OT Survey IIOT Survey II

Jeremiah and LamentationsJeremiah and Lamentations

JeremiahJeremiah

AuthorAuthor

JeremiahJeremiah From a priestly family just north of From a priestly family just north of

JerusalemJerusalem A “prophet to the nations” (1:5, 10)A “prophet to the nations” (1:5, 10) More personal material than any other More personal material than any other

prophetprophet ““Weeping Prophet”Weeping Prophet” His Mode of OperationHis Mode of Operation

Speaking (e.g., 2:2)Speaking (e.g., 2:2) Writing (e.g., 36:2, 27-28; 51:60)Writing (e.g., 36:2, 27-28; 51:60) Acting (e.g., 13:1-7; 19:1-15; 32:1-15)Acting (e.g., 13:1-7; 19:1-15; 32:1-15)

DateDate Began in the days of Josiah (~ 627 BC)Began in the days of Josiah (~ 627 BC) Included two initial exilesIncluded two initial exiles

605 BC: Daniel and other nobles (Dan 1:1-6)605 BC: Daniel and other nobles (Dan 1:1-6) 597 BC: Large scale exile, including Ezekiel 597 BC: Large scale exile, including Ezekiel

(2 Kings 24:10-16; Ezek 1:1-3)(2 Kings 24:10-16; Ezek 1:1-3) Climaxed in the destruction of Jerusalem Climaxed in the destruction of Jerusalem

(586 BC)(586 BC) Ends with the release of Jehoiachin from Ends with the release of Jehoiachin from

prison (~ 561 BC)prison (~ 561 BC)

Time PeriodTime Period

Cyrus allowsexiles to return

539 BC(Ezra 1:1-4)

Judah exiledby Babylon

586 BC (also 605, 597)

(2 Kgs 25)

Israel exiledby Assryia

722 BC(2 Kgs 17)

Solomon beginsbuilding the temple

966 BC(1 Kgs 6:1)

The Exodusfrom Egypt

1446 BC(1 Kgs 6:1)

Israel entersEgypt

1876 BC(Ex 12:40-41)

Abraham’s birth

2166 BC(Gen 12:4; 21:5;

25:26; 47:9)

Torah(Gen-Deut)

Former Prophets(Joshua-Kings)

Latter Prophets

(Isaiah-Malachi)

Time Period (cont…)Time Period (cont…)

Nehemiah inJerusalem~ 420 BC

Cyrus’sdecree539 BC

Babylonianexile

586 BC

Assyrianexile

722 BC

Jeroboam II (Israel)Uzziah (Judah)

770 BC

Jonah,Hosea

,Amos

Isaiah,Micah

AssyrianDefeat701 BC

Nahum, Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Habakkuk

Ezekiel,Daniel

Haggai,Zechariah

Malachi

Joel?Joel?Obadiah?Obadiah?

Events

639 Josiah reigns626 Call of Jeremiah612 Fall of Ninevah609 Battle of Carchemish

Josiah diesJehoahaz reignsJehoiakim reigns

605 First exile597 Jehoiakim rebels

Jehoiakim diesJehoiachin reignsSecond exileJehoiachin

imprisonedZedekiah reigns

586 Zedekiah rebelsJerusalem

destroyed

Time Period (cont…)Time Period (cont…)

Canonical Review – Zoomed In Canonical Review – Zoomed In AgainAgain

IsaiahIsaiah God is holy and must judge the sinfulness of IsraelGod is holy and must judge the sinfulness of Israel God will judge the sinfulness of Israel through a God will judge the sinfulness of Israel through a

coming nationcoming nation A proper response to this is seen in Isaiah 6A proper response to this is seen in Isaiah 6 Improper responses include trusting in other Improper responses include trusting in other

nations (and other gods)nations (and other gods) Hezekiah exemplifies both responses; thus, Assyria Hezekiah exemplifies both responses; thus, Assyria

will not be the exiling nation, but Babylon willwill not be the exiling nation, but Babylon will A future king will perfectly exemplify the proper A future king will perfectly exemplify the proper

response (the king who was there in Isaiah 6!)response (the king who was there in Isaiah 6!) God will bring Israel out of exile, make atonement God will bring Israel out of exile, make atonement

for their sins, and judge rebelsfor their sins, and judge rebels God tells Israel this in advance so they will trust in God tells Israel this in advance so they will trust in

