• What does God reveal about Himself?
• How is your own heart revealed?
• How does this passage underline the wonder of God’s love for us in Jesus Christ, and your own need of Christ as Saviour and Lord?
• Turn these truths into prayer and praise.

4 December Jer 51:45-50

The last part of this oracle is a command to the exiles in Babylon to flee, now that Babylon is being overthrown. The historical situation of the Jews in exile becomes a metaphor in the rest of the Bible for God’s people through the ages who face the hostility of the world (note how John depicts as “Babylon” those who persecute Christians in Rev chs.17-18). We may live for the moment in “Babylon”, but our heart surely has another home (v.50).

5 December Jer 51:51-58

Babylon’s punishment is directly for its crimes against God’s people and against the Lord Himself (v.51). Thus it will always be, and “Babylon” in every age should beware, for “the Lord is a God of retribution” (v.56). God’s retribution is seen here as the answer to hubris, i.e. to the pretensions of idolatry (v.52) and arrogance (v.53). For what does the soaring ambition of the few and the frantic efforts of the many amount to in the end? V.58 supplies the answer. So how will you live today?

6 December Jer 51:59-64

Jeremiah’s oracles against Babylon were taken and read to the exiles there during the fourth year of King Zedekiah’s reign (v.59). Zedekiah had presumably been summoned to Babylon to make sure of his loyalty. Seriah, his staff officer, was Baruch’s brother, a man Jeremiah felt he could trust to take and read the scroll. Once again, God’s historic judgement on Babylon is symbolic of the final overthrow of all who stand against Him and oppress His people (v.64, compare Rev 18:21,24).

7 December Jer 52:1-11

The final chapter of Jeremiah recaps the fall of Jerusalem before ending on a note of hope. Verses 1-11 recall the tragic figure of King Zedekiah, who was what James would have called a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways (James 1:8). He broke faith with his Babylonian overlords (v.3) and with his own people (v.7). But the root of all his trouble was that he had first broken faith with God (v.2). When will we learn that turning from the Lord always leads to disaster?

8 December Jer 52:12-23

These verses tell of the systematic destruction of Jerusalem. Every major building is burned (v.13). The city walls are torn down by thousands of troops (v.14). The temple is looted and all its wealth is taken to the treasuries of Babylon. It makes terrible reading, but our loving heavenly Father has included these details for our learning. Appalling dangers need to be boldly signposted. God’s love will bring His people as low as is necessary to deliver us from the tyranny of our proud rebellion.

9 December Jer 52:24-30

In vv.24-27 we read of the execution of Jerusalem’s leading citizens, who had to pay the price Babylon put on their refusal to surrender. They should have heeded Jeremiah. Vv.28-30 remind us that there were three successive deportations over a long period. It is a sad reminder of the long and persistent rejection of God’s word by His people, despite His offer of a happier future if only they would return to Him.

10 December Jer 52:31-34

But what’s this? A surprising ending! Just when we might have thought the story of God’s people had run into a dead-end, there’s a gleam of light. Jehoiachin was Zedekiah’s predecessor, deposed after only three months, and a prisoner in Babylon for over 36 years. Yet his eventual release and restoration to honour reminds us that God’s promise of a future for His people is not empty (see Jer 29:11-14). Christmas is coming – see Mt 1:1,11-12 (footnote: Jeconiah = Jehoiachin) and v.17. God’s love will NOT be defeated, despite all we might do!

• What does God reveal about Himself?
• How is your own heart revealed?
• How does this passage underline the wonder of God’s love for us in Jesus Christ, and your own need of Christ as Saviour and Lord?
• Turn these truths into prayer and praise.

27 November Jer 49:23-39

The chapter concludes with brief oracles of judgement on various nations. The familiar themes of terror, destruction and depopulation are highlighted, the ugly fruits of human sin that upend God’s good purposes for His creation (Ge 1:27-31). Notice that, as ever, God singles out for special attention the things in which we wrongly put our confidence: Damascus relied on its fame (v.25); Kedar on its remoteness and mobility (vv.29,31); Elam on its archers (v.35). False refuges! When will be learn that “God (alone) is our refuge and strength …” (Ps 46:1)?

