Most surprisingly, I got on with Jeremiah a bit better than Isaiah!

Jeremiah begins so beautifully. Upon hearing his call, Jeremiah says ‘oh, but I don’t know how to speak because I am just a youth!’. But God says ‘don’t say that Jeremiah! You will go where I send you and say what I tell you to say. Don’t be afraid, I’m here’.*

Jeremiah had some hard truths to share, so I can understand his reluctance. I also know what it’s like to feel you are too young to qualify for ministry. But, as we just saw, age doesn’t bother God!

The book is a series of speeches and events all pulled together by a writer called Baruch. We can see that a bit like Isaiah, we’ve got a prophet who is full of both concern and hope. Jeremiah warns the people of the dangers of their current behaviour while also promising the hope of future restoration.

Jeremiah seems to find it hard to be a prophet. He takes no pleasure in bringing these messages, and he feels very strongly for his God and his people. He was persecuted for prophesying the fall to Babylon. Apparently Jeremiah is known as ‘the weeping prophet’, although there are some real beautiful moments in this book.

Towards the end, I enjoyed reference to somebody called ‘Elnathan’ because it’s like Eleanor and Nathan combined! I was also struck by the name Habazziniah, which sounds very cool if you ask me!

My favourite verse: Jeremiah 33.3: ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

Aidan fell asleep 3 times listening to me read Jeremiah.

*Poppy Paraphrase

With thanks to StockSnap on Pixabay for the photo