Jeremiah 25:10
Moreover, I will banish from them the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the lamp.
I will banish
The Hebrew root for "banish" is "שָׁבַת" (shavat), which means to cease, desist, or rest. In this context, it signifies a divine intervention where God actively removes or causes to cease the elements of normal, joyful life. This action underscores God's sovereignty and the seriousness of the judgment being pronounced. It is a cessation of blessings, a reversal of the peace and prosperity that the people had taken for granted.

the sound of joy and gladness
The "sound of joy and gladness" refers to the audible expressions of happiness and celebration. In ancient Israel, communal joy was often expressed through music, singing, and laughter during festivals and gatherings. The removal of these sounds indicates a profound loss of community and spiritual vitality. Historically, this reflects the impending Babylonian exile, where the Israelites would be removed from their land and their cultural and religious practices disrupted.

the voices of the bride and bridegroom
Marriage is a significant covenantal theme in the Bible, symbolizing the relationship between God and His people. The "voices of the bride and bridegroom" represent the joy and hope of new beginnings and the continuation of family and community life. The absence of these voices signifies a breakdown in social and familial structures, a direct consequence of the people's disobedience and the resulting judgment.

the sound of the millstones
Millstones were used to grind grain into flour, a daily necessity for sustenance. The "sound of the millstones" is a metaphor for the normal, everyday activities that sustain life. Its absence indicates economic collapse and the cessation of daily life. Archaeologically, millstones have been found in ancient Israelite homes, underscoring their importance in daily life and the severity of their silence as a sign of desolation.

the light of the lamp
The "light of the lamp" symbolizes life, guidance, and the presence of God. In a household, lamps provided light in the darkness, representing safety and comfort. Biblically, light is often associated with God's presence and truth. The extinguishing of this light signifies spiritual darkness and abandonment, a powerful image of the people's separation from God due to their persistent idolatry and sin.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. His ministry spanned over 40 years during a tumultuous period in Israel's history.

2. Judah and Jerusalem
The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing impending judgment due to persistent idolatry and disobedience to God.

3. Babylonian Exile
The event prophesied by Jeremiah where the people of Judah would be taken captive by Babylon as a consequence of their sins.

4. Bride and Bridegroom
Symbolic of joy and celebration, representing the normalcy and happiness of life that would be taken away as part of God's judgment.

5. Millstones and Lamp
Representing daily life and sustenance, the absence of these signifies the cessation of normal life and the onset of desolation.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Disobedience
God's judgment is a direct result of persistent sin and rebellion. The removal of joy and normalcy serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness of turning away from God.

The Importance of Repentance
This passage calls believers to examine their lives and repent from any form of idolatry or disobedience, seeking God's forgiveness and restoration.

Hope Beyond Judgment
While the immediate context is one of judgment, God's ultimate plan includes restoration and hope for those who turn back to Him. This encourages believers to trust in God's redemptive purposes.

The Role of Prophets
Prophets like Jeremiah were tasked with delivering difficult messages. This challenges believers to be faithful in speaking truth, even when it is unpopular or difficult.

The Impact of Sin on Community
Sin affects not just individuals but entire communities, leading to widespread consequences. This underscores the importance of communal holiness and accountability.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the removal of joy and normalcy in Jeremiah 25:10 serve as a warning for us today in our personal and communal lives?

2. In what ways can we see the themes of judgment and restoration in Jeremiah 25:10 reflected in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Revelation?

3. How can we apply the lessons of repentance and obedience from Jeremiah's message to our current context?

4. What role do you think modern-day "prophets" or truth-tellers play in the church, and how can we support them?

5. How can we, as a community of believers, ensure that we are not falling into the same patterns of disobedience that led to Judah's judgment?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 24:7-12
This passage also speaks of the cessation of joy and celebration as a result of God's judgment, highlighting the seriousness of turning away from God.