28 November Jer 50:1-10

The oracles against the nations end with the doom of Babylon, the tyrant that has loomed over the whole book. Although God made use of Babylon as the instrument of His judgement, she will herself judged. Her violence will not be the Lord’s final word in history. God will again bring salvation and blessing to His people (vv.4-5), for the earth belongs to the Lord, not to the gods of Babylon (Bel and Marduk, v.2).

29 November Jer 50:11-20

While the Lord grieved at the judgement He brought on His people, Babylon rejoiced and mocked (v.11). Her arrogance will be repaid as God turns her arrogance to shame (vv.12-13). Babylon will suffer the violence she has inflicted on others (vv.14-15). Freed from her tyranny, people of many nations will be free to return to their lands (v.16). In contrast to the fallen empires of Assyria and Babylon, God’s people will be forgiven and restored (vv.17-20). Good news – gospel – indeed!

30 November Jer 50:21-32

The Lord’s holy war against Babylon is vividly depicted in vv.21-27. God’s action is a direct judgement on Babylon for its destruction of the temple (v.28). Although the burning of the temple was God’s own judgement on His people for their backsliding, it was simultaneously Babylon’s blasphemous rejection of the Lord’s rule over all the earth (v.29). God’s triumph over Babylon’s arrogance (vv.29-32) is therefore a vindication of His sovereignty over all nations.

1 December Jer 50:33-46

God’s judgement on Babylon is simultaneously an act of redemption for His people (vv.33-40). The term “Redeemer” (v.34) recalls Israel’s law by which a widow or orphan might be adopted by another family member (e.g., Ruth 4). In this personal, costly way God redeems His people, not only from Babylonian captivity, but ultimately from sin and guilt through our Lord Jesus Christ. Note the irony that Babylon, “from the north” (1:13-14), is now herself hunted by a northern army (v.41).

2 December Jer 51:1-19

What gospel grace God shows to His people (v.5)! And how devastating is His judgement on Babylon (vv.11-14). Yet there is a note of sadness over Babylon’s incurable condition (v.9), reminding us that judgement is God’s reluctant resort when all else has failed. The folly of idolatry contrasts starkly with the glory and grace of our God (vv.17-19). When will we learn?

3 December Jer 51:20-44

God uses Babylon’s horrible violence in judgement (vv.20-23) yet also judges Babylon for its violence (vv.24-26). Babylon will be devoured (vv.27-33), an apt punishment for the nation that devoured God’s people (vv.34-35). How are the mighty fallen (v.41)! Thus passes this world’s glory.

• What does God reveal about Himself?
• How is your own heart revealed?
• How does this passage underline the wonder of God’s love for us in Jesus Christ, and your own need of Christ as Saviour and Lord?
• Turn these truths into prayer and praise.

13 November Jer 46:1-12

The closing chapters of Jeremiah address the surrounding nations, in line with his calling (see 1:10). He warns that Babylon’s expansion will bring God’s judgement on all the nations (chs.46-49), but promises that in the end Babylon too will be judged (chs.50-51). In 46:1-12 he foresees Egypt, in which Judah had place so much false hope, being exposed. The surging pride of vv.7-9 leads not to glorious victory over Babylon but to painful defeat (vv.2-6). That day belongs to the Lord, not Egypt (vv.10-12).

14 November Jer 46:13-28

Jeremiah’s next oracle warns of a Babylonian attack on Egyptian territory. Egypt’s mercenaries desert her (vv.16, 21), her own armies flee in disarray (vv.20-24), and Pharaoh will be a figure of contempt (v.17). The judgement is on Egypt’s gods and kings, and on those who place their hope in them (v.25), including the Jews who have sought refuge from Babylon by fleeing to Egypt (43:7). Yet God still speaks a word of hope even to Egypt (v.26) and to the scattered Jewish remnant (vv.27-28).

