Jeremiah - Lesson 1

Introduction

Jeremiah’s Time Frame

640 Josiah becomes king of Judah - the last godly king

628 Josiah began to purge Judah in his 12th year

627 Lord first spoke to Jeremiah in 13th year of Josiah. Jeremiah 1-6 under Josiah's reign

622 In 18th year of Josiah Book of the Law found in House of God! (2Ki 22:8)

612 Nineveh the capital of Assyria was sacked.

609 King Josiah killed at Megiddo by Neco of Egypt, who was fighting to bolster Assyria (2Ki 23:29-30).

609 King Jehoahaz ruled Judah 3 months, deposed by Neco, taken to Egypt in chains (2Ki 23:32-33; cf Jer. 22:10).

609-598 King Jehoiakim reigned over Judah as an Egyptian vassal (Jer 22:13-17).

605 Battle of Carchemish. Nebuchadnezzar defeated Egyptian forces (Jer 46:2). "Turning point in world history"

605 First deportation of Jews to Babylon - Daniel in this group (2Ki 24:1).601 Jehoiakim sided with Egypt against Jeremiah's warnings (Jer. 22:13-19).

597 2nd Babylonian invasion takes Jerusalem, deports Ezekiel & 10,000; Zedekiah replaces Jehoiachin (2Ki 24:17)

592 Ezekiel begins his prophetic ministry (some 35 years after Jeremiah had begun his)

586 Fall of Jerusalem (Jer 39:1-18). Gedaliah appointed governor of Judah (2Ki 25:22-26). Jeremiah taken to Egypt.

538 Babylon falls to the Medes and Persians

Sidlow Baxter sums up Jeremiah into two phrases

I will punish - Jeremiah 9:25 “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, That I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised;”

I will restore - Jeremiah 26:12–13 “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. 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.”