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JEREMIAH – LESSON TWO

INTRODUCTION:

      Chapters 2-6 seem to point to some of Jeremiah’s early prophetic work during Josiah’s reign (cf. 3:6).  While outward forms of reform may have been seen (2 Kings 22-23, 2 Chron. 34,35), the inward heart of the people needed to be changed (3:10, 4:4).  In this section of prophecies, God’s people is brought to God’s courtroom and indicted of their sins (chapters 2), pleaded with to repent (chapter 3) and forced to see the inescapable judgment via their enemy “from the north” (chapters 4-6).   

I. ISRAEL’S GUILT AND PUNISHMENT (2:1-6:30)

A. Israel indicted for her sins (2:1-37)

1. The faithfulness of Israel’s youth (v.1-3)

2. Ungrateful Israel’s apostasy (v. 4-13)

3. Consequences of Israel’s apostasy (v. 14-19)

4. The fascination and futility of Baal worship (v. 20-28)

5. Israel deserves Divine judgment (v. 29-37).

B. A plea for Israel’s repentance (3:1-4:4)

1. Israel, the unfaithful wife (v. 1-5)

2. Treacherous Judah has not learned from backsliding sister, Israel (v. 6-11).

3. Israel called to repent – future promises (v. 12-18)

4. The need for true repentance (v. 19-4:4)

C. The approaching Judgment (4:5-6:30)

1. The alarming cry – invasion is threatened (4:5-10)

2. The scorching hot wind of judgment (4:11-18)

3. Jeremiah’s anguished cry (4:19-22)

4. A vision and oracle of coming destructive chaos (4:23-28)

5. The death agony of Zion (4:29-31)

6. The moral depravity of Jerusalem (5:1-9)

7. False security in the face of a mighty enemy (5:10-19)

8. Jehovah warns a foolish, rebellious, and complacent people (5:20-31).

9. Jerusalem under siege (6:1-8)

10. Judgment falls on an obstinate, greedy, and unashamed people (6:9-15).

11. Ritual sacrifice no substitute for obedience (6:16-21)

12. The terrible enemy from the north (6:22-26)

13. Jeremiah appointed as assayer of his people (6:27-30).

 Questions:

1. Describe the “covenant” relationship that existed in Israel’s youth with her God?

2. What two evils had God’s people committed?

a. Why should this be so “astonishing”?

b. Why should the people be “horribly afraid”?

                                                                                      

3. What two “alliances” would not help Israel to escape punishment?

4. Describe Israel playing the role of the harlot from the following perspectives:

a. of going after Baalim:

b. of God as her husband:

c. of a sense of shame:

d. of Israel’s lovers:

5. What day would come when the people would not be asking about the “ark of the

Covenant”?  Why?

                                                                

6. How does God describe true repentance?

7. What was the “hot wind” coming on the people at Jerusalem to accomplish?

8. What caused Jeremiah anguish in his heart?

9. How “wise” were the people of Jeremiah’s day?  Do you see examples of this type of wisdom today?

10. Describe the “chaos” that God’s judgment upon His people would be like?

11. What could Jeremiah not find in Jerusalem?

12. What did the people do that could be described as have “broken the yoke and burst the bonds”?

13. Describe the false prophets and their work:  How could they be allowed a place of prominence?

14. From 5:20-29, describe:

a. a “foolish” people:

b. a “rebellious” people:

c. a “complacent” people:

15. What did the people need to do in order to “find rest for your souls”?

16. Describe the enemy” from the north”?  Identify this enemy from history?