15 November Jer 47:1-7

The general upheaval of nations in Jeremiah’s time had dreadful consequences for many. Pharaoh (v.1) was no match for the Babylonians but he could still wreak havoc on the much smaller Philistine nation (vv.2-3), possibly on Egypt’s return from the battle of Carchemish (46:2). This is seen as God’s judgement on the Philistines (v.4-7). Note vv.6-7: as long as human mutiny persists, how can the sword of the Lord rest?

16 November Jer 48:1-10

Moab had ties of kinship with Israel but frequently behaved as an enemy. The frequent place-names in this chapter are locations in Moab. Jeremiah describes Moab suffering invasion just as Israel and Judah had done. Verse 7 highlights the bitter fruits of false trust, namely exile and the removal of the image of their false god, Chemosh, and his servants. Moab’s destruction by Babylon is the Lord’s judgement (v.10).

17 November Jer 48:11-47

The picture of Moab that builds up in this chapter is chiefly one of arrogance. Her prosperity had bred complacency (v.11) rather than godly character. Her pride will be brought low (vv.14-25), especially her pride against Israel (vv.26-30). Jeremiah wails for her, as he once did for his own people (vv.31-39). The eagle of v.40 is Nebuchadnezzar, God’s instrument of judgement. Yet the final note is one of grace and renewal to those who have been God’s enemies (v.47).

18 November Jer 49:1-6

Ammon, like Moab, was an ancient enemy of Israel. Ammon’s sin (v.1) was to seek to dispossess Israel of her territory, and all in the name of their god, Molek (or Molech). God will act in judgement (v.2), resulting once again in the exile of the people and the humiliation of their god (v.3). Boastful – and false – trust in wealth is condemned (vv.4-5). Yet once again there is the prospect of ultimate mercy (v.6)

19 November Jer 49:7-22

The proud Edomites were more used to inspiring fear than experiencing it (v.16). Yet God speaks of total disaster that will befall them (vv.9-11). We find the reason for this judgement in Obadiah vv.11-14: Edom had assisted Babylon against Judah and gloated over Judah’s downfall. This was particularly reprehensible given their kinship (Edom being descended from Jacob’s brother Esau). Now Jeremiah warns that all Edom’s famed wisdom cannot avert this judgement (v.7), nor can they hide even in this land of hiding places (vv.10,16).

• What does God reveal about Himself?
• How is your own heart revealed?
• How does this passage underline the wonder of God’s love for us in Jesus Christ, and your own need of Christ as Saviour and Lord?
• Turn these truths into prayer and praise.

6 November Jer 42:1-6

What seems like a genuine plea from the army officers for divine guidance is, in fact, dubious. It is significant that they already stand on the road to Egypt (41:17). The reference to “your (Jeremiah’s) God” (v.2) hints at a deeper truth than they realized, despite v.6 (“our God”). Do they really want to know God’s will and obey it, or are they simply hoping for divine endorsement of their own plans? What follows supplies the answer.

7 November Jer 42:7-22

The word from God repeats a familiar theme. The way of safety lies in submitting to the Babylonians. God’s answer goes against human intuition and once again poses the question, “In whom will we trust? Ourselves and our wisdom, or God and His word?” To seek refuge in Egypt rather than the Lord is as offensive to God as ever (vv.13-22). Man-made havens promise much, but end in disappointment. God alone is His people’s safety.

8 November Jer 43:1-7

The truth of Jeremiah’s prophetic words has been amply demonstrated by the recent destruction of Jerusalem and its temple. Yet once again, Jeremiah is accused of speaking falsely (v.2). The claim that the Lord is “our God” (v.2) is not made in humble submission but with the arrogance that thinks God will endorse our own plans. The temptation to think that our own interpretation of God’s will is true, especially if it fits what we desperately want to believe, is as real today as it was then.

