Jeremiah the Suffering Prophet - his Communication of Judgment and Promise of Blessings

Abstract

The Book of Jeremiah is the second of the Prophets in the Christian Old Testament. The prophet Jeremiah witnessed first-hand, a nation struggling to survive. Jeremiah comes through plainly as a person contemplating his role as a servant of Yahweh with scant good news for his people. Jeremiah's heart-rending message is communicated by both his prophecies and account of Jerusalem's destruction. Jeremiah’s prophecies are unambiguous and pessimistic and aimed at rebuking people who had become idolatrous and debauched. Yahweh appointed Jeremiah to proclaim the destruction and building of a nation that would ultimately lead to His Kingdom. He thus also offers his people hope and his prophetic warnings are also promises that returning to Yahweh will lead the people to divine blessings and he states that Yahweh will eventually honour his pledge with the Jews. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11). For forty years Jeremiah preached to the unrepented Judah and Israel. Jeremiah used verbal communication to challenge the religious hypocrisy, economic dishonesty, and oppressive practice of Judah leaders and those who followed them. The article concludes that Jeremiah’s experiences prepared him and put him in good state to comprehend resources which Yahweh provides. He fought throughout his life and he attained lofty spiritual levels demonstrating his piety. His prophetic career coincided with the last years of Judah’s independence before it was overrun by the Babylonians. Jeremiah prophesied that Yahweh would make a covenant with Israel, superseding the old Mosaic Covenant; Yahweh would then write his law on the hearts of men rather than on stone tablets and they would all come to know Him directly and receive his compassion and forgiveness. Jeremiah was an effective prophet who could clearly communicate his vision based on Yahweh’s wishes, and he provided constructive feedback to people, and strongly stated what people needed to do. This brief study primarily employs a literature study, and a biblical-theological approach to interpreting the book of Jeremiah is also integrated. His communication strategy is also unpacked as it ensured that the people had suitable information about Yahweh’ wishes, towards maintaining close steadiness in their lives and preventing any ambiguity as to the outcome of iniquity and also Yahweh’s promises to a faithful people.