Get Truth Get Life

In the potter’s chambers where the potter toils, 

A great work He does with common soil, 

From dust we were created,  

God’s breath of life keeps us elevated.  

In God’s hands, broken clay shapes a perfect man,  

God exalts, why don’t we trust His perfect plan?  

God is waiting for us, to Him alone let’s run, 

Hear, O people, the Lord our God is One.  

“Can I not do with you as this potter does?” 

Whispers the Lord, whose love always is and was, 

Jeremiah endured persecution, he endured many wars, 

Faithful in obedience, abiding by God’s laws.  

O Christians, God’s people, a stiff-necked kind, 

Hearts of stone, blind leading blind. 

“You have forsaken Me,” is God’s cry, 

But when troubles befall us, we ask God why?  

God says,  

But still I call, relentless in grace, 

Return to Me, seek My face,  

Renewed in love, all things refreshed,  

God’s unmatchable love, the best of the best.  

So, kneel at the wheel, where hope is spun, 

The Potter is not finished, His work’s not done, 

From shards of despair, He forms anew, 

His faithful hands are shaping you. 

Hebrews 11:32-35 (KJV) – “³²And what shall I more say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: ³³Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. ³⁴Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. ³⁵Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection.” 

Background of Jeremiah 

Jeremiah was a major prophet in the Old Testament, known as the “weeping prophet” due to the profound sorrow he expressed over the fate of Judah. His ministry spanned approximately 40 years, from the thirteenth year of King Josiah’s reign (around 627 BC) until after the fall of Jerusalem and the beginning of the Babylonian exile (around 586 BC). 

Jeremiah in Hebrew is יִרְמְיָהוּ (Yirmeyahu), which means “Yahweh will exalt” or “The Lord exalts.” 

• יִרְמ (yirm) – derived from a root meaning “to exalt” or “to lift up” 

• יָהּ (Yah) – a shortened form of Yahweh, the name of God 

Jeremiah’s name signifies the exaltation or upliftment that comes from Yahweh, reflecting the themes of God’s sovereignty and purpose throughout the book of Jeremiah. 

Historical Context 

Political Landscape: Jeremiah’s ministry took place during a turbulent time in Judah’s history. The nation faced threats from powerful empires such as Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon. The Babylonians eventually conquered Jerusalem, leading to the destruction of the temple and the exile of many Jews. 

Spiritual Climate: The people of Judah were deeply entrenched in idolatry, social injustice, and disobedience to God’s covenant. Jeremiah called them to repentance and warned of the impending judgment if they did not return to God. 

Babylonian Exile: The central event during Jeremiah’s ministry was the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. Jeremiah’s prophecies often focused on this event, urging the people to submit to Babylon as God’s instrument of judgment and promising a future restoration. 

Structure of the Book of Jeremiah 

Chapters 1-25: Prophecies of judgment against Judah and Jerusalem for their sins, with calls for repentance. 

Chapters 26-45: Narratives of Jeremiah’s life, his interactions with kings and false prophets, and messages of both judgment and hope. 

Chapters 46-51: Prophecies against foreign nations. 

Chapter 52: An appendix recounting the fall of Jerusalem and the exile. 

The verses in Hebrews 11:32-35 mention prophets and heroes who demonstrated extraordinary faith. Jeremiah, as a prophet, fits within the group mentioned in Hebrews 11:32 (“…and of the prophets”). His life exemplifies faithfulness to God’s call, even in the face of severe opposition and personal suffering.  

Great personal cost marked Jeremiah’s ministry. He was persecuted, imprisoned, and threatened with death because of his prophecies (Jeremiah 20:1-2; 26:11; 37:15-16). His unwavering faith in delivering God’s message, despite these hardships, aligns with the endurance highlighted in Hebrews 11:33-34. 

Hebrews 11:35 mentions those who “were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection.” Jeremiah’s messages often included themes of suffering and hope, such as the promise of a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34) and the eventual restoration of Israel. Jeremiah’s prophecies foretold God’s miraculous interventions in history. For example, the preservation of a remnant and the future return from exile. 

Jeremiah’s ministry took place during a period of national crisis for Judah, characterized by political upheaval and spiritual decline. He prophesied judgment against the nation’s sins but also offered hope for future restoration through a new covenant. Hebrews 11:32-35 connects to Jeremiah by highlighting the faith of prophets like him who remained steadfast in proclaiming God’s truth despite severe opposition and personal suffering. Through their faith, these prophets, including Jeremiah, played a crucial role in God’s redemptive plan, which would ultimately be fulfilled in Jesus Christ. 

Accepting His Purpose  

Jeremiah 1:4-9 (KJ21) – “⁴ Then the Word of the Lord came unto me, saying, ⁵ “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” ⁶ Then said I, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a child.” ⁷ But the Lord said unto me, “Say not, ‘I am a child’; for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. ⁸ Be not afraid of their faces, for I am with thee to deliver thee,” saith the Lord. ⁹ Then the Lord put forth His hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, ‘Behold, I have put My words in thy mouth.’” 

The Word of God informed Jeremiah of his purpose. Unfortunately, many people die without knowing their purpose because they do not interact much with God’s Word. God created everyone and everything with a purpose. He created all animals and plants for a purpose. All human beings were created for a purpose. A few people know their purpose at an early age but some struggle to know their purpose.  

It is through interaction with God that we will be able to know our purpose in this life. It is through interaction with God that He will give us the proper direction on how to pursue that purpose. When we know our purpose, we will have focus. We will know what to do and what not to do. When God created Adam and Eve, He gave them a purpose. He told them to be fruitful, multiply, replenish the earth and subdue it (Genesis 1:28).  