9 November Jer 43:8-13

Even in Egypt God continues to speak to His people, and will yet appeal to them for repentance (44:7). However, His present word warns of judgement. Egypt will prove no safe haven from Nebuchadnezzar (“my servant”, v.10). In trying to save themselves from Babylon, these people have put themselves in the direct path of the Babylonian armies. In the event, Nebuchadnezzar invaded and defeated Egypt in 568/7 BC (compare Ezekiel 29:17-20).

10 November Jer 44:1-14

God continues to speak to His people even in Egypt. He warns them that just as He punished their forebears for idolatry (vv.2-6), so the current generation is courting disaster by turning to false gods (vv.7-10). God’s impassioned reproach (vv.7-9: “Why … Why … Have you forgotten …?) shows that the impending judgement is as unwelcome to Him as it is inevitable (compare Mt 23:37-38). Yet even now, judgement is characteristically tempered by mercy (v.14).

11 November Jer 44:15-30

The idolaters argue that when they worshipped the Queen of Heaven they prospered (vv.15-19). Jeremiah points out that it was just such worship that had brought those days to an end (vv.20-23). Compare the modern secularist who blames all our ills on Christianity, not the lack of it. Jeremiah’s final word to them warns that Pharaoh Hophra will prove no more of a refuge than Zedekiah did (v.30). The whole Egyptian enterprise was under God’s judgement because it was an attempt at self-salvation.

12 November Jer 45:1-5

Baruch’s bleak ending (43:6-7) was in stark contrast to the “great things” he might have hoped for as a member of a distinguished family (45:5). But this brief chapter reveals how Baruch had faced up to the cost of discipleship twenty years earlier (45:1, compare 36:1,4). His private drama (45:3) had to be accepted in view of the bigger drama in progress (v.4). Yet God was watching over His faithful servant (v.5).

• What does God reveal about Himself?
• How is your own heart revealed?
• How does this passage underline the wonder of God’s love for us in Jesus
• Christ, and your own need of Christ as Saviour and Lord?
• Turn these truths into prayer and praise.

30 October Jer 37:11-21

Jeremiah is accused of treason by attempting to desert to the Babylonians. Although the charge was false, it was given weight by Jeremiah’s preaching of surrender as the only way of survival (21:9). Yet Jeremiah’s calling was to point others to safety while refusing it for himself (compare Mt 27:42). Flogging and imprisonment brought Jeremiah near to death (v.20), but his prophetic voice was unwavering (vv.17,19). The king still would not hear, but he did ease Jeremiah’s prison conditions (v.21).

31 October Jer 38:1-13

The weak king Zedekiah is swayed first one way, then the other. Some of his officials persuaded him to have Jeremiah killed by allowing him to drown in a muddy cistern (vv.1-6). Then Ebed-Melek, a foreigner in the king’s service, convinced him that Jeremiah should be rescued (vv.7-10). God is still watching over His prophet and His word (compare 1:12).

1 November Jer 38:14-28

The final encounter between the king and the prophet is cloaked in secrecy (vv.24-27). Jeremiah is frustrated by the king’s past refusal to listen (v.15). Still, he repeats God’s offer of mercy even at this late hour (vv.17,20). Yet once again the king fails to respond (as ch.39 shows). Zedekiah is hoping to hear that God has changed His mind; he cannot face the necessary change on his own part. Ironically, it was he, rather than Jeremiah, whose feet were “sunk in the mud” (v.22).

2 November Jer 39:1-10

The story of the fall of Jerusalem, so consistently prophesied by Jeremiah, is now briefly told (further details are given in ch.52). Zedekiah, who hasn’t dared let God save him and his family, now deserts the people he has doomed (v.4). His attempt to save himself on his own terms fails horribly (vv.5-7), as all such efforts must (see Mk 8:35). Verses 8-9 show the severity of Babylonian judgement, tempered by a measure of reconstruction (v.10) since chaos would be in no-one’s interests.

3 November Jer 39:11-18

Although Jeremiah had never advocated collaboration with the enemy, he had urged surrender to spare further bloodshed. The Babylonians responded by treating him well (vv.11-14). But behind their action we should see God’s hand. For as the story of Ebed-Melek implies, God alone determines what happens to the one who trusts in Him (vv.15-18).

