Jeremiah 18-22
Common Theme
God warns Judah that He holds sovereign power over nations and individuals, shaping and reshaping them like a potter with clay. Persistent rebellion, however, leads to certain judgment when they refuse to turn from their evil ways.
Questions
- How does recognizing God’s sovereignty over our lives change how we respond to His warnings?
- What does this passage reveal about the seriousness of ignoring God’s call to repent?
God Shot
God is the Master Potter who shapes nations and lives according to His will. His justice is unwavering, yet His desire is to mold His people into vessels of honor if they will only yield to His hands.
Deeper
Jeremiah 18–19
Jeremiah 18:1–19:15 presents a narrative of Jeremiah’s symbolic acts, emphasizing God’s sovereignty and the potential for repentance. In 18:1–17, Jeremiah visits a potter’s workshop, illustrating that just as a potter can shape and reshape clay, God has the authority to mold Israel. The passage highlights a two-way relationship: if a nation repents, God can reverse judgment; if it acts faithlessly, blessings can be revoked. Despite this, the people stubbornly refuse to change, leading to God’s lament over their idolatry.
In 18:18–23, Jeremiah faces opposition and prays for divine retribution against his enemies, wishing their evil intentions to backfire. The narrative continues in 19:1–13, where God instructs Jeremiah to break an earthenware jar in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, symbolizing irrevocable judgment due to the people’s sins, including child sacrifice. This act signifies that Judah’s fate is sealed, as the valley becomes known as “The Valley of Slaughter.”
Finally, in 19:14–15, Jeremiah proclaims impending disaster in the temple courtyard, linking the defilement of Topheth with the temple’s sanctity. The text concludes with an application, urging trust in God’s purpose and the hope for future reshaping, drawing parallels to historical events like the fall of Soviet domination in Eastern Europe, illustrating God’s ongoing role in history.
Jeremiah 20
Jeremiah 20:1–18 depicts the prophet Jeremiah’s persecution by Pashhur, a chief officer at the temple, representing the religious establishment. Pashhur, part of a group that consistently opposes Jeremiah, symbolizes God’s judgment against the prophet through the priests. After being mistreated, Jeremiah renames Pashhur “Terror on Every Side,” reflecting the impending doom for Judah. Jeremiah accuses Pashhur of false prophecies and predicts his captivity in Babylon. The prophet expresses deep frustration, feeling deceived by God and overwhelmed by his suffering, while his enemies mock him. Despite this, he acknowledges God’s strength and justice, believing that his persecutors will ultimately fail. Jeremiah laments his birth, paralleling Job’s suffering, and his emotional turmoil reveals the burdens of prophetic duty. The text highlights Jeremiah’s human limitations and the insidious opposition to God’s word, illustrating the cost of discipleship and God’s enduring faithfulness, even amidst personal anguish and frustration.
Jeremiah 21-22
In Jeremiah 21:1–10, King Zedekiah seeks Jeremiah’s intercession as the Babylonian army besieges Jerusalem around 588 BC. Pashhur and Zephaniah approach Jeremiah, who conveys God’s judgment against Judah for its wickedness, emphasizing that God will not fight Babylon but will judge Jerusalem. The text highlights the certainty of the city’s fall, with God determined to enact this judgment. Jeremiah presents a choice between life and death, indicating that those who remain in the city will perish, while those who surrender to Babylon may survive. The absence of a call for repentance underscores God’s alignment with Babylon in this moment of judgment.
Jeremiah 21:11–22:30 discusses the responsibilities of the royal house of David, emphasizing the need for justice and protection for the oppressed. In 21:12, Jeremiah instructs the rulers to administer justice daily, paralleling Micah’s critique of societal injustices. The text highlights the significance of the royal palace’s location and its gates, indicating the intersection of state and religious duties. The shedding of “innocent blood” is a critical concern, as it implicates the entire community in the need for atonement.
The passage addresses three kings: Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, and Jehoiachin. Jehoahaz’s brief reign ends in exile, prompting mourning, while Jehoiakim is condemned for his unrighteousness and arrogance, contrasting sharply with his father Josiah, who is praised for his righteousness and care for the needy. Jehoiakim’s fate is grim; he will not be mourned or properly buried. Jehoiachin faces exile as well, with his lineage deemed childless despite having descendants, as they will not rule.
The application emphasizes that knowing God involves a commitment to justice and righteousness, reflecting one’s relationship with Him in positions of responsibility.
*Deeper excerpt from NIV Application Commentary, One-Volume Edition.