HimHim

Canonical Review – Zoomed In Canonical Review – Zoomed In AgainAgain

JeremiahJeremiah Isaiah said Babylon was coming, Jeremiah says, Isaiah said Babylon was coming, Jeremiah says,

“They’re here!”“They’re here!” God has determined to punish Jerusalem; therefore, God has determined to punish Jerusalem; therefore,

people should submit to Babylon.people should submit to Babylon. Plans to scheme around this judgment (e.g., going to or Plans to scheme around this judgment (e.g., going to or

trusting in Egypt) will not work (didn’t they read Isaiah?)trusting in Egypt) will not work (didn’t they read Isaiah?) A new low: Instead of scheming around God’s judgment, A new low: Instead of scheming around God’s judgment,

the people merely disbelieve God: He will not judge the people merely disbelieve God: He will not judge (that is the false prophets talking, not God!)(that is the false prophets talking, not God!)

God will judge the arrogant nations delighting in Israel’s God will judge the arrogant nations delighting in Israel’s fall; in particular, He will judge Babylon itself!fall; in particular, He will judge Babylon itself!

God will one day once again have compassion on Israel God will one day once again have compassion on Israel and renew covenant; nay, he will make a NEW and renew covenant; nay, he will make a NEW covenant!covenant!

Jeremiah 52: The fall of JerusalemJeremiah 52: The fall of Jerusalem

Jeremiah and Other Jeremiah and Other RevelationRevelation

EarlierEarlier Isa 39: Babylon is coming! Jeremiah: They’re Isa 39: Babylon is coming! Jeremiah: They’re

here!here! Appeal to Mosaic Covenant: 11:1-13Appeal to Mosaic Covenant: 11:1-13 Appeal to earlier prophets: 26:17-24Appeal to earlier prophets: 26:17-24

LaterLater Inspiration for Daniel’s prayer (Dan 9:2)Inspiration for Daniel’s prayer (Dan 9:2) Inspiration for exiles’ return (2 Chr 36; Ezra Inspiration for exiles’ return (2 Chr 36; Ezra

1)1) NT will pick up on idea of New CovenantNT will pick up on idea of New Covenant NT will pick up on Babylon’s judgmentNT will pick up on Babylon’s judgment

StructureStructure

a Oracles against Judah; invasion and disaster from the north (1-12)

b Judah’s exile and suffering predicted (13-20)

c Dated messages of judgment about specific kings/groups (21-29)

d CENTER: Messages of future hope (30-33)

c Dated messages of judgment about specific kings/groups (34-35)

b Judah’s fall and exile (36-45)

a Oracles against the nations; invasions and disasters from the north (46-51)

Taken from Dorsey, Literary Structure of the Old Testament, 244.

Major ThemesMajor Themes Sovereignty of YahwehSovereignty of Yahweh Sin of JudahSin of Judah Impending JudgmentImpending Judgment BabylonBabylon

God’s Instrument: Submit to them!God’s Instrument: Submit to them! Will be punishedWill be punished

False prophetsFalse prophets Future restoration (centerpiece)Future restoration (centerpiece) New Covenant (remember Kings, Chronicles?)New Covenant (remember Kings, Chronicles?) Jeremiah’s experience (much like that of Jeremiah’s experience (much like that of

Jesus!)Jesus!)

Jeremiah and JesusJeremiah and Jesus(see Expositor’s Bible Commentary)(see Expositor’s Bible Commentary)

Matt 16:13-14: “Who do people say that the Son of Matt 16:13-14: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some Man is?" And they said, "Some say say John the John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.