4 November Jer 40:1-12

Jeremiah rejected preferential treatment in Babylon (vv.1-4), choosing instead to stay with Gedaliah and the people left behind (vv.4-6). Gedaliah was a Jew appointed as governor by Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king (v.5). Gathering to Gedaliah (vv.7-8) implied submission to Babylon in line with God’s oft-repeated word through Jeremiah (v.9). God’s renewed blessing on the people and the land (vv.10-12) shows His unchanging purpose to do good to those who trust His word.

5 November Jer 40:13 – 41:18

Gedaliah’s generous attitude (40:13-16) was exploited by an assassin (41:1-3). Ishmael, his murderer, then displayed monstrous violence, slaughtering pilgrims who came to worship at the site of the ruined temple (41:4-9), and kidnapping many other people (41:10). Ishmael was in turn chased off the scene by Johanan and the army officers, and his captives were freed (41:11-15). But the fledgling community then repeated the mistake of turning to Egypt as a (false) refuge from Babylon (41:16-18).

• What does God reveal about Himself?
• How is your own heart revealed?
• How does this passage underline the wonder of God’s love for us in Jesus Christ, and your own need of Christ as Saviour and Lord?
• Turn these truths into prayer and praise.

23 October Jer 33:1-13

Jeremiah is still a prisoner (v.1). The Lord gives him another strengthening message, inviting him to “call to me” (v.3). Despite the sins of His people, God will restore them and give them His abundant blessing once more (vv.4-13). Great guilt is met by still greater grace.

24 October Jer 33:14-26

The restoration promised in these verses was tasted by the Jews who returned from exile in Babylon, but it reaches far beyond anything that was experienced at that time. It centres on the coming of the Messiah (the “righteous Branch … from David’s line” v.15). It is in Christ that what was foreshadowed by the Davidic kings and the Levitical priests finds fulfilment. He is our permanent King and Priest, in whom all who are Abraham’s descendants are forever blessed (Ro 4:16; Gal 3:29).

25 October Jer 34:1-22

In vv.1-7 Jeremiah gives a further warning to king Zedekiah of the judgement that awaits him. Verses 8-22 provide evidence of the king’s weak character. Slaves were freed during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, perhaps because food was scare: too many mouths to feed. Later, when the siege was temporarily lifted, the masters took their slaves back, in violation of the covenant (vv.8-11). Therefore God declared that He would “liberate” the covenant-breakers into the hands of their enemies (v.17).

26 October Jer 35:1-19

This chapter takes us back in time to the reign of Jehoiakim (v.1). It tells the story of Rekab’s descendants, who kept their ancestor’s command through many generations. The placement of this story here makes a sharp comment on the promise-breakers of ch.34, who broke their word to their freed slaves. It is also a wider criticism of the generations of Israelites who had not kept the Lord’s covenant (vv.12-16).

27 October Jer 36:1-19

The Lord instructed Jeremiah to set down in writing the oracles he had delivered to the people over many years (vv.1-3). Baruch, Jeremiah’s scribe, risked his life by what he wrote and later read out (vv.4-8). The first public reading (vv.9-11) led to a second reading to sympathetic officials (vv.12-15). They knew they must take these words to the king, but first they sent Jeremiah and Baruch into hiding (vv.16-19).

28 October Jer 36:20-32

The scroll was read to the king, who showed his contempt for Jeremiah’s words by burning them, to the horror of at least some of his officials (vv.20-25). Yet in ordering the arrest of Baruch and Jeremiah (v.26) he perhaps revealed his fear as well as his fury. His attempt to destroy God’s word was futile, as Jeremiah was simply commanded to make another scroll (vv.27-28). Jehoiakim received a special word of judgement for his impiety (vv.29-31). The new scroll contained even more words from the Lord (v.32).