After Adam and Eve sinned, the entire human race inherited a sinful nature. Therefore, we may not be able to know the purpose that we were created for as we are not familiar with God’s voice. This calls for us to make a conscious decision to interact with God through prayer and studying the Bible so that He may tell us our purpose. One reason Satan brings all forms of distractions is that he does not want you to study the Bible and know your purpose and follow the proper direction to pursue your purpose.  

Your purpose is meant to give you fulfillment. Your purpose is meant to enable you to earn a living. Your purpose is meant to make you great. Many people seem successful in their careers, but they are not living according to their purpose. That is why we have many people who hate their jobs despite earning a salary. They are in their jobs only because of the money. It is like being stuck in a marriage because of the children and not out of love for your partner. Their job does not give them fulfillment. This results in a world full of angry and selfish people. Their job has placed a trap on them that they cannot get out of because they want to pay the bills for the next month. They want to quit but they cannot quit because it seems risky.  

Often, I hear people talking about the rabbit holes that masturbation, drugs, and lustful behavior among other evils put you into. I rarely hear people talking about the rabbit hole that a job that you don’t like puts you into. When 9-year-old Mickel took my phone and saw the poems I have written, he asked me, “Is this what you do as a job?” And I answered, “Yes, that is part of what I do as a job.” He answered and said, “Then your job must be so much fun.” He was right. I am always happy.  

One thing that contributes to my happiness is that everything I do to earn a living is in line with my purpose and my gifts. I can write 5,000 to 10,000 words a day without feeling tired and bored. In fact, the more I write, the more excited I get. I have other gifts which I love engaging in that give me fulfillment. I may not have earned much money out of all these activities I do but I feel fulfilled. This causes me to transmit that positive energy to anyone who is around me, lighting up their lives.  

Myles Munroe says there is a difference between your job and your work. He says that your job is what you are given to do, and your work is what you were created to do. He says that you need to seek deployment in your work and not employment for a job. Doing the work that God created you for while following His directions puts you in full time service to God.  

From experience, God is the best leader you can ever have. When you work for Him, you will always feel refreshed as He will keep on renewing your strength (Isaiah 40:31). He will always comfort you when you are feeling low and keep you in a good mood. Unlike your earthly bosses, God is willing to give you as many off days as you want. You can do His work at your own pace. However, do not take so much time in doing your God-given assignments because you have limited time on this earth to make an impact and you don’t know when your time will end.  

God told Jeremiah his work which was to be a prophet unto the nations. At first, Jeremiah was hesitant because the role seemed quite big for him, and he was young. He had heard of the great prophets and the stupendous work that they had done for the kingdom of God. He probably wondered how he would be able to match their accomplishments while being young at that time. Therefore, he told God that he cannot speak because he is a child.  

The mandate that God has given each one of us to carry out is huge and goes beyond what we know we can do. He has given us that mandate so that we put our trust in Him. It is okay to acknowledge that by our own powers we cannot do it, but it is not okay to refuse to take up the assignment He has given us. Refusing to take the assignments that God gives us is doubting God and doubting God is sin.  

“We should not talk of our own weakness and inability. This is a manifest distrust of God, a denial of His Word. When we murmur because of our burdens, or refuse the responsibilities He calls upon us to bear, we are virtually saying that He is a hard master, that He requires what He has not given us power to do.” – Messages to Young People, Page 309.4, Ellen G. White.  

God told Jeremiah not to say that He is a child. He told him not to talk about his weaknesses and inability. Don’t talk about how you cannot keep the Sabbath day holy or how you cannot fast. Trust in God to help you do what you have no power to do. God told Jeremiah not to look down on himself because he was young. Never look down on yourself and never allow anyone to look down on you. You can do all things through Christ, who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13). God assured Jeremiah that He would be with him. God touched Jeremiah’s mouth and kept His words in the prophet’s mouth.  

In other words, God did the heavy work for Jeremiah. Jeremiah’s work was only to deliver the Words given to him by God. It is like a delivery man working for a huge company. The delivery man does not engage himself in research and development of products. He does not engage himself in the process of manufacturing those products. He does not engage himself in the sales and marketing of those products. He just takes the products and delivers them to where he is sent.  

In most companies, they give delivery men means of transport to use when delivering their products. That looks so simple, right? Yes, it is extraordinarily simple. Thus, God says that His yoke is easy, and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). That was the case with Jeremiah and that will be the same case with me and you when we heed God’s call and follow the purpose that He has ordained for us.  

Your purpose will be much easier to do than the job you are in which you hate. Your purpose can give you so much money than the job which you are finding hard to leave. Your purpose can make you great beyond your imagination. Jeremiah’s book has been read by many congregations and generations. Thousands of years have passed, and it is still read. The same applies to all the Bible writers. Most of them did not know that their work was going to impact people so much. As many of them are still dead in the grave, they have no idea that the work they did is being read till now.  

What made them so great? What made them great was accepting the simple work that God gave them. God is the type of teacher who gives you an assignment that seems so difficult to you. He goes ahead and does everything for you and gives you to deliver it to Him and rewards you for doing that assignment well.  

Proclaiming an Unpopular Message 

Jeremiah 7:27 (KJV) – “Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not answer thee.” 

God prepared Jeremiah beforehand on what he was going to encounter while spreading His message. He did not want Jeremiah to be caught by surprise. Therefore, He told him that people will not listen to the words he tells them. God had placed His words in Jeremiah’s mouth (Jeremiah 1:9), meaning the words that Jeremiah was to preach were divine words.  

Human beings cannot properly comprehend divine words. That is why it is important to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide us and teach us while studying the Bible. Failure to ask the Holy Spirit to guide you can lead to a misunderstanding of the Bible which may cause one to hate it and to reject the divine words of the Most High God.  

The people that Jeremiah was being sent to had sunk so deep into sin that their minds were too clogged to comprehend the truth. Rejecting Jeremiah did not mean that the words Jeremiah spoke were less divine because they rejected him, it means that their minds were too carnal. God’s message is always unpopular to an audience that has made sin popular. God’s words are as unfathomably high as the heavens are from the earth.  