Similar historical settings – Jerusalem about to fallSimilar historical settings – Jerusalem about to fall Both foretold temple’s destructionBoth foretold temple’s destruction Both wept over JerusalemBoth wept over Jerusalem Both condemned commercialism of temple Both condemned commercialism of temple

worshipworship Both accused of political treasonBoth accused of political treason Both tenderhearted, knew lonelinessBoth tenderhearted, knew loneliness Both enjoyed unusual fellowship with GodBoth enjoyed unusual fellowship with God

PurposePurpose

Though Yahweh used Babylon to judge Though Yahweh used Babylon to judge Judah and Jerusalem because of her sin, Judah and Jerusalem because of her sin, a day would come when Babylon herself a day would come when Babylon herself would be judged and Israel would be would be judged and Israel would be restored beyond her former glory.restored beyond her former glory.

New Covenant (Jer 31:31-New Covenant (Jer 31:31-34)34)

Remember the former prophets, God Remember the former prophets, God renewed covenant with Israel several times.renewed covenant with Israel several times.

But, in the end, God refused to have further But, in the end, God refused to have further compassion on them.compassion on them.

However, this covenant will not just be a However, this covenant will not just be a renewal; it will be truly new in another renewal; it will be truly new in another sense: It will no longer be external; rather, sense: It will no longer be external; rather, God will write His law on their heart!God will write His law on their heart!

Does the church benefit from this covenant?Does the church benefit from this covenant?

70 Years Prophecy70 Years Prophecy Jeremiah 25:11-12Jeremiah 25:11-12

Nations will serve Babylon for 70 yearsNations will serve Babylon for 70 years Babylon will be punished at end of 70 yearsBabylon will be punished at end of 70 years Prophecy given in 605 BC, year of the first exile (25:1)Prophecy given in 605 BC, year of the first exile (25:1)

Jeremiah 29:10Jeremiah 29:10 Israel will be brought back at end of 70 yearsIsrael will be brought back at end of 70 years Part of a letter to second group of exiles (29:2)Part of a letter to second group of exiles (29:2)

Daniel 9:2Daniel 9:2 Desolation of Jerusalem end after 70 yearsDesolation of Jerusalem end after 70 years Read Jeremiah’s prophecy in the first year of Darius the Mede (9:1)Read Jeremiah’s prophecy in the first year of Darius the Mede (9:1)

2 Chronicles 36:21-222 Chronicles 36:21-22 Days of desolation lasted 70 yearsDays of desolation lasted 70 years Land enjoyed its sabbaths for 70 yearsLand enjoyed its sabbaths for 70 years Cyrus fulfilled Jeremiah’s word via proclamationCyrus fulfilled Jeremiah’s word via proclamation

70 Years Prophecy 70 Years Prophecy (continued)(continued)

DatesDates 612 – Ninevah falls to Babylon612 – Ninevah falls to Babylon 609 – Egypt and Assyria defeated by Babylon at Carchemish609 – Egypt and Assyria defeated by Babylon at Carchemish 605 – First exile of Judah (Daniel)605 – First exile of Judah (Daniel) 597 – Second exile of Judah (Ezekiel)597 – Second exile of Judah (Ezekiel) 586 – Third exile of Judah, destruction of Jerusalem586 – Third exile of Judah, destruction of Jerusalem 539 – Cyrus defeats Babylon, allows Judahite returnees539 – Cyrus defeats Babylon, allows Judahite returnees 516 – New temple completed516 – New temple completed

One possibilityOne possibility 586 – 516 – Destruction of Jerusalem until rebuilding of temple586 – 516 – Destruction of Jerusalem until rebuilding of temple But, Babylon being punished (Jer 25) and return (29) ends the 70But, Babylon being punished (Jer 25) and return (29) ends the 70

It seems the end should be the destruction of BabylonIt seems the end should be the destruction of Babylon Two possibilitiesTwo possibilities

605 – 536 – Assume destruction of Babylon *and* 605 – 536 – Assume destruction of Babylon *and* laterlater return return 609 – 539 – It is 70 years “for Babylon” (Jer 29:10) and Daniel seems to asking God to 609 – 539 – It is 70 years “for Babylon” (Jer 29:10) and Daniel seems to asking God to

act *now* (Dan 9:2, 15-19)act *now* (Dan 9:2, 15-19)

LamentationsLamentations

TitleTitle

Talmud: LamentationsTalmud: Lamentations LXX: TearsLXX: Tears Hebrew: How!Hebrew: How!

