(1) Book Information

1.1 Title and Definition
• Title: Jeremiah – named after the prophet Jeremiah (Yirmeyahu in Hebrew), meaning “The LORD exalts” or “The LORD establishes.”
• Definition: A prophetic book recounting the life, messages, laments, and visions of the prophet Jeremiah, who warned Judah of coming judgement while announcing future hope through a new covenant.

1.2 Authorship and Context
• Author: Traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, with his scribe Baruch (Jer. 36:4) playing a key role in recording and compiling the messages.
• When: Written and compiled between c. 626 and c. 580 BC, spanning the final decades of the Kingdom of Judah, the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC, and the early years of exile.
• Audience: Primarily the people of Judah—its kings, priests, and citizens—before and after the Babylonian conquest; also addresses foreign nations.
• Purpose: To call Judah to repentance, warn of imminent exile due to covenantal unfaithfulness, and proclaim divine judgement tempered with future hope through restoration and a promised new covenant.

1.3 Literary and Thematic Features
• Literary and Rhetorical Features: Poetic oracles, prose sermons, laments, confessions, symbolic acts, visions, historical narratives, and covenantal language; rich in repetition and prophetic parallelism.
• Key Themes: Covenant faithfulness, divine judgement, repentance, idolatry, lament, prophetic calling, national disaster, and hope for renewal.
• Themes of Redemption and Christology
○ The prophecy of the new covenant (Jer. 31:31–34) is fulfilled in Christ’s redemptive work (Heb. 8:6–13).
○ Jeremiah’s weeping intercession foreshadows Christ’s sorrow over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41).
○ The righteous Branch (Jer. 23:5–6) prefigures the messianic King and Saviour.
• Symbolism and Imagery
○ The potter and the clay (Jer. 18) symbolise God’s sovereign shaping of nations.
○ The broken yoke and baskets of figs illustrate divine judgement and hope.
○ Waterless cisterns and idols represent spiritual abandonment.

1.4 Canonical and Interconnected Significance
• Structure: Comprises 52 chapters arranged thematically and chronologically, including oracles against Judah and foreign nations, narratives of Jeremiah’s life, laments, and promises of restoration.
• Canonical Significance: One of the Major Prophets; foundational for understanding the fall of Jerusalem, the theology of judgement and hope, and the promise of a new covenant.
• Interconnections
○ Related Books: Closely linked to 2 Kings, Lamentations (traditionally attributed to Jeremiah), Ezekiel, and Daniel.
○ Connections to the Old Testament: Builds upon Mosaic covenant theology, echoes Deuteronomy’s blessings and curses, and anticipates restoration through a Davidic king.
○ Connections to the New Testament: The new covenant is directly applied to Christ’s atoning work; Jeremiah’s themes of internalised law and Spirit-led obedience shape Pauline theology.
○ Prophetic and Messianic References: The Branch (Jer. 23:5), the new covenant (Jer. 31:31), and the return from exile point to Christ’s kingdom and redemption.
○ Connections with Judaism: A central prophet in Jewish tradition; his warnings and hope continue to inform themes of repentance and messianic expectation.
○ Connections with Islam: Jeremiah is acknowledged in Islamic tradition as a prophet, particularly regarding the fall of Jerusalem and the exile.
• Key Passages or Verses: Jer. 1:5 – “Before I formed you… I appointed you as a prophet.” Jer. 17:9 – “The heart is deceitful above all things.” Jer. 23:5 – “I will raise up for David a righteous Branch.” Jer. 31:33 – “I will put my law in their minds.”

(2) Characters

2.1 Main Figures and Their Roles
• Role of Authors: Jeremiah proclaims God’s word amidst national crisis, while Baruch faithfully records and preserves his prophecies.
• Who are the Main Characters: Jeremiah, Baruch, King Josiah, King Jehoiakim, King Zedekiah, the people of Judah, Babylonian leaders (e.g. Nebuchadnezzar), priests, false prophets, and the remnant.

2.2 Roles in Theological Framework
• The Role of God
○ The Father – Judge of nations, covenant enforcer, and compassionate Redeemer.
○ The Son – Foreshadowed in the righteous Branch, suffering prophet, and mediator of the new covenant.
○ The Holy Spirit – Implied in the inner transformation promised through the new covenant (Jer. 31:33).
• The Role of Priests, Prophets, and Kings: Corrupt priests and kings are condemned; true prophecy contrasts with false assurances of peace; Jeremiah embodies the true prophetic office.
• Role of the Church: Jeremiah’s ministry prefigures the Church’s call to truth, repentance, and proclamation of Christ’s new covenant.
• Role of Men and Women: Addresses all people of Judah; includes strong critiques of both male and female leadership and communal apostasy.