29 October Jer 37:1-10

The action now proceeds quickly towards the final fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians. The weak king Zedekiah ignores God’s word through Jeremiah warning him to lessen the blow by surrendering the city (v.2). Instead, he begs Jeremiah to intercede with God for a different outcome (v.3). This, however, Jeremiah has already been forbidden by the Lord to do (7:16). Zedekiah needs to abandon his false hopes (vv.6-10) and heed the Lord’s counsel even at this desperately late hour.

• What does God reveal about Himself?
• How is your own heart revealed?
• How does this passage underline the wonder of God’s love for us in
• Jesus Christ, and your own need of Christ as Saviour and Lord?
• Turn these truths into prayer and praise.

16 October Jer 30:1-11

The early chapters of Jeremiah have emphasized God’s judgement on His
wayward people, but now a promised hope for the future begins to shine
through more and more. God will use his people’s sufferings to discipline
but not destroy them (vv.5-7, 11). Beyond their captivity in Babylon, God
will restore His people (vv.3, 8-10).

17 October Jer 30:12-24

Amazing grace! God’s people have an incurable wound (v.12), but God’s
love will heal them (v.17). Their future is an abundant life under a leader
who shares God’s heart (vv.18-21). God and His people will live together
in a world where evil is finally defeated (vv.22-24). As elsewhere in
prophecy, these words hold layers of fulfilment. The exiles who returned
from Babylon received a first instalment. Yet the exuberance of the
promises points to a more distant fulfilment in which we will share in
Christ (note v.24: the vision looks forward to God “fully accomplishing”
the purposes of His heart).

18 October Jer 31:1-14

Ch.31 continues to celebrate God’s mercy that will result in the return
from exile. However, the vision looks forward to a far greater gathering of
God’s people than anything that happened in the liberation from Babylon.
Jeremiah is given a glimpse of the glorious future that awaits the whole
people of God. The source from which all our blessings flow is revealed in
v.3: “I have loved you with an everlasting love …”

19 October Jer 31:15-30

The picture of Rachel weeping for her children (v.15) speaks of the
tragedy of Israel’s lost tribes, scattered by the Assyrians more than a
century earlier. But Rachel can dry her tears (v.16) because her children,
described here as “Ephraim”, have begun to mourn for their sins
(vv.18-20). The Lord will welcome home Israel and Judah (vv.21-25) and
give His people a fresh start (vv.27-30).

20 October Jer 31:31-40

Israel’s obedience to the old Mosaic covenant had proved to be no more
than skin-deep at best. God now speaks of a new covenant that will
change hearts and produce a true marriage between God and His people
(vv.31-34). In vv.35-40 Jeremiah uses images from the world he knows to
give a picture of God’s final and complete deliverance of His people. The
new covenant is ultimately made possible by the death of Jesus (1Cor
11:25; Heb 8:7-13; 9:15).

21 October Jer 32:1-15

Judah is besieged, Jeremiah is imprisoned, and King Zedekiah still refuses
to listen to God’s word (vv.1-5). Yet God offers a sign of hope as Jeremiah
is instructed to buy a field from a family member (vv.6-12). The point is
that despite the current destruction of Judah, God promises that in the
future He will restore normal life (vv.14-15). Jeremiah’s action at such a
traumatic time of siege showed his faith in God’s word.

22 October Jer 32:26-44

The oddness of buying a field in the midst of national catastrophe
prompts Jeremiah’s prayer (vv.16-25). He affirms that “nothing is too
hard” for the Lord (v.17). But does it really make sense to buy a field at
this time (vv.24-25)? The Lord confirms that nothing is too hard for Him
(v.27), and repeats His current purpose of judgement (vv.28-35). But then
He promises to bring salvation out of destruction (vv.36-41) – and that’s
the really hard thing to do! So Jeremiah’s purchase is not foolish, but full
of hope (vv.42-44).

9 October Jer 25:1-14

God’s great patience – and Jeremiah’s extraordinary stamina – in preaching to these people for 23 years (v.3) is met by a stubbornness that amounts to self-harming (v.7). The Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful man in the world, yet he was never more than God’s servant (v.9). God worked through Nebuchadnezzar’s evil behaviour to judge the people of Judah (vv.8-11) before punishing the Babylonians for their own crimes (vv.12-14). Truly God has the whole world in His hands.

