The Book of Jeremiah

Lesson 15

Jeremiah 29 – 30

Introduction

God told Jeremiah to wear a yoke around his neck, symbolizing that Israel and the nations around Israel would serve Babylon. Those who served Babylon would prosper; those who did not would become a desolation. This was not a popular message and many rebuked Jeremiah. Hananiah, himself a prophet, went so far as to take the yoke off of Jeremiah and break it; and he told the people that they would not serve Babylon, and that within 2yrs everything would be restored. God said the because of Hananiah, the yoke that was of wood would now be iron; and within 7 months, Hananiah died.

I. How does Jeremiah confront lies?

a) Let’s remember that in 16:2, God told Jeremiah not to marry or have children “…in this place,” meaning Jerusalem because God promised to throw them out of the land (16:13). Now, Jeremiah writes a letter to the 1st group of exiles who went into Babylon (29:4). In the letter, the Lord tells the people to build houses and gardens, to marry and have children. “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare (29:7).”

b) Then the letter continues: “For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let the prophets and the diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, says the LORD (29:8-9).” Not just Israel, but God controls all nations.

c) Jeremiah’s letter to the exiles acknowledges that there are “prophets and diviners” who are saying things that would deceive the people, but the Lord by Jeremiah’s letter warns them not to listen to the prophets because they prophesy a lie. The Lord says, “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope (29:11).”

d) Also, 2 other persons, Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah were also prophesying falsely. God delivered them into Nebuchadnezzar’s hands, and they were killed and their names became a curse in the land (29:21-23).

II. Who is Shemaiah and what does he do?

a) Shemaiah was a prophet who was in Babylon and either received or heard Jeremiah’s letter to the exiles. Upon hearing the letter, he wrote a letter in response to Zephaniah and Maaseiah who were priests in Jerusalem saying they had the authority to “control any madman who plays the prophet, to put him in the stocks and the collar. So now why have you not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth who plays the prophet for you (29:26-27)?”

b) Zephaniah read Shemaiah’s letter to Jeremiah and upon hearing it, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: “Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, though I did not send him, and has led you to trust in a lie, therefore thus says the LORD: I am going to punish Shemaiah of Nehelam and his descendants; he shall not have anyone living among this people to see the good that I am going to do to my people, says the LORD, for he has spoken rebellion against the LORD (29:31-32).”

III. What is God’s promise to the exiles?

a) In response to these letters that have been sent, God tells Jeremiah to record in a book all that the Lord has said because a day is coming when God will restore the people. This, however, will not come before the people have been punished for their sins (30:1-15).

b) While they are in exile, God will protect them from whoever seeks to harm or destroy them. “Therefore all who devour you shall be devoured, and all your foes, everyone of them, shall go into captivity; those who plunder you shall be plundered, and all who prey on you I will make a prey (30:16).”

c) God is going to restore the health of the nation: “For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, says the LORD, because they have called you an outcast: "It is Zion; no one cares for her (30:17)!”

d) God will restore the fortunes of the people; Jerusalem will be rebuilt and the sound of thanksgiving will be heard, their population will be multiplied and God will punish anyone who oppresses them; God will raise a ruler from among them and they will be God’s people; but these things will not occur until their punishment has been accomplished (30:18-24).

Next Week: Jeremiah 31

Questions for the week:

1. How is “virgin Israel” restored?

2. How is Exodus 34:7 overturned?

3. What is the “new covenant” which God will establish?