Jeremiah 6 – “Zion will be Destroyed”

I. Summary

Yahweh calls for the destruction of Jerusalem because of its sins.

II. Photo

Jerusalem is guilty: “As a well flows with water, so she flows with wickedness.” (v. 7)

III. Select Verses

2: Fair Zion, the lovely and delicate, I will destroy.

7: As a well flows with water, So she flows with wickedness.

10: To whom shall I speak, Give warning that they may hear? Their ears are blocked And they cannot listen. See, the word of the LORD has become for them An object of scorn; they will have none of it.

16: Thus said the LORD: Stand by the roads and consider, Inquire about ancient paths: Which is the road to happiness? Travel it, and find tranquillity for yourselves. But they said, “We will not.”

20: What need have I of frankincense That comes from Sheba, Or fragrant cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable And your sacrifices are not pleasing to Me.

30: They are called “rejected silver,” For the LORD has rejected them.

IV. Outline

1-8. Oracle #1

1. Benjamin should flee Jerusalem

2. Destruction awaits

3-5. The enemy’s battle cry

6a. Future punishment

6b-7. Condemnation

8. Call to repent

9. Israel will be picked like a vine

10-11a. Jeremiah speaks

10. Israel is obstinate

11a. Jeremiah’s anger

11b-15. Oracle #2

11b. Young and old shall be punished

12. Loss of land

13-15. All priests and prophets are guilty and will fall

16-21. Oracle #3

16-17. The people have ignored Yahweh

18-19a. Destruction proclamation

19b. Rationale

20. Offerings are useless

21. All will perish

22-26. Oracle #4

22-23. A warrior nation (Babylon) approaches

24-25. Future quote of the victims

26. Call to mourn

27-30. Oracle #5

27. Jeremiah is the refiner

28-30. The people are unworkable metal

V. Comment

No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used

(see “Commentaries” page)

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Jeremiah 5 – “Yahweh Does Not Forgive”

Hebrew-English Text

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)

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Jeremiah 4 – “Babylon Approaches”

Hebrew-English Text

I. Summary

Jeremiah warns the people about Babylon’s future invasion and urges them to return to Yahweh.

II. Photo

Babylon approaches: “Lo, he ascends like clouds, his chariots are like a whirlwind, his horses are swifter than eagles.” (v. 13)

III. Select Verses

4: Open your hearts to the LORD, Remove the thickening about your hearts — O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem — Lest My wrath break forth like fire, And burn, with none to quench it, Because of your wicked acts.

6-7: Set up a signpost: To Zion. Take refuge, do not delay! For I bring evil from the north, And great disaster. 7 The lion has come up from his thicket: The destroyer of nations has set out, Has departed from his place, To make your land a desolation; Your cities shall be ruined, Without inhabitants.

9: The mind of the king And the mind of the nobles shall fail, The priests shall be appalled, And the prophets shall stand aghast.

14: Wash your heart clean of wickedness, O Jerusalem, that you may be rescued. How long will you harbor within you Your evil designs?

22: For My people are stupid, They give Me no heed; They are foolish children, They are not intelligent. They are clever at doing wrong, But unable to do right.

IV. Outline

1-2. Oracle for Israel

1-2. Returning to Yahweh will bring blessing

3-. Message to Judah

3a. Introduction

3b-9. Oracle: Babylon approaches

3b-4a. Metaphor: make your lives easy and return

4b. If you do not return Yahweh’s wrath will burn

5-8. Announcement of Babylon’s coming

9. The leaders will be shocked

10. Jeremiah accuses Yahweh of deception

11-17. Judah is guilty and brings the enemy upon itself

18-21. War pains Jeremiah

22. Judah acts like a foolish child

23-29. The land will be destroyed

30. Wealth and fashion are meaningless

31. Jeremiah hears the future pain

V. Comment

No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used

(see “Commentaries” page)

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Jeremiah 3 – “Oracles of Condemnation and Hope”

Hebrew-English Text

I. Summary

God finds Israel and Judah guilty but promises to bless them if they return to him.

II. Photo

Israel is likened to a prostitute: “You had the brazenness of a prostitute, you refused to be ashamed.” (v. 3)

III. Select Verses

8: I noted: Because Rebel Israel had committed adultery, I cast her off and handed her a bill of divorce; yet her sister, Faithless Judah, was not afraid — she too went and whored.

11: And the LORD said to me: Rebel Israel has shown herself more in the right than Faithless Judah.