Revelation 18:22-23
Echoes the themes of Jeremiah 25:10, describing the fall of Babylon and the end of joy and commerce, drawing a parallel between historical and eschatological judgments.

Lamentations 5:15
Reflects on the loss of joy and the heavy burden of sin, providing a lament over the consequences of disobedience.
Judgment Plainly DeclaredA.F. Muir Jeremiah 25:7-11
People
Amon, Babylonians, Buz, Dedan, Elam, Jehoiakim, Jeremiah, Josiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar, Pharaoh, Tema, Zidon, Zimri
Places
Ammon, Arabia, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Babylon, Buz, Dedan, Edom, Egypt, Ekron, Elam, Gaza, Jerusalem, Media, Moab, Sidon, Tema, Tyre, Uz, Zimri
Topics
Banish, Bride, Bridegroom, Candle, Cause, Cease, Crushing, Destroyed, Gladness, Grain, Grinding, Joy, Lamp, Lamps, Laughing, Lights, Millstones, Mirth, Moreover, Newly-married, Noise, Perish, Rejoicing, Shining, Sounds, Stones, Voice, Voices
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 25:10

     4482   millstones
     5196   voice
     5373   lamp and lampstand
     5659   bride
     5660   bridegroom
     6112   banishment

Jeremiah 25:4-11

     5838   disrespect

Jeremiah 25:7-11

     1025   God, anger of

Jeremiah 25:8-11

     1035   God, faithfulness

Jeremiah 25:8-14

     7217   exile, in Babylon

Library
Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Man and the Book.
In this and the following lectures I attempt an account and estimate of the Prophet Jeremiah, of his life and teaching, and of the Book which contains them--but especially of the man himself, his personality and his tempers (there were more than one), his religious experience and its achievements, with the various high styles of their expression; as well as his influence on the subsequent religion of his people. It has often been asserted that in Jeremiah's ministry more than in any other of the
George Adam Smith—Jeremiah

The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the Teaching of the Lord Concerning Purity - the Traditions Concerning Hand-Washing' and Vows. '
As we follow the narrative, confirmatory evidence of what had preceded springs up at almost every step. It is quite in accordance with the abrupt departure of Jesus from Capernaum, and its motives, that when, so far from finding rest and privacy at Bethsaida (east of the Jordan), a greater multitude than ever had there gathered around Him, which would fain have proclaimed Him King, He resolved on immediate return to the western shore, with the view of seeking a quieter retreat, even though it were
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
The Medes and Cimmerians: Lydia--The conquest of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Elam. As we have already seen, Sennacherib reigned for eight years after his triumph; eight years of tranquillity at home, and of peace with all his neighbours abroad. If we examine the contemporary monuments or the documents of a later period, and attempt to glean from them some details concerning the close of his career, we find that there is a complete absence of any record of national movement on the part of either Elam,
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
THE FALL OF NINEVEH AND THE RISE OF THE CHALDAEAN AND MEDIAN EMPIRES--THE XXVIth EGYPTIAN DYNASTY: CYAXARES, ALYATTES, AND NEBUCHADREZZAR. The legendary history of the kings of Media and the first contact of the Medes with the Assyrians: the alleged Iranian migrations of the Avesta--Media-proper, its fauna and flora; Phraortes and the beginning of the Median empire--Persia proper and the Persians; conquest of Persia by the Medes--The last monuments of Assur-bani-pal: the library of Kouyunjik--Phraortes
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8

Ci. Foretelling his Passion. Rebuking Ambition.
(Peræa, or Judæa, Near the Jordan.) ^A Matt. XX. 17-28; ^B Mark X. 32-45; ^C Luke XVIII. 31-34. ^b 32 And they were on the way, going up to Jerusalem [Dean Mansel sees in these words an evidence that Jesus had just crossed the Jordan and was beginning the actual ascent up to Jerusalem. If so, he was in Judæa. But such a construction strains the language. Jesus had been going up to Jerusalem ever since he started in Galilee, and he may now have still be in Peræa. The parable
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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