OUTLINE OF JEREMIAH

The Prophet of Judah’s Downfall and Restoration

I. Denunciation of Judah, Jeremiah 1-33

1. The Prophet’s Call and Commission, Jer_1:1-19

2. The Nation’s Apostasy, Jer_2:1-37; Jer_3:1-25; Jer_4:1-31; Jer_5:1-31; Jer_6:1-30; Jer_7:1-34; Jer_8:1-22; Jer_9:1-26; Jer_10:1-25; Jer_11:1-23; Jer_12:1-17; Jer_13:1-27; Jer_14:1-22; Jer_15:1-21; Jer_16:1-21; Jer_17:1-27; Jer_18:1-23; Jer_19:1-15; Jer_20:1-18

3. The Sins of Her Leaders, Jeremiah 21-23

4. The Impending Judgment, Jeremiah 24-29

5. The Promise of Restoration, Jeremiah 30-33

II. The Infliction of Judgment, Jeremiah 34-45

1. The Immediate Occasion of Judgment, Jeremiah 34:1-38:28

2. The Destruction of Jerusalem, Jer_39:1-18

3. The Wretched Condition of the Remnant, Jeremiah 40-45

III. Prophecies against the Nations, Jeremiah 46-51

1. Egypt, Jer_46:1-28

2. Philistia, Jer_47:1-7

3. Moab, Ammon, and Edom, Jer_48:1-47; Jer_49:1-22

4. Syria and Elam, Jer_49:23-39

5. Babylon, Jer_50:1-46; Jer_51:1-64

Appendix (from 2Ki_24:18-20; 2Ki_25:1-30), Jer_52:1-34

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH

Jeremiah was of priestly descent, and born at Anathoth, a Levitical city a few miles northeast of Jerusalem. His commission was given him in very early life, and continued through the reigns of five kings for forty troubled years. He had neither wife nor child. His love was concentrated on his people, who ill requited it. The men of Anathoth sought his life. He was assailed with misrepresentation, bitter persecution, and murderous hate. He nearly lost his life under the displeasure of the King and princes, at whose command he was cast into a miry dungeon. He lived to see a faint gleam of returning prosperity overcast by the crimes of Ishmael and his fellow-conspirators.

He was a sensitive, delicately organized man, to whom it must have been a matter of peculiar trial to be called upon to play so prominent a part in those dark and stormy times, and to be “as an iron and brazen wall against the whole land.” But he is an evidence of what may be done by a man in whom the Spirit of God resides in mighty, living force. Tradition states that he died in Egypt, stoned by his fellow-countrymen. It has been often said that there are few Old Testament saints who afford more points of likeness to our Lord than does Jeremiah.

{e-Sword Note: The following material was presented at the end of Jeremiah in the printed edition}



REVIEW QUESTIONS ON JEREMIAH

Outline

(a) What are the three main divisions of the book?

(b) How much of the book is concerned with Judah?

(c) Against what other nations did Jeremiah prophesy?



Introduction

(d) Of what descent was Jeremiah?

(e) When was his prophetic commission given to him and how long did it continue?

Selections from Jer_1:1-19; Jer_2:1-37; Jer_3:1-25; Jer_4:1-31; Jer_5:1-31; Jer_6:1-30; Jer_7:1-34; Jer_8:1-22; Jer_9:1-26; Jer_10:1-25; Jer_11:1-23; Jer_12:1-17; Jer_13:1-27; Jer_14:1-22; Jer_15:1-21; Jer_16:1-21; Jer_17:1-27; Jer_18:1-23; Jer_19:1-15; Jer_20:1-18; Jer_21:1-14; Jer_22:1-30; Jer_23:1-40; Jer_24:1-10; Jer_25:1-38; Jer_26:1-24; Jer_27:1-22; Jer_28:1-17; Jer_29:1-32; Jer_30:1-24; Jer_31:1-40; Jer_32:1-44; Jer_33:1-26; Jer_34:1-22; Jer_35:1-19; Jer_36:1-32

Each question applies to the paragraph of corresponding number in the Comments.

1. What commission was entrusted to Jeremiah? How was he encouraged to fulfill it?

2. To whom did Jehovah first send the prophet? What was Judah’s sin?

3. What invitation was Jeremiah to extend to the Northern Kingdom? What was the necessary condition to forgive men?

4. What picture is drawn of the corruption of Jerusalem?

5. In what way was Israel deluded? How could the nation have avoided the threatened evil?

6. What is the secret of national decay and overthrow in all ages?

7. How does Jeremiah describe the folly of idolatry?

8. What covenant had Jeremiah made with Israel? By whom had it been broken?

9. What was the parable of the girdle intended to teach?

10. What contrast is drawn between human and divine help?

11. What does God expect of the shepherds of His flock?

12. What was the lesson of the two baskets of figs?

13. What new covenant will God make with His people?

14. Who were the Rechabites and why did they refuse to drink wine?

15. Who attempted to destroy the roll of Jeremiah’s prophecy? How was this iniquity punished?