Jeremiah 2 – “God Harangues Israel”

flower necklace Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
God berates the people for worshiping idols and condemns them to servitude.

II. Photo
God laments his fate: “Can a maiden forget her jewels, a bride her adornments? Yet my people have forgotten me for days without number!” (v. 32)

III. Important Verses
2: Go proclaim to Jerusalem: Thus said the LORD: I accounted to your favor The devotion of your youth, Your love as a bride — How you followed Me in the wilderness, In a land not sown.
3: Israel was holy to the LORD, The first fruits of His harvest. All who ate of it were held guilty; Disaster befell them — declares the LORD.
5-6: Thus said the LORD: What wrong did your fathers find in Me That they abandoned Me And went after delusion and were deluded? They never asked themselves, “Where is the LORD, Who brought us up from the land of Egypt, Who led us through the wilderness, A land of deserts and pits, A land of drought and darkness, A land no man had traversed, Where no human being had dwelt?”
8: The priests never asked themselves, “Where is the LORD?” The guardians of the Teaching ignored Me; The rulers rebelled against Me, And the prophets prophesied by Baal And followed what can do no good.
10-11: Just cross over to the isles of the Kittim and look, Send to Kedar and observe carefully; See if aught like this has ever happened: Has any nation changed its gods Even though they are no-gods? But My people has exchanged its glory For what can do no good.
18: What, then, is the good of your going to Egypt To drink the waters of the Nile? And what is the good of your going to Assyria To drink the waters of the Euphrates?
20: For long ago you broke your yoke, Tore off your yoke-bands, And said, “I will not work!” On every high hill and under every verdant tree, You recline as a whore.
34-35: Moreover, on your garments is found The lifeblood of the innocent poor — You did not catch them breaking in. Yet, despite all these things, You say, “I have been acquitted; Surely, His anger has turned away from me.” Lo, I will bring you to judgment For saying, “I have not sinned.”

IV. Outline

1-3. God’s love for Israel
    1-2a. Introduction to oracle
    2b-3. God’s love for Israel
4-9. Israel’s continuous sin
    4-5a. Introduction oracular sermon
    5b-7. Israel’s forebears chose to sin
    8. The priests, rulers, and prophets rebelled
    9. God will contend with Israel
10-19. Israel’s sin and punishment
    10-11. Israel is worse than other nations
    12. Poetic address
    13. Israel has abandoned God for non-gods
    14-16. Israel’s present and future calamities
    17-19. There is no aid from Egypt or Assyria
20-28. God confronts Israel for worshiping idols
    20. Israel’s effrontery
    21-22. Metaphors: Israel has gone bad
    23a. Israel’s sin: Baal worship
    23b-24. Metaphors: Israel is obstinate
    25-27a. Israel is entranced by their idols
    27b-28. Israel’s gods do not save them from danger
29-35a. God’s lament
    29. Israel has rebelled
    30. Rebuke serves no purpose
    31-32. Israel has forgotten God
    33. Israel’s adultery
    34-35a. Harming the poor
35b-37. Israel’s punishment
    35. Israel will be punished for falsely denying its guilt
    36-37. Egypt will dominate the people

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Craigie, Peter C. “Jeremiah 1-25” Word Biblical Commentary v. 26 (Dallas, Texas: Wordbooks, 1991).
Photo taken from http://mybabygotbling.com/images/V-Necklace-with-a-Broche.jpg

Jeremiah 1 – “God Summons Jeremiah”

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
God summons Jeremiah, tells him about future events, and encourages him to deliver his prophecies.

