I. Summary
Yahweh will punish Jerusalem for its sins.
II. Photo
Yahweh rouses Jeremiah: “I am putting my words into your mouth as fire, and this people shall be firewood, which it will consume.” (v. 14)
III. Select Verses
1: Roam the streets of Jerusalem, Search its squares, Look about and take note: You will not find a man, There is none who acts justly, Who seeks integrity — That I should pardon her.
7: Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken Me And sworn by no-gods. When I fed them their fill, They committed adultery And went trooping to the harlot’s house.
12-13: They have been false to the LORD And said: “It is not so! No trouble shall come upon us, We shall not see sword or famine. The prophets shall prove mere wind For the Word is not in them; Thus-and-thus shall be done to them!”
15: Lo, I am bringing against you, O House of Israel, A nation from afar — declares the LORD; It is an enduring nation, It is an ancient nation; A nation whose language you do not know — You will not understand what they say.
18: But even in those days — declares the LORD — I will not make an end of you.
21: Hear this, O foolish people, Devoid of intelligence, That have eyes but can’t see, That have ears but can’t hear!
22: Should you not tremble before Me, Who set the sand as a boundary to the sea, As a limit for all time, not to be transgressed? Though its waves toss, they cannot prevail; Though they roar, they cannot pass it.
IV. Outline
1-6. Jeremiah’s rationale for punishment
1-2. Every Jerusalemite is guilty
3. They are obstinate
4-5. Poor and Rich alike are guilty
6. The wild beast will attack them
7-19. Oracle #1
7-9. Yahweh will not forgive
10. Command (to Babylon) to punish
11. Rationale
12-13. Quoting the people who do not believe in the prophets
14. Yahweh empowers Jeremiah
15-17. A mighty nation (Babylon) approaches
18. A remnant will remain
19. Rationale for punishment
20-29. Oracle #2
20. Command to proclaim
21. Disparagement to the people
22. Argument: the people should fear Yahweh who has set a boundary for the sea
23-24. The people have not revered Yahweh
25. Sin causes agricultural problems
26-29. The wicked, wealthy people must be punished
30-31. False prophets and priests are in charge
V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.
VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Photo copied from http://images.sussexpublishers.netdna-cdn.com/collection-feature/blogs/72035/2012/03/90940-87820.jpg