““How lonely sits the city that was full of How lonely sits the city that was full of people!” (Lam 1:1)people!” (Lam 1:1)

““How the Lord has covered the daughter of How the Lord has covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in His anger!” (Lam 2:1)Zion with a cloud in His anger!” (Lam 2:1)

““How dark the gold has become, how the How dark the gold has become, how the pure gold has changed!” (Lam 4:1)pure gold has changed!” (Lam 4:1)

Lamentations and Other Lamentations and Other RevelationRevelation

Validates the truthfulness of previous prophets Validates the truthfulness of previous prophets (e.g., Zephaniah)(e.g., Zephaniah) “…“…before the day of the LORD’s anger comes upon before the day of the LORD’s anger comes upon

you…Perhaps you will be hidden in the day of the you…Perhaps you will be hidden in the day of the LORD’s anger” (Zeph 2:2-3).LORD’s anger” (Zeph 2:2-3).

““There was no one who escaped or survived in the There was no one who escaped or survived in the day of the LORD’s anger” (Lam 2:22).day of the LORD’s anger” (Lam 2:22).

Job wrestles with individual suffering; Job wrestles with individual suffering; Lamentations “revisits Israel’s most painful Lamentations “revisits Israel’s most painful memory” (House, 483) and tries to explain it, memory” (House, 483) and tries to explain it, find hope.find hope.

Followed by Esther which shows that God has Followed by Esther which shows that God has not “utterly rejected” Israel (Lam 5:22)not “utterly rejected” Israel (Lam 5:22)

AcrosticAcrostic

Chapter 1: 3 lines/stanza, 1Chapter 1: 3 lines/stanza, 1stst line line acrosticacrostic

Chapter 2: 3 lines/stanza, 1Chapter 2: 3 lines/stanza, 1stst line line acrosticacrostic

Chapter 3: 3 lines/stanza, all lines Chapter 3: 3 lines/stanza, all lines acrosticacrostic

Chapter 4: 2 lines/stanza, 1Chapter 4: 2 lines/stanza, 1stst line line acrosticacrostic

Chapter 5: 1 lines/stanza, no acrostic Chapter 5: 1 lines/stanza, no acrostic pattern!pattern!

StructureStructure

Chapter 1: Destruction of ZionChapter 1: Destruction of Zion Chapter 2: Yahweh as the destroyerChapter 2: Yahweh as the destroyer Chapter 3: Complaint and hopeChapter 3: Complaint and hope Chapter 4: Results of the destructionChapter 4: Results of the destruction Chapter 5: Prayer: How long?Chapter 5: Prayer: How long?

Major ThemesMajor Themes

JudgmentJudgment God as the judge (not Babylon!) (e.g., 1:5)God as the judge (not Babylon!) (e.g., 1:5) Reasons for (e.g., 4:6)Reasons for (e.g., 4:6) Pain of (e.g., 2:11)Pain of (e.g., 2:11)

Future Hope (3:21-32)Future Hope (3:21-32) Israel’s enemiesIsrael’s enemies

Their arrogance (e.g., 3:60-63)Their arrogance (e.g., 3:60-63) Their future punishment (e.g., 4:21-22)Their future punishment (e.g., 4:21-22)

PurposePurpose

To express and explain Israel’s To express and explain Israel’s suffering and to provide hope for the suffering and to provide hope for the future in the midst of her suffering.future in the midst of her suffering.

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EzekielEzekiel