15: And I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will pasture you with knowledge and skill.

18: In those days, the House of Judah shall go with the House of Israel; they shall come together from the land of the north to the land I gave your fathers as a possession.

19- 20: I had resolved to adopt you as My child, and I gave you a desirable land — the fairest heritage of all the nations; and I thought you would surely call Me “Father,” and never cease to be loyal to Me. Instead, you have broken faith with Me, as a woman breaks faith with a paramour, O House of Israel — declares the LORD.

22b-25: “Here we are, we come to You, For You, O LORD, are our God! Surely, futility comes from the hills, Confusion from the mountains. Only through the LORD our God Is there deliverance for Israel. But the Shameful Thing has consumed The possessions of our fathers ever since our youth — Their flocks and herds, Their sons and daughters. Let us lie down in our shame, Let our disgrace cover us; For we have sinned against the LORD our God, We and our fathers from our youth to this day, And we have not heeded the LORD our God.”

IV. Outline

1-5. Oracle #1

1-2. Metaphor: Israel has been with other lovers

3a. Rain has not come

3b-5. Israel has not been ashamed

6-20. Oracle #2

6a. Introduction

6b-10. Judah has played the whore like Israel

11a. Continuation

11b. Israel is more just than Judah

12-13. Message for Israel: return and acknowledge your guilt

14-19. Positive consequences

14. People will be returned to Jerusalem

15. Proper leaders

16. The ark will not be missed

17. Jerusalem will be for all nations

18-19. Israel and Judah will reunite

19-20. Instead of being a son, Israel has been an adulteress

21-25. Jeremiah’s message

21-22a. Call to return

22-25. Anticipated confession and prayer

V. Comment

No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used

(see “Commentaries” page)

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Haggai 2 – “Three Messages for the Rebuilders”

Hebrew-English Text

I. Summary

Haggai delivers messages of confidence and assurance to Zerubbabel the governor, Joshua the high priest, and the rest of the Temple’s rebuilders.

II. Photo

The rebuilders may lose hope: “Who is there left among you who saw this House in its former splendor? How does it look to you now? It must seem like nothing to you.” (v. 3)

III. Select Verses

3: Who is there left among you who saw this House in its former splendor? How does it look to you now? It must seem like nothing to you.

5: So I promised you when you came out of Egypt, and My spirit is still in your midst. Fear not!

9: The glory of this latter House shall be greater than that of the former one, said the LORD of Hosts; and in this place I will grant prosperity — declares the LORD of Hosts.

15-19: And now take thought, from this day backward: As long as no stone had been laid on another in the House of the LORD, if one came to a heap of twenty measures, it would yield only ten; and if one came to a wine vat to skim off fifty measures, the press would yield only twenty. I struck you — all the works of your hands — with blight and mildew and hail, but you did not return to Me — declares the LORD. Take note, from this day forward — from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the day when the foundation was laid for the LORD’s Temple — take note while the seed is still in the granary, and the vine, fig tree, pomegranate, and olive tree have not yet borne fruit. For from this day on I will send blessings.

22-23: And I will overturn the thrones of kingdoms and destroy the might of the kingdoms of the nations. I will overturn chariots and their drivers. Horses and their riders shall fall, each by the sword of his fellow. On that day — declares the LORD of Hosts — I will take you, O My servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel — declares the LORD — and make you as a signet; for I have chosen you — declares the LORD of Hosts.

IV. Outline

1-9. First oracle

1-2. Introduction

3. The temple lacks its former glory

4-5. Yahweh’s affirmation of confidence

6-8. Yahweh will bring international riches and glory to the temple

9. The second temple will be greater than the first

10-19. Second oracle

10-11a. Introduction

11b-14. Analogy of impurity

15-19. Before the building began there were curses, now there are blessings

20-23. Third oracle

20-21a. Introduction

22. The mighty kingdoms will fall

23. Zerubbable will be lifted high

V. Comment

No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used

(see “Commentaries” page)

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Haggai 1 – “A Message to Rebuild the Temple is Heeded”

breaking ground tractor-digging-in-dirt Hebrew-English Text

I. Summary

Haggai urges the people to rebuild the temple and they agree.

II. Photo

The rebuilding process begins: “They came and set to work on the House of the Lord of Hosts, their God.” (v. 14)

III. Select Verses

1: In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, this word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, the governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest:

2, 4: Thus said the LORD of Hosts: These people say, “The time has not yet come for rebuilding the House of the LORD.” Is it a time for you to dwell in your paneled houses, while this House is lying in ruins?

