Lesson
41
“I Have Made Thee This Day … an Iron Pillar”
Jeremiah
1–2; 15; 20; 26; 36–38.
Quote: President Monson
“As we seek our Heavenly Father
through fervent, sincere prayer and earnest, dedicated scripture study, our
testimonies will become strong and deeply rooted. We will know of God’s love
for us. We will understand that we do not ever walk alone. I promise you that
you will one day stand aside and look at your difficult times, and you will
realize that He was always there beside you.”[1]
Background—In between Isaiah and
Jeremiah the Babylonians in 612BC defeated the Assyrians and Egypt and Judah
tried to assert independence and were defeated by the Babylonians. In 598/7BC
Judah decided to rebel again. The temple was eventually destroyed and most inhabitants
were taken to Babylon and Zedekiah was established as the puppet king. Lehi and
his family had stayed behind, not deported. 2 Chron 36—prophets were reviled.
In 589 when Lehi had left, Babylon sieged again for 18 months. Some Jews were
taken or escaped to Egypt. But Egypt and Babylon come together to destroy
Judah.
Jeremiah is the son of the priest of Anathoth in Benjamin—a few miles
away from Jerusalem. Prophet called at age 19 in reign of King Josiah. Ministry
lasted 40 years until he and Baruch were taken to Egypt. Whereas Isaiah
prophesies of a future he mostly didn’t see, Jeremiah prophesies of things that
happened in his lifetime. Destruction is one of the most significant in
Israelite history—losing their community/culture/memory of their past/religious
observances. So restoration promises are immense. 1 Ne 5:13 mentions some of
Jeremiah’s prophecies; they must therefore be on the brass plates. Jeremiah is
both a prophet and a priest.
1:4–5—idea of a premortal existence never explained in the Old Testament
“Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying ‘Before I formed
thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I
sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.’” Sancitified is set apart—Alma 13:10–12:
“and it was on account of their exceeding faith and repentance, and their
righteousness before God, they choosing to repent and work righteousness rather
than to perish; Therefore they were called after this holy order, and were
sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb.
Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made
white, being pure and spotless before God, could not look upon sin save it were
with abhorrence; and there were many, exceedingly great many, who were made
pure and entered into the rest of the Lord their God.” Question—how does know we are set apart/sanctified for our callings
frame the way we behave? Does it at all?
1:6—“Behold I cannot speak for I am a child” evokes Moses and Enoch
equally unsure in their calling, but he was comparatively young. “Be not afraid
of their faces.” Contrasts with Jeremiah telling Zedekiah what to do, and
Zedekiah is afraid of the people (see 38:4–5).
1:11–12—example of the Lord showing a vision to Jeremiah. Almond tree—shaket vs watch over shoket. Like the Book of Mormon a vision
is given with an interpretation.
2:13—fountain of living waters—broken cisterns. Not only given up on Him
but created their own false gods—broken cisterns (plaster breaks easily). [Jeremiah
is cast into a broken cistern later on but water has gone out and there is just
mud].
27–28—Thou art my father to wood, brought me forth to stone! Every town
has his own god.
Question: why do you think there are
so many references to living waters, bread of life, and false idols in the OT?
34–35—blood of the poor innocents—your guilt is visible everywhere. “I
am innocent.” Reject message because they feel they have done nothing wrong—“Is
it I?”
President Uchtdorf, “none of us likes to admit when we are drifting off
the right course. Often we try to avoid looking deeply into our souls and
confronting our weaknesses, limitations, and fears. Consequently, when we do
examine our lives, we look through the filter of biases, excuses, and stories
we tell ourselves in order to justify unworthy thoughts and actions. But being
able to see ourselves clearly is essential to our spiritual growth and
well-being. If our weaknesses and shortcomings remain obscured in the shadows,
then the redeeming power of the Savior cannot heal them and make them strengths.
Ironically, our blindness toward our human weaknesses will also make us blind
to the divine potential that our Father yearns to nurture within each of us.”[2]
Jeremiah 20
20:1–6—Pashur has Jeremiah beaten and put in the stocks to stop him
prophesying. Jeremiah prophesies disaster as a result of this action, but he
does not delight in it.
7–9 Jeremiah’s complains—deceives
can be translated “enticed” or “coerced.” But word as a burning fire—couldn’t
hold it in. Even though he didn’t want to prophesy, the spirit overcame him. He
know what is going to happen but takes no joy in being right.
Jeremiah 26
26:9 “Why hast thou prophesied.” Cf. Abinadi—accusing him of treason.
Elder Holland, “Sadly enough, my young friends, it is a characteristic
of our age that if people want any gods at all, they want them to be gods who
do not demand much, comfortable gods, smooth gods who not only don’t rock the
boat but don’t even row it, gods who pat us on the head, make us giggle, then
tell us to run along and pick marigolds.”[3]
Shiloh is cultic center of
Northern Kingdom/Israel that has just been wiped off the earth.
Vs 15: “But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall
surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the
inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the Lord hath sent me unto you to speak all
these words in your ears.” Apparently only the prophets are innocent but the
people don’t count martying them as something needing repentance.
Vs 20—Urijah (lost prophets) martyred at the same time as Jeremiah
prophesied.
Jeremiah 36
Jeremiah is banned from the temple, even though he is a priest, so he
dictates all his prophecies to Baruch, twice, adding to the second version
after the first one is destroyed. Similar parallel to Abinadi prophesying that
what happens to him will happen to them. Burning books is not new, but you
don’t burn ideas. Especially those that are divinely inspired.
Jeremiah 37
First year of the reign of King Zedekiah. He is asking Jeremiah to pray for
help. Egypt has been there forever (late New Kingdom) and is the great power of
the day. Cultural interchange between Judah and Egypt (see Lehi’s writings).
Jeremiah tells them not to trust Egypt. “Then Pharaoh’s army was come forth out
of Egypt: and when the Chaldeans that besieged Jerusalem heard tidings of them,
they departed from Jerusalem. Then came the word of the Lord unto the prophet
Jeremiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say to
the king of Judah, that sent you unto me to inquire of me; Behold, Pharaoh’s
army, which is come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into their own
land. And the Chaldeans shall come again, and fight against this city, and take
it, and burn it with fire.” Question
Do we ignore divine instruction that comes in
General Conference for instance when it seems unlikely?
1 Ne 7:14 talks about Jeremiah being cast into prison—pretty much
simultaneous. Prophets were in danger which is why Nephi takes Zoram with him,
so Laban’s people wouldn’t know to come after him and his brethren.
Jeremiah 38
Jeremiah’s prophecies fulflled—Babylonian invasion and capture of
Jerusalem.
Vs.5 Zedekiah recognizes that he has no power.
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