WISDOM AND PROPHETS 159
Jeremiah
The Prophet Jeremiah was
the last prophet that God
sent to preach to the southern
kingdom, home to the tribes
of Benjamin and Judah. God
had repeatedly warned the
Israelites to cease their
idolatrous worship and evil
deeds, but his preaching had
been continually ignored. With
the 12 tribes split, and the 10
northern tribes lost among
the Assyrians, God's decision
to appoint Jeremiah as His
prophet constituted His final
attempt to bring the errant
southern tribes back into His
fold. Jeremiah was around
17 years old when God called
upon him. Privy to God’s
most terrible plans for his
compatriots, he cried tears of
sadness, because not only did
he know what was going to
happen to the Israelites, he
was unable to convince them
of his knowledge. Although
he preached for 40 years,
often entirely unaided, he was
unable to change or soften the
stubborn hearts and minds of
the Israelite people. In the face
of great hardships, Jeremiah's
legacy lies in the courage he
showed by teaching the word
of God despite the significant
aversion to His message.have listened to him and repented
of their wrongdoing. They also ask
his advice for where to go next.
However, when he tells them “Do
not go to Egypt” (42:19), Jeremiah
is once more maligned by the people
he is trying to save: he is branded
a liar and taken to Egypt with the
Israelites, where he dies soon
afterward. Some extra-biblical
sources suggest that he was stoned
to death by his angry countrymen.A new covenant
Not all of the Book of Jeremiah
prophesies misery and despair.
Chapters 29–31 strike a fresh tone
of positivity. In a letter to those
exiled in Babylon, God speaksthrough Jeremiah, telling him
he will bring them back after 70
years and promising them a new
covenant. This covenant will
succeed because God will put it in
their mind, “write it on their hearts”
and “forgive their wickedness and
will remember their sins no more”
(Jeremiah 31:33–34).
This prophecy at the heart
of the Book of Jeremiah gave the
Jewish people great hope after
the fall of Jerusalem in 586 bce.
Early Christians often applied
the prophecy to Jesus. His death
on the cross was seen to herald
the promised new covenant, as
it showed God’s forgiveness of
their sins (Luke 22:20). ■Moses says: “... I have
never been eloquent...
I am slow of speech and
tongue” (Exodus 4:10).... but God reassures
Moses ... “I will help you
speak and will teach you
what to say” (Exodus 3:12).Jeremiah says: “I do not
know how to speak;
I am too young”
(Jeremiah 1:6).... but God reassures
Jeremiah ... “Stand up and
say to them whatever
I command you”
(Jeremiah 1:17).Like Moses, Jeremiah initially rejects God's call to prophesy.Despite their initial reluctance, neither
of the prophets can resist God's purpose.US_156-159_Jeremiah.indd 159 27/09/17 5:58 pm