8: Go up to the hills and get timber, and rebuild the House; then I will look on it with favor and I will be glorified — said the LORD.

9-10: You have been expecting much and getting little; and when you brought it home, I would blow on it! Because of what? — says the LORD of Hosts. Because of My House which lies in ruins, while you all hurry to your own houses! That is why the skies above you have withheld [their] moisture and the earth has withheld its yield

14: Then the LORD roused the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, the governor of Judah, and the spirit of the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, and the spirit of all the rest of the people: They came and set to work on the House of the LORD of Hosts, their God

IV. Outline

1. Introduction: a prophecy for the governor and high priest

2. People say the time has not yet come to rebuild the temple

3-4. Argument: how can the people live in houses but not YHWH?

5-11. Argument: the people are poor because they have not rebuilt the temple

12-13. The people agree with Haggai

14-15. The rebuilding process begins

V. Comment

No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used

(see “Commentaries” page)

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Zephaniah 3 – “Punishment for Jerusalem; Salvation Song”

Hebrew-English Text

I. Summary

Jerusalem will be punished for its sins on the day of Yahweh’s judgment. The people should rejoice because Yahweh will bring salvation to the city.

II. Photo

Jerusalem has become corrupt: “Her judges are wolves of the steppe, They leave no bone until morning.” (v. 3)

III. Select Verses

3-4: The officials within her Are roaring lions; Her judges are wolves of the steppe, They leave no bone until morning. Her prophets are reckless, Faithless fellows; Her priests profane what is holy, They give perverse rulings.

6-7: I wiped out nations: Their corner towers are desolate; I turned their thoroughfares into ruins, With none passing by; Their towns lie waste without people, Without inhabitants. And I thought that she would fear Me, Would learn a lesson, And that the punishment I brought on them Would not be lost on her. Instead, all the more eagerly They have practiced corruption in all their deeds.

13: But I will leave within you A poor, humble folk, And they shall find refuge In the name of the LORD.

14-15: Shout for joy, Fair Zion, Cry aloud, O Israel! Rejoice and be glad with all your heart, Fair Jerusalem! The LORD has annulled the judgment against you, He has swept away your foes. Israel’s Sovereign the LORD is within you; You need fear misfortune no more.

IV. Outline

1-13. Punishment for Jerusalem

1-4. Jerusalem (see vv. 11, 14) has been disobedient

5. YHWH is righteous

6-7. YHWH has destroyed nations but Jerusalem still rebels

8-10. All people will worship YHWH on his day of doom

11-13. Only the humble will survive

14-20. Salvation song

14. Call to praise

15. Rationale: future salvation

16-17a. Future quote

17b-18. Rationale: future salvation

19a. Punishment for enemies

19b-20. The disgraced ones will be renowned

V. Comment

No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used

(see “Commentaries” page)

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Zephaniah 2 – “Impending Doom for Israel’s Neighbors”

Hebrew-English Text

I. Summary

Yahweh urges the Israelites to seek righteousness before the Day of Yahweh arrives. Yahweh warns Philistia, Ammon, Moab, Ethiopia, and Assyria about their impending doom.

II. Photo

Moab and Ammon will be destroyed: “Moab shall become like Sodom and the Ammonites like Gomorrah: Clumps of weeds and patches of salt, and desolation evermore.” (v. 9)

III. Select Verses

3: Seek the LORD, All you humble of the land Who have fulfilled His law; Seek righteousness, Seek humility. Perhaps you will find shelter On the day of the LORD’s anger.

4: Indeed, Gaza shall be deserted And Ashkelon desolate; Ashdod’s people shall be expelled in broad daylight, And Ekron shall be uprooted.

8-9: I have heard the insults of Moab And the jeers of the Ammonites, Who have insulted My people And gloated over their country. Assuredly, as I live — declares the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel — Moab shall become like Sodom And the Ammonites like Gomorrah: Clumps of weeds and patches of salt, And desolation evermore. The remnant of My people shall plunder them, The remainder of My nation shall possess them.

15: Is this the gay city [Nineveh] That dwelt secure, That thought in her heart, “I am, and there is none but me”? Alas, she is become a waste, A lair of wild beasts! Everyone who passes by her Hisses and gestures with his hand.

