OT Characters: Jeremiah

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.Hebrew words:Yirmeyah or Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah)145x in the O.T.  Note: 5 additional Jeremiahs in the O.T.Barukh (Baruch) --  Blessed. Jeremiah’s assistant. 23x in the O.T.Further study:Jeremiah 1:1-3,6-9,17-19; 6:10-16; 7:1-5; 23:25-26.Passages on Baruch in Jeremiah 32, 36, 43, 45.Opposition to Jeremiah 36, 37, 38, 39.His questioning of God’s justice (Jeremiah 12:1ff)—yet delivering the message all the same (Jeremiah 20:7-9).Weeping in Jeremiah: 9:1,10,18, 13:17, 14:17 (also 22:10, 25:34, 31:9,15-16, 41:6, 48:5,31-32, 50:4, Lamentations 1:2,16, 2:18, 3:48);  cp. Psalm 119:136.See the fascinating and well-done teach series by Andrew Kitchen. Click here.Advanced:For an interesting follow-on study, check out Lamentations: Who Will Weep With Me?Do you know the meaning of the word jeremiad? If not, click here.Some things we learn about God:He is with us when we take a stand and speak out -- for his cause and righteousness.Intellectual and emotional honesty, even when they entail negative thoughts, never stopped people from being used by God. In fact, the Lord will use us all the more when we are truthful.His prophets will be opposed by the world’s prophets. The fact that worldly prophets are in the majority in no way alters the truths of God’s word.He wants us to stand for the truth no matter what.Jeremiah did so for 40 years.The people ultimately rejected his message, and disaster fell on Jerusalem and Judah.If we read this high-impact book of prophecy, and breathe deeply its eternal principles, we too can be used by God.For kids: See the lessons on Jeremiah at Bible Study Planet.Key verses:Jeremiah 1:5 – Called by God to take his word to the nations.Jeremiah 12:1ff – Questions God’s justice (also 20:7-9).Jeremiah 15:16 – Jeremiah accepted and rejoiced in the words of God.Jeremiah 36 – Jeremiah sends the word to king Jehoiakim, even though the hard-hearted monarch is unwilling to listen.Jeremiah 38 – Thrown into a cistern.Next lesson: Ezekiel