The Book of Jeremiah

This prophetic book reveals that Jeremiah often called "the weeping prophet", was a man with a harsh message but a sensitive spirit and a broken heart. His godly spirit made his suffering more intense as his family and friends, priests and kings and the people of Judah all rejected God's message. Unstopped by the extreme opposition, he faithfully carried out his God-given message to warn his fellow citizens that judgment was near. In all of Scripture, there is no better example of a godly minister who served faithfully for so long though he seemed to experience no positive response to his message. Yet Jeremiah's bold ministry fulfilled God's purpose.


Seven major features characterize the book of Jeremiah. 1. It is the second longest book in the Bible, containing more word than any other book except the Psalms. 2. The personal struggles and persecution of Jeremiah are revealed in greater detail than those of any other Old Testament prophet. 3. The book is filled with sadness, heartache and tears over Judah's rebellion. Though he felt deep compassion, grief and brokenness for God's people, Jeremiah delivered his harsh messages. Yet his greatest loyalty was to God, and his deepest pain came from how the nation's rebellion hurt God. 4. The books key words include "back-sliding", and "unfaithful". The recurring theme is God's inescapable judgment for spiritual rebellion and unfaithfulness. 5. The single greatest revelation in Jeremiah is the concept of the "new covenant", which God would establish with his faithful people in the future. 6. Jeremiah's poetry is as eloquent and emotional as any in the Bible, using many strong metaphors, vivid phrases and memorable descriptions. 7. There are more references to the nation of Babylon in Jeremiah's prophecies than in the rest of the Bible.


The main references to Jeremiah in the New Testament have to do with his prophecy of a "new covenant". Throughout their history, the nations of Israel and Judah repeatedly broke God's covenants. As a result, God broke these rebellious nations with His judgments. Jeremiah prophesied about a time when God would make a new covenant with them. The New Testament makes it clear that this new covenant was put into effect by the death and resurrection of Christ and now is being fulfilled by His faithful church. The new covenant will reach its climax in the great end-time salvation of Israel.