IV. Outline

1-3. Seek righteousness before the day of YHWH comes

4-7. Impending doom for Philistia

8-10. Impending doom for Moab and Ammon

11. All peoples will worship YHWH

12. Impending doom for Ethiopia

13-15. Impending doom for Assyria and its capital Nineveh

V. Comment

No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used

(see “Commentaries” page)

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Zephaniah 1 – “The Day of Yahweh: Impending Doom”

Hebrew-English Text

I. Summary

Zephaniah is introduced. Yahweh promises to wipe out the entire world in general and to punish Judah in specific.

II. Photo

The day of Yahweh approaches: “That day shall be… A day of darkness and deep gloom, A day of densest clouds.” (v. 15)

III. Select Verses

1: The word of the LORD that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi son of Gedaliah son of Amariah son of Hezekiah, during the reign of King Josiah son of Amon of Judah.

3: I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the sky And the fish of the sea. I will make the wicked stumble, And I will destroy mankind From the face of the earth — declares the LORD.

5-6: And those who bow down on the roofs To the host of heaven; And those who bow down and swear to the LORD But also swear by Malcam; And those who have forsaken the LORD, And those who have not sought the LORD And have not turned to Him.

12: At that time, I will search Jerusalem with lamps; And I will punish the men Who rest untroubled on their lees, Who say to themselves, “The LORD will do nothing, good or bad.”

18: Moreover, their silver and gold Shall not avail to save them. On the day of the LORD’s wrath, In the fire of His passion, The whole land shall be consumed; For He will make a terrible end Of all who dwell in the land.

IV. Outline

1. Genealogical introduction

2-3. Yahweh will destroy all life

4-6. Yahweh will wipe out the idolaters in Judah

7-9. The day of Yahweh: a feast and punishment

10-11. The sounds of pain

12-13. The skeptics will be punished

14-16. The great and awesome day approaches

17. Punishment for sin

18. The wealthy will not be saved

V. Comment

According to the text, Zephaniah was active during the time of Josiah (640-609 B.C.E.). John M. Berridge writes in the ABD VI 1075 (“Zephaniah (Person)”) that “A bulla which dates from the early 6th century and which is inscribed lyrmyhw bn ṣpnyhw bn nby[ʾ?] has been found at Lachish. Although certain identification is impossible, the inscription may refer to the prophet Zephaniah. If this is the case, Zephaniah was the father of Jeremiah (the owner of the seal), who appears to have been a member of a prophetic guild.”

VI. Works Used

(see “Commentaries” page)

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Ezekiel 48 – “Thirteen Strips of Land; The City Gates”

Hebrew-English Text

I. Summary

The land is to divided into thirteen equal portions. Jerusalem’s gates are described and the city is renamed “YHWH is There.”

II. Photo

Jerusalem is renamed: “The name of the city from that day on shall be ‘YHWH Is There.’” (v. 35)

III. Select Verses

4-5: Adjoining the territory of Naphtali, from the eastern border to the western border: Manasseh — one. Adjoining the territory of Manasseh, from the eastern border to the western border: Ephraim — one.

9-10: The reserve that you set aside for the LORD shall be 25,000 long and 10,000 wide. It shall be apportioned to the following: The sacred reserve for the priests shall measure 25,000 [cubits] on the north, 10,000 on the west, 10,000 on the east, and 25,000 on the south, with the LORD’s Sanctuary in the middle of it.

11: This consecrated area shall be for the priests of the line of Zadok, who kept My charge and did not go astray, as the Levites did when the people of Israel went astray.

32: On the eastern side, [measuring] 4,500 cubits — there shall be three gates: the Joseph Gate: one; the Benjamin Gate: one; and the Dan Gate: one.

35b: The name of the city from that day on shall be “The LORD Is There.”

IV. Outline

1-29. The strips of land

1. Northern border; Dan

2. Asher

3. Naphtali

4. Manasseh

5. Ephraim

6. Reuben

7. Judah

8-22. The land set aside

8-12. The temple and the Zadokite priests’ land

13-14. The Levites’ land

15-20. The city and land for the city workers

21-22. The prince’s land

23. Benjamin

24. Simeon

25. Issachar

26. Zebulun

27-27. Gad; Southern border

29. Closing statement

30-35. The city gates and name

30-31. Northern gates: Reuben, Judah, Levi

32. Eastern gates: Joseph, Benjamin, Dan

33. Southern gates: Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun

34. Western gates: Gad, Asher, Naphtali

35a. Circumference

35b. The city’s name: “YHWH is There”

V. Comment

No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used

(see “Commentaries” page)

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