II. Photo
Jeremiah has a vision: “And the word of the Lord came to me a second time: ‘What do you see?’ I replied: ‘I see a steaming pot, tipped away from the north.’ And the Lord said to me: ‘From the north shall disaster break loose upon all the inhabitants of the land!’” (vv. 13-14)

III. Important Verses
1-3: The words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. The word of the LORD came to him in the days of King Josiah son of Amon of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign, and throughout the days of King Jehoiakim son of Josiah of Judah, and until the end of the eleventh year of King Zedekiah son of Josiah of Judah, when Jerusalem went into exile in the fifth month.
4-9: The word of the LORD came to me: Before I created you in the womb, I selected you; Before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet concerning the nations. I replied: Ah, Lord GOD! I don’t know how to speak, For I am still a boy. And the LORD said to me: Do not say, “I am still a boy,” But go wherever I send you And speak whatever I command you. Have no fear of them, For I am with you to deliver you — declares the LORD. The LORD put out His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: Herewith I put My words into your mouth.
13-16: And the word of the LORD came to me a second time: What do you see? I replied: I see a steaming pot, Tipped away from the north. And the LORD said to me: From the north shall disaster break loose Upon all the inhabitants of the land! For I am summoning all the peoples of the kingdoms of the north — declares the LORD. ¶ They shall come, and shall each set up a throne Before the gates of Jerusalem, Against its walls roundabout, And against all the towns of Judah. And I will argue My case against them For all their wickedness: They have forsaken Me And sacrificed to other gods And worshiped the works of their hands.

IV. Outline
1-3. Introduction: Jeremiah and his time
4-10. God summons Jeremiah to prophecy
11-16. A northern kingdom will conquer Judaea
17-19. God encourages Jeremiah

V. Comment
As with most of the other prophetic books in the Hebrew Bible, the book of Jeremiah focuses on one of the major catastrophes that befell the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, namely the destruction of the first temple in 586 BCE. The book, which is a collection of oracles and narratives about Jeremiah, contains four types of material. Collins breaks them up as follows (334):

Poetic oracles
Narratives about Jeremiah (mostly in the second half of the book)
Sermons written in Deuteronomic style
Oracles against foreign nations (chs. 46-51)

The book begins with a preface in vv. 1-3, and, as Craigie points out, it contains three of the four elements found in all such prefaces (2):

The specification that it contains a word or vision from the Lord (thereby defining the substance as prophecy).
The name of the person or prophet through whom the word was delivered.
The time and place at which the word was given, or the period during which the prophet ministered.
The subject or theme of the prophetic word.

After the preface, Jeremiah explains how he was summoned:

The word of the LORD came to me: Before I created you in the womb, I selected you; Before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet concerning the nations. I replied: Ah, Lord GOD! I don’t know how to speak, For I am still a boy. And the LORD said to me: Do not say, “I am still a boy,” But go wherever I send you And speak whatever I command you. Have no fear of them, For I am with you to deliver you — declares the LORD. The LORD put out His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: Herewith I put My words into your mouth. (vv. 4-9)

As Collins points out, this narrative shares many similarities to the summoning of Moses in Exodus 4. He writes: “The call of Jeremiah in chapter 1 follows the pattern of the call of Moses in Exodus rather than that of Isaiah. First, there is no vision involved. It is an auditory experience. Second, Jeremiah protests his unsuitability for the mission, as Moses does in Exod 4:10-17. Finally, the Lord encourages the chosen one and confirms him in his mission. The Lord touches Jeremiah’s mouth (1:9). He assures Moses that ‘I will be with your mouth’ (Exod 4:12).” (336)
VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).

Craigie, Peter C. “Jeremiah 1-25” Word Biblical Commentary v. 26 (Dallas, Texas: Wordbooks, 1991).

Photo taken from http://www.joeandris.com/images/large_images/20132_BurningPot.jpg

Isaiah 66 – “God’s Pledge to His Followers”

footstool Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
God promises to punish the sinners, raise Israel’s status, and return the exiles to Jerusalem.

