49v32&33JudgmentanddesolationElamReadch.49v37-39JudgmentandrestorationQ.Whydoyouthinksomecountrieswerejudgedandrestoredwhilstotherswerejudgedanddestroyed?CountriesandindividualsarejudgednotonlyfortheirsinbutalsoforthewaythattheyhavetreatedGod’speople,whethertheybeIsraelites(Jews)orChristians.Forexample,historically,EgyptgaverefugetomanyanIsraeliteduringtimesoftroubleorfamineandGod’sjudgmentonthemwaslimited

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forthisreason.ThesechaptersshowusthatGodisonourside,evenwhenithasbeennecessarytouseothersituationsorpeopletochastiseusandrefineus.Allthathedoesisforourgood.Andhisjudgmentsareperfect.JudgmentforBabylonReadchapters50&51(50v2-5)ThegreatestjudgmentcametothegreatworldpowerofBabylon.AlthoughitwasbyGod’shandthattheywereusedtobringhisjudgmentonIsrael,theytoowouldultimatelyknowhisjudgmentwiththelandofBabylonbroughttodesolation.Babylonwasoneofthegloriesoftheancientworld,itswallsandmythichanginggardenslistedamongtheSevenWonders.Foundedabout4,000yearsago,theancientcitywasthecapitalof10dynastiesinMesopotamia,consideredoneoftheearliestcradlesofcivilizationandthebirthplaceofwritingandliterature.Butfollowingyearsofplunder,neglectandconflict,theBabylonoftodayscarcelyconjuresthatillustrioushistory.(CNNnews)WhyisBabylonsosignificant?JustasIsraelisasymbolforallGod’speople,soalsoBabylon(intheBible,fromGenesistoRevelation)isasymbolofallthosewhoopposeGod.So,whilsttheactualcityofBabylonlaysinruins,theevilpowerbehinditcontinues.MessianicandEnd-TimesProphecyAnewCovenantJeremiah31v31-34IsraelandJudahhadbrokentheOldCovenantbutarepromisedaNewCovenantthroughJesusChristwhichwillreplacetheOldCovenantofMoses.Itwillbeonethatisnotmadewithanationbutwithindividualsbringingpersonalrelationshipandforgiveness.MuchmoreissaidaboutthisbyIsaiahchapter53,anditisofcourseexplainedintheNewTestamentingreaterdepthintheBookofHebrews.TheCovenantofGracewouldreplacetheCovenantofLawanditwouldbeopentoallpeoplefromeverytribeandnation.Anti-SemitismJeremiah29v18&44v8(N.B.Semitism–Semites–Shemites–thosedescendedfromShem,Noah’sson.)JeremiahprophesiedthattheJewswouldknowpersecutionwherevertheywentthroughouttheworld.Because(asexplainedabove)thespiritofBabylonhasneverdied,theJewswouldalwaysfaceoppositionandhatred.Whenwethinkofanti-SemitismmostofusthinkoftheNazisbutaglanceattheWikipediatimelineofanti-Semiticactsthroughouthistory,revealsthathundredsofexamplesofthisbehaviourhaveoccurred(inallcountries,includingourown)sinceJeremiahgavehisprophecy.JerusalemrebuiltonitsruinsJeremiah30v18

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Aswithmanypropheciesthisonecanbeseentobefulfilledatdifferenttimes.Afterthe70yearexilethepeoplereturnedandrebuilttheTempleandtheCitywalls,butnotallofJerusalem.InfactitlaidwasteforhundredsofyearsuntilIsraelwasmadeasovereignstatein1948.TheprophecywillonlybecompletewhenJesusreturnsasKingtoreignandrulefromJerusalem.TheJewswillreturntoIsraelJeremiah23v3and31v7-10OfhugesignificanceisthefactthatthereturnofJewstoJerusalemfromaroundtheworldwillbeapreconditionoftheSecondComingofChrist.Since1948wearealreadyseeingthishappeningonanever-increasingscale.

TELAVIV,Israel--CulturaldifferencesandleavingfamilybehindcanmakeimmigratingtoIsraeldifficult.