10 October Jer 25:15-38

Behind the violent convulsions of the nations lies the hand of God, turning the nations’ wickedness on their own heads in judgement. Sin brings a collective madness on us in which destroys nations from within, so that v.27 is no exaggeration. God’s judgement includes the high and mighty who think themselves the shepherds of their people (vv.34-38). All this was true in Jeremiah’s day; alas, it seems we never learn.

11 October Jer 26:1-24

Jeremiah’s call for repentance almost costs him his life. The priests and the prophets demanded his death (v.11) but he was saved by officials and elders who reasoned from the Scriptures and took his criticisms less personally (vv.16-19). The fate of Uriah (vv.20-23) shows what kind of a tyrant Jehoiakim was, and the courage needed in a prophet. Uriah was killed while Jeremiah was preserved. God’s decisions are matters for His wisdom, not ours.

12 October Jer 27:1-22

Jeremiah delivers a message for his own people and the surrounding nations (v.3). If they will submit to Babylon, they will be spared a worse fate. If they will not submit, they will suffer destruction and exile. Babylon, too, will be judged in its turn (v.7). How ripe all these nations were for judgement will be made clear in chs.46-51, where we’ll also see the mercy that lay beyond judgement (as v.7 already hints).

13 October Jer 28:1-17

Jeremiah was constantly confronted by false prophets who made empty promises of good times ahead. God regards false prophecy as a deadly sin which misleads His people. He bluntly calls it “lies” (v.15) and “rebellion” (v.16). For the false prophet Hananiah, God’s sentence is swiftly executed (v.17), though not without prior warning.

14 October Jer 29:1-23

The Jews were exiled in Babylon in stages following various attempts to throw off Babylonian rule over Judah. Here Jeremiah writes from Jerusalem to those already in exile, urging them to accept their captivity for the present (vv.4-7), confident that God has a future for them beyond captivity (vv.10-14). But they must beware of false prophets who peddle empty hopes in Babylon as they do in Jerusalem (vv.7-8, 15-19). God judges severely those who utter lies in His name (vv.20-23).

15 October Jer 29:24-32

The false prophet Shemaiah in Babylon wrote to the temple authorities in Jerusalem to try to have Jeremiah silenced with the stocks and an iron collar (vv.24-28). However, Zephaniah the priest in Jerusalem wavered and merely showed Jeremiah the letter (v.29). The Lord declared punishment for Shemaiah for persuading the exiles to trust in lies (vv.30-32).

2 October Jer 21:1-14

Although there are many examples in Scripture of people turning from their sins to the Lord and finding deliverance, this chapter reminds us that we cannot take God’s grace for granted. Zedekiah was Judah’s last king. He and his people had refused to listen to the Lord, and now it is too late. Jerusalem will fall to Babylon. The moral basis of God’s judgement is made clear in vv.12-14.

3 October Jer 22:1-12

Jer 22 reviews the unhappy history of Judah’s kings after the godly Josiah. Verses 1-9 highlight the choice open to Judah after Josiah’s death: to continue his reforms and live (vv.2-4) or to reject them and die (vv.5-9). Verses 10-12 contrast Josiah’s worthy reign with that of his son Shallum (also called Jehoahaz) who reigned for only three months and died in exile (see 2Kings 23:31-34).

4 October Jer 22:13-30

The sad parade of wicked kings continues with Jehoiakim (vv.13-23). He exploited his people to boost his own ego (vv.13-14), in stark contrast to his godly father (vv.15-17). God’s judgement on him would be severe (vv.18-23). The chapter closes with his son Jehoiachin (vv.24-30), who was king for only three months before being taken captive to Babylon (2Kings 24:8-17). Yet we will meet him again 37 years later in Jer 52. In the midst of terrible judgement, there is still a glimmer of hope!