We need to have minds that have been intertwined with the Divine Most Holy One to understand them. This preparation that God gave Jeremiah was essential to him so that Jeremiah does not give up when he sees people not listening to him. If the people faced judgment, it would have been out of their own choice. They could not say that they were not told. That is how fair God is. Jeremiah went ahead and faithfully proclaimed God’s message of impending judgment to a hostile audience. 

The Potter’s House 

Jeremiah 18:1-6 (KJ21) – “¹ The Word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, ² “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear My words.” ³ Then I went down to the potter’s house, and behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. ⁴ And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. ⁵ Then the Word of the Lord came to me, saying, ⁶ “O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter?” saith the Lord. “Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in Mine hand, O house of Israel.” 

The potter represents God, and the clay represents the people of Israel (and by extension, all humanity). Just as the potter has control over the clay to shape it as he wills, God has control over nations and individuals. The marred vessel signifies Israel’s current state of disobedience and sin. However, the potter’s ability to reshape the vessel demonstrates God’s willingness to reform and restore those who repent and turn back to Him. 

The passage underscores that while God has the power to pronounce judgment, He also has the power to extend mercy and bring about renewal. The fate of the clay (Israel) depends on its responsiveness to the potter’s (God’s) hands. This object lesson serves as a call to the people of Israel to recognize their need for repentance and to submit to God’s will, allowing Him to shape their destiny. 

Enduring Persecution and Imprisonment 

Jeremiah 20:2 (KJV) – “Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the Lord.” 

Jeremiah 37:15-16 (KJV) – “¹⁵ Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe: for they had made that the prison. ¹⁶ When Jeremiah was entered into the dungeon, and into the cabins, and Jeremiah had remained there many days.” 

Jeremiah endured physical persecution and imprisonment for his prophecies. As Christians, we should not dread persecution because persecution for righteousness’ sake is a blessing (Matthew 5:10-12). Persecution while doing righteous activities puts you at the platform to be highly favored and supremely blessed by God. This is because it is easy to get from point A to point B without getting obstacles on the way. However, when you encounter obstacles on the way, the journey becomes more difficult.  

When you go back because of the obstacles, you won’t reach your destination but when you endure and overcome all obstacles, you will finally reach your destination. Human beings will care less about the obstacles you have endured, especially if they are not on the journey with you. Therefore, no matter what you tell them, they would not understand properly what you have endured. Many of them would not reward you for enduring those obstacles. God is not like that. God is with you on the journey, and He sees all the obstacles that you have had to overcome in your journey. He will reward you greatly for overcoming them all.   

In Jeremiah’s story we see that Pashur smote Jeremiah and put him in stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin (Jeremiah 20:2). Pashur, a priest and the chief officer in the house of the Lord, felt threatened and angered by Jeremiah’s prophecies. Jeremiah specifically named Pashur in his prophecies, calling him “Magor-Missabib,” meaning “terror on every side,” and predicting his captivity and death in Babylon (Jeremiah 20:3-6). Pashur reacted to these messages by striking Jeremiah and putting him in the stocks to punish him and publicly humiliate him, attempting to silence his prophetic warnings. 

The princes were angry with Jeremiah, smote him, and put him in prison for many days (Jeremiah 37:15-16). The princes and other leaders viewed Jeremiah’s prophecies as demoralizing and a threat to their authority and the city’s defense. They believed he was undermining their efforts to resist the Babylonian siege. In their anger, the princes had Jeremiah beaten and imprisoned in the house of Jonathan the scribe, which had been converted into a prison. This imprisonment involved harsh conditions, as Jeremiah was placed in a dungeon and confined in a cell. 

The truth will keep marching on. You can oppose the messenger, but you cannot oppose the message of truth. We have put men and women of God into persecution because we do not want to listen to the messages that they have been sent to tell us. God does not desire to hurt us. He sends the truth to us so that we can be humble and go to Him.  

It is through our hard-heartedness and pride that we are unwilling to change our ways and since we do not want to change our ways, we fight those whom God has sent. Fighting them is adding more blessings to them and bringing more curses to ourselves. We may defeat them physically but the Lord who fights for them and who is stronger than us all will take the battle against them as a battle against Him and we will face dire consequences.  

Our focus should be on the message and not the messenger because God can use anybody. When we focus on the message of truth, we will get all the blessings that the message possesses. However, when we focus on the messenger and not the message, we will add no value in our lives.  

Writing God’s Words in a Scroll 

Jeremiah 36:4 (KJV) – “Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the Lord, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book.” 

Meaning of names 

Baruch: 

• The name Baruch (בָּרוּךְ in Hebrew) means “blessed.” 

Neriah: 

• The name Neriah (נֵרִיָּה in Hebrew) means “The Lord is my lamp” or “Lamp of the Lord.” 

Role of Baruch 

Baruch, the son of Neriah, was a scribe and faithful companion of the prophet Jeremiah. He played a crucial role in documenting Jeremiah’s prophecies. Jeremiah dictated the words given to him by the Lord, and Baruch wrote them down on a scroll (as seen in Jeremiah 36:4). Baruch’s work was vital in preserving the prophetic messages and ensuring they were communicated to the people and the king. 

The Baruch mentioned in Jeremiah is traditionally considered to be the same Baruch who is attributed to the Book of Baruch in the Apocrypha. The Book of Baruch is a deuterocanonical book included in the Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate, but it is not part of the Hebrew Bible.  

Jeremiah dictated God’s words to Baruch to be written in a scroll; despite knowing it could provoke anger from the authorities. During the fourth year of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, God instructed Jeremiah to write down all the prophecies he had received over the years (Jeremiah 36:2). Jeremiah chose to be a blessing to Baruch by involving him in writing the book.  