3) Background

3.1 Geographical, Historical, and Cultural Context
• Geographical Context: Judah, Jerusalem, Anathoth (Jeremiah’s hometown), and Babylon; oracles also address Egypt, Moab, Ammon, Edom, and other nations.
• Historical Context: Set during the final decline of Judah, marked by political instability, idolatry, and foreign threats; concludes with the Babylonian exile.
• Cultural Context: A society in religious and moral decay, with misplaced trust in the temple, political alliances, and idolatrous practices.

3.2 Broader Context and Practices

1. Broader Context of the Ancient Near East: Neo-Babylonian expansion, Egyptian rivalry, and Assyrian collapse form the political backdrop; prophets often challenged the status quo.
2. Influence of Israel’s Neighbours: Syncretistic worship, political alliances, and moral compromise reflected regional cultural influences.
3. Cultural and Ethical Influences: Jeremiah denounced popular religion, unjust governance, false prophecy, and spiritual complacency.
4. Cultural Practices
   ○ Temple rituals corrupted by idolatry,
   ○ Symbolic acts used to convey divine messages,
   ○ Use of scrolls and scribes in prophetic ministry.

(4) Theological and Historical Significance

1. The Book as a Theological Bridge: Connects pre-exilic covenant failure with post-exilic promise; bridges Deuteronomy’s covenant and the New Testament’s fulfilment in Christ.
2. Theological Significance: Highlights the holiness and justice of God, the reality of sin, the need for true repentance, and the gracious promise of inward transformation.
3. Spiritual Themes: Calling, perseverance, lament, faithfulness amidst rejection, divine sovereignty, justice, judgement, and future restoration.
4. Key Lessons for Faith and Practice: Faithfulness may entail suffering. True prophets speak uncomfortable truth. Repentance precedes restoration. God’s law must dwell in the heart.
5. The Book in Christian Theology: Central to the understanding of the new covenant, spiritual regeneration, and the prophetic mission of the Church.
6. Historical Reception: Revered as a major prophet in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions; used in liturgy, preaching, and theological reflection on suffering and hope.

(5) Interfaith and Cultural Perspectives

1. Literary Unity with the Torah (or Canon): Deeply rooted in Deuteronomic covenant theology; reinforces the blessings and curses of the Torah through prophetic application.
2. The Book in Jewish Tradition: Recited during the Fast of Tammuz and Tisha B’Av; Jeremiah’s laments and warnings are central to Jewish reflection on the destruction of the Temple.
3. Connections with Islam: Jeremiah is regarded as a prophet by some Islamic scholars, particularly in connection with the exile; aligns with Qur’anic themes of judgement and repentance.
4. Influence on Western Civilisation: Influential in resistance movements, reform theology, and reflections on national morality and divine justice.
5. Scientific Perspectives: Historical data align with archaeological evidence from Babylonian campaigns; linguistics and manuscript studies confirm the book’s complexity.
6. Global Perspective: Speaks powerfully in contexts of political failure, social injustice, and spiritual decline; offers hope for renewal through covenantal grace.

(6) Ethical, Practical, and Philosophical Insights

1. Mystical and Esoteric Interpretations: Jeremiah’s inner wrestling and divine calling have been interpreted mystically as a journey of the soul under divine discipline.
2. Comparative Mythology: Unlike mythological tales, Jeremiah presents real historical judgement and divine justice with moral urgency.
3. Ethical and Philosophical Reflections: Raises questions about free will, national responsibility, divine justice, suffering, and prophetic vocation.
4. Ethical Teachings and Practical Applications
   ○ Stand for truth even when alone,
   ○ Avoid false security in religious ritual,
   ○ Embrace God’s call with courage,
   ○ Trust in God’s promise of inward renewal.
5. Relevance to Contemporary Issues and Ongoing Relevance: Speaks to religious hypocrisy, political corruption, prophetic integrity, and the transformative power of the new covenant.

(7) Interpretative and Theological Challenges

1. Interpretative Challenges: Complexity in chronological arrangement, distinguishing poetic from narrative, and understanding symbolic actions.
2. Theological Debates: Tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility, the permanence of the covenant, and the nature of the new heart.
3. Key Questions Addressed: How does God judge nations? What is true repentance? What makes a prophet authentic? How is the heart transformed under the new covenant?