ButmoreandmoreJewishAmericansaremakingIsraeltheirpermanenthome.SeeingJewishpeoplereturn

toIsraelislikewatchingBibleprophecyunfoldbeforeyoureyes.Isaiah,Jeremiah,andEzekielallspeakof

theJewishreturntotheland.It'sanexcitingday.ImmigrantsfromNorthAmericalandedatTelAviv'sBen

GurionInternationalAirporttomakeIsraeltheirhome.JewishAgencychairmanNatanSharanskyand

governmentofficialswelcomedthegroup."Onlythinkforamomentaboutyourfathers,yourgrandfathers,

yourgreatgrandfathers,allthosegenerationsofyourfamilieswhoweredreamingandprayingnextyearin

Jerusalemandyoudidit,"Sharanskytoldthenewarrivals.(CBNNews)

(N.BSofar,over3millionhavereturnedtoIsraelsince1948)

TheSecondComingofJesusJeremiah23v5-6aJesusisofDavid’sline.Healoneisrighteous,theBranch,God’soutstretchedarm.OnedayhewillruleandreignasKinginJerusalem,bringingperfectrighteousnessandjustice.InthatdayallIsraelwillbelieveinhimasMessiahandwillbesaved,spirituallyandphysically.(ReadthebookofZechariahtogetafullerpictureofprophecy.)ThefinalbattleJeremiah30v4-9Verses6&7indicatethatthisistheendofthingsasweknowthem.Somecommentatorssaythatthe“timeoftrouble”couldbereferringtoTheTribulationandotherssayitreferstotheHolocaust.Bothcouldbetrue.Bothusherintheend.ButIsraelandallGod’speoplearegiventhepromise,“Donotbeafraid”(v10)and“Iamwithyouandwillsaveyou”(v11).

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Jeremiah–SummaryandApplicationLesson9HowtheBookofJeremiahimpactsonus.

Q.InwhatwaysdoesGodshowhisfaithfulness• TotheIsraelitenation• Tous

ThefaithfulnessofalovingFatheristhethemethatpermeatesthisbook.AtthebeginningofourstudiesIsaidthisisaverydifficultanddepressingbooktoread,BUT,themoreyoureaditthemoreyouseeofGod’sheart,andhiscompassionandfaithfulnesstomankind.Godisfaithfulinbothloveandjustice.Q.InwhatwaysdoesGodhighlightsin

• InthelivesoftheIsraelitesandtheirleaders

• Inourlives

Godis,aboveallelse,aHolyGod.Hecannotbetouchedbysin.Andyet,hesenthisownperfectSonJesusintothisworldtoliveamongstsinnersandtocarrythesinoftheworlduponhimselfwhenhediedontheCross.HesendspeoplelikeJeremiah(prophets,pastors,teachersandevangelists)tomakeusawareofrightandwrong.AndhehasgivenushisWordtoguideanddirectusinHisways.

Q.HowdoesGoduseprophecyinJeremiahtospeakintoourlives

ThroughprophecyGodcouldspeaktothenation,offeringthemtheopportunitytorepentandbeforgiven.Jeremiahwasalsogivenprophecyaboutthefuture.Today,GodusesSpirit-filledChristianstospeakintoourlivesthroughapersonalword,apropheticwordinchurch,orthroughasermon.Andincreasinglyhespeakstopeoplethroughdreamsandvisions.

Q.WhatistheconnectionbetweenpeoplewhospeakoutGod’struthandpersecution• ForJeremiah• ForChristiansinourworldtoday

WeknowthatJeremiahsufferedverbalandphysicalabusefromIsrael’sleadersandthathewasthrownintoapitandimprisoned.Hewouldnot“shutup”talkingaboutGod’struthwhentheyaskedhimto.HesaidtheWordofGodwas“burning”withinhim–hewasconstrainedtosharetheprophecies.ItisasadtruththatthousandsofChristiansaroundtheworldaresufferingforstandingupforGod’struth.Ifwearenotbeingpersecuted,isitbecausewearetooquiet?