Delegation of tasks assigned to us increases our efficiency and our effectiveness. It enables one to do more than they could have done and enables one to do higher quality work in the little that they have chosen to do or have been given to do. Most people are reluctant to delegate because they do not trust others with their work. They do not believe that others can do better work than them. Do not fear delegating.  

Delegate and train others to do what God has instructed you to do. God has not given you that opportunity to work for Him because you are perfect. Therefore, you should not stress yourself to look for perfect people to do the work that you want to delegate to them. Instead, look for people who are willing and teachable and give them the privilege to be a blessing and to be blessed.  

Jeremiah 36:8 (KJ21) – “And Baruch the son of Neriah did according to all that Jeremiah the prophet commanded him, reading in the book the words of the Lord in the Lord’s house.” 

Baruch was faithful and he did everything that Jeremiah had commanded him to do. He wrote the book and he read the words of the Lord in the Lord’s house. He went the extra mile to read the words of God and not just write.  

Jeremiah 36:10 (KJ21) – “Then Baruch read from the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of the Lord, in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, in the higher court, at the entry of the new gate of the Lord’s house, in the ears of all the people.” 

In Hebrew, the name Gemariah (גֵּמַרְיָה) means “Yahweh has brought to an end” or “Yahweh has completed.” The name combines the Hebrew root “kamar” (כָּמַר), meaning “to complete” or “to finish,” with the divine name “Yah” (יָה), referring to God. Gemariah is described in Jeremiah 36:10 as the son of Shaphan, a scribe. He played a role during the time of Jeremiah in the administration and religious practices of Judah. 

In Hebrew, the name Shaphan (שָׁפָן) means “rock badger” or “hyrax,” referring to a small, rock-dwelling animal. The name is derived from the Hebrew word “shafan” (שָׁפָן), which means “rock badger” or “hyrax.” This name might symbolize a sense of steadfastness or small but resilient nature. Shaphan is mentioned as Gemariah’s father and is known as a scribe and a government official during the reign of King Josiah. He is notable for his role in the discovery of the Book of the Law in the Temple, which was a significant event in Judah’s history. 

Baruch read from the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of the Lord. He read them in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe. Shaphan was a well-known scribe and Baruch was also a scribe. Scribes were involved in the recording and copying of texts, interpreting and teaching, administrative duties and legal expertise.  

Baruch associated himself with other scribes like himself. It is important to associate yourself with people from the same field as you so that you can have more insight concerning that field. This will enable you to have more knowledge in that field. You will have insights concerning the challenges and benefits.  

It is not good to operate in isolation because no person is an island. God has placed us amid people for a reason. Jeremiah involved Baruch and Baruch involved himself with other scribes. Baruch read the words that he had written to the entire public. The Word of God is meant to be publicly proclaimed. It is not meant to be hidden. Mention it to people whether they know about it or not.  

2 Peter 1:20 (KJ21) – “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation.” 

Buying a Field as a Sign of Hope 

Jeremiah 32:9-10 (KJV) – “And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle’s son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver. And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances.” 

Why did Jeremiah buy the field? 

Jeremiah 32:6-7 – “⁶ And Jeremiah said, “The Word of the Lord came unto me, saying, ⁷ Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thy uncle shall come unto thee, saying, ‘Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it.’” 

It was God who instructed Jeremiah to buy the field. Do you seek God’s Word before buying or engaging in something? We should seek God’s opinion all the time because it is in Him we live, move, and have our being (Acts 17:28). Nothing we are to do should be independent of God. We should ask God for permission and respect whatever decision He makes. We should ask His guidance concerning what He has given us permission to do.  

The purchase was done in obedience to God’s command. In Jeremiah 32:6-7, God told Jeremiah that his cousin Hanameel would come to him with an offer to buy the field. This act was meant to demonstrate that despite the dire circumstances, God had plans to restore and bless His people in the future. 

Jeremiah’s purchase of the field was a symbolic act. During this time, Judah was facing impending destruction due to the Babylonian siege. The city of Jerusalem was under threat, and the future seemed bleak. In this context, Jeremiah’s purchase was a sign of faith and hope in the future restoration of the land. The transaction was conducted in accordance with legal and formal practices.  

Jeremiah bought the field from Hanameel, who was his cousin, and followed all legal procedures: paying the money, subscribing the evidence (writing a legal document), sealing it, and taking witnesses. This ensured the legitimacy of the purchase and highlighted the importance of the act. All legal procedures in doing our earthly business should be followed. If the government requires you to pay a certain amount of tax, pay it. If the business that you are in requires you to have a certain license, have it.  

By purchasing the field, Jeremiah publicly demonstrated his faith in God’s promise of restoration. Despite the current situation, he acted on the belief that the land would once again be inhabited and fruitful. This purchase served as a prophetic assurance to the people of Judah. It was a tangible sign that God’s promises of future restoration and prosperity were still valid, even in the midst of judgment and destruction. 

Interceding for the People 

Jeremiah 14:20-21 (KJV) – “We acknowledge, O Lord, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee. Do not abhor us, for thy name’s sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.” 

Jeremiah prayed and interceded for the people of Judah, despite God’s instructions to stop praying for them due to their persistent rebellion. Inspite of being a servant of God, he acknowledged that he had sinned when praying to God. He took the blame of the entire nation on his shoulders. Pointing fingers and trying your best to get away from the blame is not a Godly act. It is an act of evil for it is an act of pride. It is pride because it is trying to elevate oneself and appear perfect.  

Jesus was humble enough to take the entire sin of the world on His shoulders even though He was flawless. As a leader, your subordinates might do something wrong and the blame is placed on you. Carry that blame and embrace it. Doing that will cause you to be more diligent next time. That principle should apply when you take a leadership role in any jurisdiction, even in the family.  