II. Photo
God proclaims his dominion: “Thus said the Lord: The heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool: Where could you build a house for me, what place could serve as my abode?” (v. 1)

III. Important Verses
1-2: Thus said the LORD: The heaven is My throne And the earth is My footstool: Where could you build a house for Me, What place could serve as My abode? All this was made by My hand, And thus it all came into being — declares the LORD. Yet to such a one I look: To the poor and brokenhearted, Who is concerned about My word.
3-4: As for those who slaughter oxen and slay humans, Who sacrifice sheep and immolate dogs, Who present as oblation the blood of swine, Who offer incense and worship false gods — Just as they have chosen their ways And take pleasure in their abominations, So will I choose to mock them, To bring on them the very thing they dread. For I called and none responded, I spoke and none paid heed. They did what I deem evil And chose what I do not want.
9-11: Shall I who bring on labor not bring about birth? — says the LORD. ¶ Shall I who cause birth shut the womb? — said your God. Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, All you who love her! Join in her jubilation, All you who mourned over her — That you may suck from her breast Consolation to the full, That you may draw from her bosom Glory to your delight.
13: As a mother comforts her son So I will comfort you; You shall find comfort in Jerusalem.
23-24: And new moon after new moon, And sabbath after sabbath, All flesh shall come to worship Me — said the LORD. They shall go out and gaze On the corpses of the men who rebelled against Me: Their worms shall not die, Nor their fire be quenched; They shall be a horror To all flesh. And new moon after new moon, And sabbath after sabbath, All flesh shall come to worship Me — said the LORD.

IV. Outline
1-2a. God’s dominion over the earth
2b. God cares for the downtrodden
3-4. God will punish the sinners
5. Encouragement against internal enemies
6-11. God will bring about a quick salvation
12. Israel’s standing over other nations
13. God’s comfort for Jerusalem
14-16. God will attack his enemies
17. Doom for the illicit worshipers
18-21. God will rule over the nations and return the exiles
22-24. God’s followers will worship him while his detractors will rot

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Photo taken from http://harrogatehouseoffers.com/images/Sturdy%20Stool%20H63221.jpg

Isaiah 65 – “Sermon About Reward and Punishment”

old couple Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The prophet condemns the sinners to death and predicts an era in which God’s followers will live long and prosperous lives.

II. Photo
God’s followers will be blessed: “No more shall there be an infant or graybeard who does not live out his days. He who dies at a hundred years shall be reckoned a youth, and he who fails to reach a hundred shall be reckoned accursed.” (v. 20)

III. Important Verses
3-4: The people who provoke My anger, Who continually, to My very face, Sacrifice in gardens and burn incense on tiles; Who sit inside tombs And pass the night in secret places; Who eat the flesh of swine, With broth of unclean things in their bowls;
11-13: But as for you who forsake the LORD, Who ignore My holy mountain, Who set a table for Luck And fill a mixing bowl for Destiny: I will destine you for the sword, You will all kneel down, to be slaughtered — Because, when I called, you did not answer, When I spoke, you would not listen. You did what I hold evil, And chose what I do not want. Assuredly, thus said the Lord GOD: My servants shall eat, and you shall hunger; My servants shall drink, and you shall thirst; My servants shall rejoice, and you shall be shamed;
17: For behold! I am creating A new heaven and a new earth; The former things shall not be remembered, They shall never come to mind.
20: No more shall there be an infant or graybeard Who does not live out his days. He who dies at a hundred years Shall be reckoned a youth, And he who fails to reach a hundred Shall be reckoned accursed.
24: Before they pray, I will answer; While they are still speaking, I will respond.
25: The wolf and the lamb shall graze together, And the lion shall eat straw like the ox, And the serpent’s food shall be earth. In all My sacred mount Nothing evil or vile shall be done — said the LORD.