Q.WhatdoyouunderstandbySpiritualinspiration• IntheBookofJeremiah

• Inourownlives

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InJeremiahtherearemanyreferencestopreviousScripture(Deuteronomy),buttherearealso150prophecieswhichbeginwiththewords,“theWordoftheLordcame…”Theprophecieswerenot“madeup”orthefigmentofJeremiah’spersonalfeelings.TheywereadirectrevelationfromGod.TheywereinspiredbyGod–inotherwordsbreathedintohimbyGod.TheHolySpiritinusmeansthatwecanalsodependonHisinspirationinourlives.WhenwearewithsomeonewhoneedshelporprayertheHolySpiritprovidesuswiththewordsweneed.Q.HowdoesJeremiahremindusofGodspower?

• HowdidithelpJeremiahgetthingsincontext?

• Howcanithelpus?JeremiahlookedtoCreationtoremindhimself,andus,ofGod’smightypoweranditinspiredhimtosay,“ThereisnothingtoohardfortheLord”.HewastalkinginthecontextofGod’sworkandplanfortheIsraelitenationwhichwasabouttobedemolishedbytheBabylonians.Godcanbringthehardestofpeoplebacktohimself,evenifitrequiresdesperatemeasures.Q.Jeremiah’shopewasultimatelytobefoundinhisprophecythatGodwouldraiseupaMessiah.ButwearelivingintheLastDays–theMessianicAge.Whatadvantagedoesthisgiveus?WeareprivilegedtolookbackonhistoryandseethingsinthelightoftheComingofChristandhisrevealedWordinourBible.WeseeaGodwhokeepshisCovenantwhenwekeeptooursideofitbyobedience,weseeaGodwhomaintainsaremnant,weseeaHolyGodwhodemandsthatapriceispaidforsin.WeseeacompassionatelovingGodwhosenthisownSontopayforthatsin.MostofallweseeJesusChristwhotriumphedoversinandevilinordertobringusintothepresenceofaHolyGod–aGodwholovesusashestillloveshischosennation,Israel,aGodwhoisfaithfulthroughouttheages.PraiseHisName!!!

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Appendix1ASSYRIAExilesdispersed&Othersmovedin(Samaritans)

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Appendix2Archaeologicalproofs:1. BabylonianchronicledescribingtheremovalofKingJehoiachininBabylonia

2. RationslistforKingJehoiachin

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3. Lachishletters

Claytabletswithwritinginink),writteninHebrewscript,fromthe7thcenturyBC,revealimportantinformationconcerningthelastdaysofJudah.

TheywerediscoveredatLachish(Telled-Duweir)amongtheruinsofanancientguardroomoutsidetheLachishcitygate.MostofthelettersweredispatchesfromaJewishcommandernamedHoshaiahwhowasstationedatanoutpostnorthofLachish,whowasresponsibleforinterpretingthesignalsfromAzekahandLachish.ThesefinalcommunicationsconfirmwhattheprophetJeremiahwritesintheBible.InoneoftheLachishLettersHoshaiahwritesthatthesignalofAzekahcannolongerbeseen,thissuggeststhatthiscityhadfallentotheBabylonianforces.JeremiahindicatesthatAzekahandLachishweretwoofthelastcitiestoremainbeforebeingcapturedbytheBabylonians(Jer.34:7).JER34:7whenthearmyofthekingofBabylonwasfightingagainstJerusalemandagainstalltheremainingcitiesofJudah,thatis,LachishandAzekah,fortheyaloneremainedasfortifiedcitiesamongthecitiesofJudah.Jeremiah34:7(NASB)

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4. AssyrianAccountsoftheFallofIsrael

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5. THECYRUSCYLINDERDescribestheedictbyKingCyrustoallowthereturnofexilestotheirhomeland–afterthe70yearsaspredictedbyJeremiah.

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The Estuary Elim Group of Churches are three Essex based Elim Pentecostal Churches in Ashingdon, Rayleigh and Southend on Sea with a shared Leadership team. We are a group of people responding to the love of God and the life changing message of Jesus Christ. Our services are lively with contemporary music, worship and preaching and teaching relevant to the 21st Century. To � nd out more about us visit www.estuaryelim.church

Whether you are new to church, someone with questions or a committed Christian, we want to serve you and help you discover and ful� l God’s purpose for your life. If you would like an opportunity to email or talk to one of the team email your contact details to info@estuaryelim.co.uk and we will get back to you.

The Ashingdon, Rayleigh and Southend Elim Pentecostal Churches are branches of The Elim Foursquare Gospel Alliance (Registered Charity No. 251549)