Taking the blame makes you humble and willing to correct the mistakes that have been done. Trying to free yourself from the blame will give you a false sense of belief that you are perfect. Therefore, you will be reluctant to do more to become better.  

Matthew 5:11-12 (KJ21) – “¹¹ Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. ¹² Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you.” 

God did not tell us to try hard and defend ourselves when we are falsely accused. Instead, He told us to rejoice and be exceedingly glad. This is because those who are leveling false accusations against us are giving us blessings in disguise. Jeremiah took the blame and interceded for the people. The people he interceded for are the same ones who were opposing and persecuting him but he still interceded for them. Pray for people, even the ones who cause you the most problems.  

Matthew 5:43-44 (KJ21) – “⁴³ Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. ⁴⁴ But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” 

Trusting God’s Promise of Restoration 

Jeremiah 31:31-34 (KJV) – “³¹ Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: ³² Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which My covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: ³³ But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be My people. ³⁴ And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” 

Jeremiah conveyed God’s promise of a new covenant and future restoration for Israel and Judah. Through Jeremiah, God promised to make a new covenant with Israel. He promised to write the law in their hearts so that they may be able to differentiate between righteousness and evil and so that it can be in their hearts to do good in the sight of the Lord. We should pray for God to write His law in our hearts.  

Philippians 2:13 (KJV) – “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”  

Warning King Zedekiah 

Jeremiah 38:17-18 (KJV) – “¹⁷ Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon’s princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house: ¹⁸ But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon’s princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand.” 

Jeremiah consistently warned King Zedekiah of the consequences of resisting Babylon, urging submission as God’s will. He gave him two options to choose from. One option was to go forth unto the king of Babylon’s princes while the other option was not to go. He told him of the consequences that each decision carries. We have a choice to choose between righteousness and evil. When we choose righteousness, we will have blessings (Deuteronomy 28:1-13). When we choose evil, we shall encounter curses (Deuteronomy 28:15-68).  

What did King Zedekiah do after Jeremiah gave him that message?  

In the verses following Jeremiah’s message, Zedekiah expressed fear to Jeremiah that if he surrendered, the Jews who had already defected to the Babylonians would mistreat him (Jeremiah 38:19). Jeremiah reassured Zedekiah that he would not be handed over to them and that it would go well with him if he obeyed (Jeremiah 38:20-23). 

Despite the reassurance and the dire warning, Zedekiah did not surrender. He was indecisive and lacked the courage to follow through with the prophet’s counsel. He did not trust God who gave him that reassurance through Prophet Jeremiah. As a result, Zedekiah’s inaction led to the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy. The Babylonians besieged Jerusalem, and the city eventually fell. Zedekiah tried to escape but was captured near Jericho (Jeremiah 39:4-5). 

The consequences of not heeding Jeremiah’s warning were severe. The Babylonians captured Zedekiah, killed his sons before his eyes, and then blinded him. They took him in chains to Babylon, where he remained until his death. Jerusalem was burned, and the temple and the city walls were destroyed (Jeremiah 39:6-9). 

Refusing to Alter God’s Message 

Jeremiah 26:12-13 (KJV) – “¹² Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard. ¹³ Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the Lord your God; and the Lord will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.” 

Jeremiah had been prophesying in the Temple, warning that the city of Jerusalem and the Temple would be destroyed if the people did not repent and turn back to God (Jeremiah 26:4-6). The priests, the prophets, and all the people heard Jeremiah’s words and were outraged. They seized Jeremiah and said he deserved to die for the message he preached (Jeremiah 26:7-9). 

When the officials (princes) of Judah heard about the commotion, they came up from the king’s house to the house of the Lord. They took their seats at the entrance of the New Gate of the Lord’s house. They took on the role of judges to hear the case (Jeremiah 26:10). The priests and prophets formally accused Jeremiah before the princes and the people, saying, “This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears” (Jeremiah 26:11). 

Hebrews 11:6 says that it is impossible to please God without faith and it also says that God is a rewarder to those who please Him by diligently seeking Him. Numbers 23:19 says that God does not lie. Jesus says in John 14:6 that He is the truth. John 1:1 says that Jesus is the Word. This means that God’s Word is truth. If God’s Word is truth and God cannot lie, then it is true when God says He will reward those who please Him in Hebrews 11:6.  

Knowing this, the question is, who should we aim to please? God or man? Most of us despise the rewards of God by chasing after the rewards of men. When invited to preach to a church, some pastors shy away from saying the truth so that they can get invited again. Many preachers do not want to preach the truth because it does not bring much offering. Jeremiah refused to alter God’s message to please the people or the authorities, even when it led to persecution. 

Confronting False Prophets 

Jeremiah 28:15-16 (KJV) – “¹⁵ Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The Lord hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie. ¹⁶ Therefore thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the Lord.” 

Jeremiah confronted and opposed false prophets who contradicted his message of impending judgment. He did not fear delivering such a difficult message to Hananiah. Hananiah was not sent by God, but he confused God’s people and made them trust in a lie. God told him through Jeremiah that he would die that same year because he had taught rebellion against the Lord.  

Hananiah had a chance to repent and change his ways when Jeremiah told him that. This is because God delights in mercy and He is more than willing to forgive all sins. When God warns you of a sin you are committing, repent earnestly and change your ways.  

Hananiah had falsely prophesied that God would break the yoke of Babylon and restore the vessels of the Lord’s house and the exiles from Babylon within two years (Jeremiah 28:2-4). Jeremiah initially responded by expressing hope that Hananiah’s prophecy would come true, but reminded him that the true test of a prophet is whether their prophecies come to pass (Jeremiah 28:5-9). Despite Jeremiah’s warning, Hananiah doubled down on his false prophecy. He took the yoke off Jeremiah’s neck, which Jeremiah had been wearing as a symbolic act of the coming Babylonian captivity, and broke it (Jeremiah 28:10-11). 