5 October Jer 23:1-8

“Shepherds” of God’s people in the Old Testament generally refers to the kings and their officers. Their repeated failings are summed up in vv.1-2. This is what led to the Babylonian exile. But God looks forward to a new beginning for His people. It will be glimpsed when He brings them home from Babylon once more (vv.3-4, 7-8). But the ultimate fulfilment awaits the coming of the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ (vv.5-6). His wise rule will enable His people to flourish.

6 October Jer 23:9-24

God’s people have always been plagued by false teachers. Jeremiah identifies some of their characteristics: they abuse power (v.10); live a double life (v.14); downplay judgement (v.17); offer their own opinions instead of God’s word (vv.21-22); and fail to take God seriously (vv.23-24). Their punishment will be heavy indeed (vv.12,15,19-20).

7 October Jer 23:25-40

God utterly detests people claiming to speak His word when they are doing nothing of the sort. Peddling our own ideas in His name is dangerous vanity, exposing those who do it to God’s hostility (vv.30-31) and ultimately to “everlasting shame” (v.40). In contrast with the deluded blabbering of the self-appointed prophets, the revealed word of God is nutritious (“grain”, v.28); purifying (“fire”, v.29); and powerful (“like a hammer”, v.29).

8 October Jer 24:1-10

There is a future for the people of God after all! But unexpectedly, the future lies with those already exiled in Babylon (“the good figs”, vv.5-8). For King Zedekiah and his officials who have rejected God’s word (the bad figs”, vv.8-10) there is only destruction. The future is always with those who humble themselves under God’s word – something we need to remember in our own day.

25 September Jer 15:5-21

Jeremiah had to deliver an uncompromising word of judgement (vv.5-9, 12-14). Not surprisingly, this proved costly (v.10), and Jeremiah poured out his disappointment with his message, and even with his Master (vv.15-18). The Lord’s reply was challenging (v.19) and heartening (vv.11, 20-21).

26 September Jer 16:1-21

Jeremiah is denied a wife or children and even a normal social life to underline the seriousness of his message that judgement is coming (vv.1-13). Yet God will one day grant His people a deliverance from exile in Babylon that will overtake even the exodus from Egypt (vv.14-18). Jeremiah is granted a glimpse of a future global spiritual harvest (vv.19-21) – and we are part of the fulfilment!

27 September Jer 17:1-18

Another oracle of judgement (vv.1-4) leads to a frank statement of the two ways between which we must all choose (vv.5-11). The key word is “trust” (vv.5,7) because everything will depend on where our heart is. In the praise and pain of vv.12-18 we see the inside story of Jeremiah’s life and ministry.

28 September Jer 17:19-27

The Sabbath functions here as a test case for the people of Judah. Sabbath-keeping was a sign of the covenant with the Lord, and their reaction to the gift of a day set aside for God was a fair indicator of their spiritual temperature. It still is.

29 September Jer 18:1-23

The potter’s ability to make something new from a spoiled pot mirrors God’s own freedom to give His people a new future. This becomes a challenge to repent (vv.1-11). Alas, their stubbornness can only end in disaster (vv.12-17). Once again, Jeremiah cries out under the pain of rejection by his people (vv.18-23).

30 September Jer 19:1-15

Through the acted parable of smashing a clay jar, Jeremiah made his message of coming judgement even more forceful and memorable (vv.1-13). Then he bravely entered the lions’ den, confronting the nations failing leaders in the temple court (vv.14-15). The cost to Jeremiah is spelled out in the next chapter.

1 October Jer 20:1-18

Threats against Jeremiah turn to violence (vv.1-2). However, God’s punishment of Pashur will make clear who is the real offender (vv.3-6). In all his trials, Jeremiah feels he is wrestling not simply with his enemies but with God (vv.7-10). His emotions swing between soaring heights (vv.11-13) and unbearable depths (v.14-18). The raw wounds are recorded so that we will realize the sharpness of the spiritual battle, and remember the weakness of even God’s finest servants.