IV. Outline

1-16. Sermon
    1-5a. God was patient, but Israel rejected him
    5b-7a. God will repay Israel for its sins
    7b. Israel’s sin: forbidden offerings
    8-10. God will leave a remnant
    11-12. Doom for the sinners
    13-16. God’s followers will be blessed; His detractors will be cursed
17-25. Prophetic blessing
    17. A new world order
    18-19. A joyous Jerusalem
    20-23. Long, prosperous, and blessed lives
    24. God will answer the people’s prayers
    25. Peace in nature

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Photo taken from http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_31t3MXi6Jw0/SoDGnK2cEyI/AAAAAAAAAAU/QJJjHdMYvTc/s400/old_couple_3413123.jpg

Isaiah 64 – “Petition for Help”

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The people admit their guilt and ask God to watch over them.

II. Photo
The people admit their guilt: “We have all become like an unclean thing, and all our virtues like a filthy rag!” (v. 5a)

III. Important Verses
5: We have all become like an unclean thing, And all our virtues like a filthy rag. We are all withering like leaves, And our iniquities, like a wind, carry us off.
6: Yet no one invokes Your name, Rouses himself to cling to You. For You have hidden Your face from us, And made us melt because of our iniquities.
9-10: Your holy cities have become a desert: Zion has become a desert, Jerusalem a desolation. Our holy Temple, our pride, Where our fathers praised You, Has been consumed by fire: And all that was dear to us is ruined.
11: At such things will You restrain Yourself, O LORD, Will You stand idly by and let us suffer so heavily?

IV. Outline
1-3. God’s ability to do wonders
4. God punishes his people
5. Admission of guilt
6. The people have turned from God
7. Affirmation of trust in God
8. Petition for help
9-10. Complaint: the country is destroyed
11. Petition for help

V. Comment
No comment. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Sweeney, Marvin A. “Isaiah 1-39 with an Introduction to Prophetic Literature” The Forms of Old Testament Literature vol. 16 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans, 1996).
Photo taken from http://www.wonderhowto.com/images/gfx/gallery/633892526673758603.jpg

Isaiah 63 – “Warrior Poem; Historical Sermon; Petition”

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The prophet recites a warrior poem, delivers a sermon about Israel’s history, and petitions God for help.

II. Photo
A warrior describes himself: “I trod out a vintage alone, of the peoples no man was with Me. I trod them down in my anger, trampled them in my rage; Their life-blood bespattered my garments, and all my clothing was stained!” (v. 3)

III. Important Verses
2-3: Why is your clothing so red, Your garments like his who treads grapes? “I trod out a vintage alone; Of the peoples no man was with Me. I trod them down in My anger, Trampled them in My rage; Their life-blood bespattered My garments, And all My clothing was stained.
11-14a: Then they remembered the ancient days, Him, who pulled His people out [of the water]: “Where is He who brought them up from the Sea Along with the shepherd of His flock? Where is He who put In their midst His holy spirit, Who made His glorious arm March at the right hand of Moses, Who divided the waters before them To make Himself a name for all time, Who led them through the deeps So that they did not stumble — As a horse in a desert, Like a beast descending to the plain?”
15-16: Look down from heaven and see, From Your holy and glorious height! Where is Your zeal, Your power? Your yearning and Your love Are being withheld from us! Surely You are our Father: Though Abraham regard us not, And Israel recognize us not, You, O LORD, are our Father; From of old, Your name is “Our Redeemer.”s

IV. Outline

1-6. Warrior poem
    1. Introduction
    2-3. The warrior’s bloody clothes
    4-6. The warrior tramples his people
7-14. Historical sermon
    7. Introductory praise
    8-9. God protected the people
    10a. The people rebelled
    10b. God attacks his people
    11-14. Historical recollections
15-19. Petition and complaint
    15. Petition
    16. Affirmation of consanguinity
    17. Complaint: God allows the people to sin
    18. Complaint: the temple is destroyed
    19a. Complaint: God’s name is detached from Israel
    19b. Petition for help

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Sweeney, Marvin A. “Isaiah 1-39 with an Introduction to Prophetic Literature” The Forms of Old Testament Literature vol. 16 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans, 1996).
Photo taken from http://www.lakecountryjournal.com/files/imagecache/blog_main/blogs/05_GrapeStomp08.jpg