After Hananiah broke the yoke, the Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah again. He told Hananiah that although he had broken a wooden yoke, God would replace it with an iron yoke, symbolizing an even stronger subjugation under Babylon (Jeremiah 28:12-14). True to Jeremiah’s prophecy, Hananiah died in the seventh month of that same year (Jeremiah 28:17). 

Proclaiming God’s Sovereignty 

Jeremiah 27:6-7 (KJV) – “⁶ And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him. ⁷ And all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son’s son, until the very time of his land come: and then many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him.” 

Jeremiah proclaimed God’s sovereignty over all nations, emphasizing that God used Babylon as His instrument of judgment. God gave the Israelites to the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar. Therefore, they were taken to captivity. When you disobey God, you place yourself at the entrance of captivity. Disobeying God willingly is like taking chains and tying them on your hands. Disobedience leads to lack of freedom while obedience leads to freedom. God made all nations, including the nation of Judah, serve King Nebuchadnezzar.  

Encouraging the Exiles 

Jeremiah 29:4-7 (KJV) – “⁴ Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon; ⁵ Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; ⁶ Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. ⁷ And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.” 

Jeremiah wrote a letter to the exiles in Babylon, encouraging them to settle down, seek the welfare of the city, and trust in God’s promise of eventual return. God’s goodness caused him to give the people of Judah tips on how to be successful even while in captivity. This shows that God had not forgotten them despite them angering Him. He told them to give birth to as many children as possible and to seek the peace of the city because if the city has peace, they shall also have peace.  

Predicting Babylon’s Fall 

Jeremiah 51:60-64 (KJV) – “⁶⁰ So Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that should come upon Babylon, even all these words that are written against Babylon. ⁶¹ And Jeremiah said to Seraiah, When thou comest to Babylon, and shalt see, and shalt read all these words; ⁶² Then shalt thou say, O Lord, thou hast spoken against this place, to cut it off, that none shall remain in it, neither man nor beast, but that it shall be desolate forever. ⁶³ And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book, that thou shalt bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates: ⁶⁴ And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.” 

Jeremiah prophesied the eventual fall of Babylon, demonstrating his faith in God’s ultimate justice and sovereignty. 

The name Seraiah (שְׂרָיָה in Hebrew) means “Yahweh is Prince” or “Yahweh has prevailed.” It reflects a recognition of God’s authority and power. 

Seraiah, mentioned in Jeremiah 51:60-64, was the son of Neriah and brother of Baruch, who was Jeremiah’s scribe (Jeremiah 32:12). He held the position of quartermaster (Jeremiah 51:59), indicating a role of significant responsibility in the royal administration. His task in Babylon was part of an official mission, which underscores his trustworthiness and the high regard in which he was held. 

Jeremiah faithfully recorded all the words that God had spoken against Babylon, despite the city’s apparent power and dominance at the time. This required trust in God’s sovereignty and justice. He instructed Seraiah to read aloud the words of judgment against Babylon when he arrived there. This act of publicly proclaiming Babylon’s downfall was an expression of faith in God’s prophetic Word, trusting that God would fulfill His promise of judgment against the powerful empire. 

Jeremiah directed Seraiah to bind the written prophecy to a stone and cast it into the Euphrates River, symbolizing the complete and irreversible destruction of Babylon. This symbolic action demonstrated faith that God’s Word would come to pass just as certainly as the stone would sink and never rise again. Given Babylon’s immense power, proclaiming its destruction was an act of immense courage and boldness. Jeremiah’s faith in God’s promise allowed him to act without fear of immediate consequences from Babylonian authorities. 

Staying in Judah After the Babylonian Conquest 

Jeremiah 40:6 (KJV) – “Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and dwelt with him among the people that were left in the land.” 

After the fall of Jerusalem, Jeremiah chose to stay with the remnant in Judah rather than going to Babylon, showing his commitment to his people. 

Meaning of names 

Gedaliah (גְּדַלְיָּה) 

Meaning: The name Gedaliah means “Yahweh is great” or “Yahweh has become great.” 

Identity: Gedaliah was the son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan. He was appointed by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, as the governor over the cities of Judah after the fall of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 40:5). He was tasked with governing the remnant of the people left in the land and ensuring order and stability. 

Ahikam (אֲחִיקָם) 

Meaning: The name Ahikam means “My brother has risen” or “Brother of support.” 

Identity: Ahikam was the son of Shaphan, a scribe during the reign of King Josiah. Ahikam is known for his support of the prophet Jeremiah, having saved him from death when he was threatened by the people and the officials (Jeremiah 26:24). He was a member of a prominent and influential family in Judah. 

Mizpah (מִצְפָּה) 

Meaning: The name Mizpah means “watchtower” or “lookout.” 

Identity: Mizpah was a significant town in the territory of Benjamin, often used as a place of assembly and refuge. After the destruction of Jerusalem, Mizpah became the administrative center under Gedaliah’s governorship. 

Here we see that Jeremiah was close to the house of Shaphan as Gedalian and Ahikam were both relatives of Shaphan.  Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, was known to be supportive of Jeremiah. Given Ahikam’s previous defense of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 26:24), it is likely that Gedaliah shared his father’s supportive stance. Staying with Gedaliah would have provided Jeremiah with a measure of safety and support. 

Gedaliah was appointed by the Babylonian authorities as the governor of Judah, indicating that he was seen as a capable and trustworthy leader. His role was to bring stability to the region and oversee the remnant of the population. Jeremiah’s presence with Gedaliah would lend spiritual and moral support to this effort and help maintain order among the people. 

Jeremiah’s actions were often guided by divine instruction. His decision to stay with Gedaliah might have been influenced by God’s direction. He ensured that Jeremiah remained among the people to continue his prophetic ministry and give guidance during this transitional period. 

By staying with Gedaliah in Mizpah, Jeremiah was able to stay with the remnant of his people. Thus, he continued his mission, offering leadership, counsel and hope in a time of upheaval and uncertainty. This would have been important for maintaining the continuity of his prophetic ministry and supporting the community. 

Warning Against Going to Egypt 

Jeremiah 42:19-22 (KJV) – “¹⁹ The Lord hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah; Go ye not into Egypt: know certainly that I have admonished you this day. ²⁰ For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the Lord your God, saying, Pray for us unto the Lord our God; and according unto all that the Lord our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it. ²¹ And now I have this day declared it to you; but ye have not obeyed the voice of the Lord your God, nor any thing for the which He hath sent me unto you. ²² Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go and to sojourn.” 

After the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple in 586 BC, the Babylonian conquest left Judah in ruins. A remnant of people remained in the land, led by Gedaliah, whom the Babylonians appointed as governor. However, after Gedaliah was assassinated (Jeremiah 41:2), fear of Babylonian retribution caused the people to consider fleeing to Egypt for safety. 

The people believed that Egypt would be a safe haven from the Babylonians. Historically, Egypt had been a place of refuge and a powerful nation. However, God made it clear through Jeremiah that Egypt would not give them the protection they sought and that they would face the same calamities there. Throughout Israel’s history, reliance on Egypt had often been condemned by God. Egypt represented a place of bondage (as in the Exodus), and turning to Egypt symbolized a lack of faith in God’s protection and provision.’ 

We trust in the world and the ways of the world more than we trust in God. We trust in secular education more than we trust in God’s education. Pastor Randy Skeete often preaches about a church elder who would kick the Bible out of his son’s hands because he wanted his son to spend time studying for exams in his field. God does not mind us studying other things. For example, He did not have a problem when Daniel and his friends studied things in the Babylonian curriculum. Instead, He wants us to put His studies first.  

Genuine Christians should develop curriculums in every field that glorify God. Imagine a kindergarten or an elementary school where students are taught stories of the Bible in their language studies rather than false fairy tales. It will be a beautiful thing when children are aligned with truth from an early age. The education of the world may seem innocent but a good chunk of it is designed to pull us away from God.  

I was thinking about programming classes recently and I remembered how when we are introduced to programming, we are told to create a program that displays, “Hello World.” When you say, “Hello world,” how will the world respond? It may seem innocent, but I thought to myself that this might be a subliminal way to lead us to the teachings of the law of attraction which emphasize the universe as a supreme being and pushes us to believe that the universe has power to give us what we want to get. 

The law of attraction points us to the universe instead of pointing us to the maker of the universe. Look at a story like Robin Hood being taught in some schools. Robin Hood justifies its immoral teaching of stealing by making stealing appear noble because Robin Hood steals from the rich and gives to the poor. This encourages theft and robbery in society. It also encourages the so-called poor to be lazy. I am yet to see a kindergarten fairy tale that mentions God or Jesus because I have never seen one.  

Our schools are getting more corrupted in that there are some schools in some countries in the world that have included gay couples when teaching children about families. God wants us to be different from the world. He does not want us to embrace the ways of the world. That is why He often condemned reliance on Egypt.  

God does not want us to bend down to the world for our financial solutions either. That is why Christians are encouraged to start their own enterprises. God wants us to be the leading people in every field. If genuine Christians led in every field, the entire world would be blessed. However, that is not the case. We have allowed the people of the world to take over and by their taking over we are at their mercy. They dictate the food that we eat. They dictate what we are taught in school. They dictate the houses that we live in. They dictate our daily practices. They dictate everything.  

We have embraced a limiting theology that looks good but is indeed evil. We do not want to make great strides in our financial activities because we falsely believe that God does not want us to make much money. “I am contented with the little that I have, I need not do more.” Such a statement may sound like a noble and modest statement, but it is a selfish statement. The money one may be making might be enough to feed them and their families but not enough to feed another person. God has put us in this world to help as many people as possible, not just ourselves and our families. Therefore, it is selfish to only want to make enough money for you and your family.  

Christians have left charity work to evil entrepreneurs and organizations who foster immorality in society such as homosexuality. Other Christians have embraced a theology that they are waiting for Jesus and because they are waiting for Jesus, they need not do any money-making activity in the world. God gave human beings a commandment before sin to be fruitful, multiply, replenish the earth and subdue it (Genesis 1:28). The word subdue means to conquer.  

We are to subdue the world with every gift that God has given us, using every opportunity that God has given us. When we do that, it would be easier for more people in the world to join our faith. When we are at the mercy of people of the world, how will we persuade them to join us when we are busy begging them?  

God explicitly instructed the remnant of Judah not to go to Egypt. Jeremiah conveyed this clear command from the Lord: “The Lord hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah; Go ye not into Egypt” (Jeremiah 42:19). Disobeying this direct command would be an act of rebellion against God’s will. 

The people of Judah had approached Jeremiah, asking him to seek God’s guidance for them, promising to obey whatever the Lord said. However, God revealed to Jeremiah that they were insincere in their request. They had already decided in their hearts to go to Egypt, regardless of God’s answer: “For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the Lord your God, saying, Pray for us unto the Lord our God; and according unto all that the Lord our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it” (Jeremiah 42:20).  

Some people love forcing their own answers to be God’s answers. When they pray, they do not fully yield to God’s will. They yield to their own will and try to force God to yield to that will. It is like those people who ask questions with an answer already in their minds. They do not want to gain new knowledge. They want to confirm their old beliefs and feel a sense of being right.  

God wants us to go to Him with humility and sincerity. When we ask Him to show us the way, we should be willing to follow the way that He directs. We cannot go to God and tell Him to show us the way while we have decided in our hearts to follow our own ways, no matter the direction that He gives.  

Jeremiah warned the remnant in Judah against fleeing to Egypt, insisting they should trust in God’s protection in the land He had given them. Jeremiah warned that if they went to Egypt, they would face severe consequences, including death by the sword, famine, and pestilence: “Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go and to sojourn” (Jeremiah 42:22). This warning indicated that seeking refuge in Egypt would not bring safety but destruction. 

It is God who protects and not a person. It is God who protects and not a place. The Israelites trusted in the land of Egypt more than they trusted in God. Trusting in anything or anyone more than God brings a curse on that person (Jeremiah 17:5).  

Prophesying in Egypt 

Jeremiah 43:8-11 (KJV) – “⁸ Then came the Word of the Lord unto Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying, ⁹ Take great stones in thine hand, and hide them in the clay in the brickkiln, which is at the entry of Pharaoh’s house in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the men of Judah; ¹⁰ And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them. ¹¹ And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt, and deliver such as are for death to death; and such as are for captivity to captivity; and such as are for the sword to the sword.” 

Egypt was both a place of refuge and a political player in the region. Many from Judah sought refuge in Egypt after the Babylonian conquest, hoping to escape Nebuchadnezzar’s reach. The remnant of Judah disobeyed God’s command by going to Egypt. God had explicitly told them not to go to Egypt, but they ignored this command and sought refuge there, trusting in Egypt’s strength rather than in God’s protection (Jeremiah 42:19-22). 

The name Tahpanhes (תַּחְפַּנְחֵס in Hebrew) is derived from the Egyptian name Daphnae, which was a city on the eastern border of Egypt. It means “fortress” or “stronghold.” In the Greek context, it is known as Daphnae. Despite the remnant of Judah’s disobedience and decision to flee to Egypt against God’s instruction, Jeremiah remained obedient to God’s commands. Jeremiah continued to prophesy God’s judgment against them for their disobedience even when he was forcibly taken to Egypt. 

When God instructed him to take the stones and hide them in the clay at the entrance of Pharaoh’s house, Jeremiah complied without hesitation (Jeremiah 43:9). Jeremiah’s actions were performed “in the sight of the men of Judah” (Jeremiah 43:9), making his prophecy a public declaration. This bold public act of hiding the stones symbolized the future establishment of Nebuchadnezzar’s throne in Egypt, a daunting task given the political and social context. 

Proclaiming that Nebuchadnezzar, the enemy of Judah, would invade and conquer Egypt was an unpopular and dangerous message. Yet, Jeremiah faithfully delivered God’s words, showing his unwavering commitment to God’s truth regardless of the personal risk involved. Jeremiah trusted that God’s plans would be fulfilled even when they seemed improbable. Predicting the Babylonian conquest of Egypt required faith in God’s ultimate control over nations and events, especially since Egypt appeared to be a powerful and secure refuge at that time. 

Predicting the Destruction of Egypt 

Jeremiah 44:27-28 (KJV) – “²⁷ Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them. ²⁸ Yet a small number that escape the sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah, and all the remnant of Judah, that are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall know whose words shall stand, Mine, or theirs.” 

Jeremiah predicted the destruction of Egypt by Babylon, maintaining his role as God’s prophet even in a foreign land. He predicted that all the men of Judah would be consumed by the sword and by the famine. A few of them would escape the sword and go to the land of Judah from the land of Egypt. All the remnant of Judah that went to the land of Egypt would know whose word stands, God’s or theirs. God’s Word stands firm. God’s Word created and sustains the world. It is God alone who knows what will befall a nation. We should not trust nations because of how prosperous and stable they seem. We should trust in God.  

Jeremiah’s Death  

The Bible does not provide specific details about the death of Jeremiah. According to tradition and historical accounts, there are different views regarding his death: 

1. Jewish Tradition: Some Jewish traditions suggest that Jeremiah was stoned to death by his own people in Egypt because they were angered by his prophecies against them. 

2. Christian Tradition: Some early Christian writers, such as Tertullian and Jerome, also hold that Jeremiah was martyred in Egypt. 

While the exact circumstances of Jeremiah’s death remain uncertain, what is clear is his unwavering faith and dedication to God’s mission until the end of his life. 

Jeremiah’s ministry was marked by extraordinary acts of faith, including accepting God’s call despite personal reluctance, delivering unpopular messages, enduring persecution and imprisonment, writing God’s words on a scroll, buying a field as a sign of hope, interceding for the people, and continuing to prophesy even when forcibly taken to Egypt. His life and actions exemplify steadfast faith, courage, and obedience to God in the face of overwhelming adversity. Jeremiah’s prophetic ministry left a lasting legacy, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness, repentance, and hope in God’s promises. 

GOD BLESS YOU! 

Prayer 

Dear God, I thank You for the lessons that I’ve learned from Prophet Jeremiah. Help me to have the heart to empathize with other people. You are the potter and I’m the clay. So, mold me like clay and make me perfect just as You are perfect. Give me the heart to endure persecution and opposition for Your name’s sake. I ask You to increase my level of patience. I pray that You bless my family, friends, enemies, and other people as well in my country. Please help me to never lose hope in You. Oh, Lord, You are the most sovereign and You are worthy to receive praise and honor. In Jesus name, Amen.  

Activity 

1. Make a daily prayer for God to help you overcome opposition. 

2. Ask various people for their prayer requests. Write them down and pray for them daily.  

3. Spend time in quiet reflection or in group discussion about areas in life where trust in God is needed. 

4. Identify hopes, fears, or areas requiring perseverance, aligning them with Jeremiah’s themes. 

5. On slips of paper, write personal prayers, commitments to trust God, or hopeful outcomes you are asking Him to fulfill. 

6. Look for Bible verses from the Book of Jeremiah that can give you encouragement.  

7. Prayerfully find out how and where you can volunteer to serve others.  

Author: Mark Alex   

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