Can a righteous person save a city? (Jer 5:1)
Jer 5:1 When faced with the overwhelming problems and needs of this world, as they come to us through news media, mission organisations or charities, we may feel utterly helpless. What difference can our contributions make? I’ll never forget the…
Can we trust God’s verdict? (Jeremiah 5)
Jer 5:1-31 A friend who had young children shared how her sister always criticised her parenting, forever preaching about the need to be consistent with them. Of course, there are no better parents than people without children – at least…
A glimpse into the heart of God (Jer 4:19-31)
Jer 4:19-31 One of the things that many readers find hard about the Old Testament is the description of God as wrathful and vengeful, full of fury and anger. We imagine unrestrained human rage, unreasonable, implacable, and vindictive, but despite…
Up to the last minute (Jer 4:5-18)
Jer 4:5-18 My husband tells me of a fearful incident that happened to him a few years before we met. Driving on the motorway, he spotted some distance ahead a car that stopped right bang in the middle of his…
What makes for true repentance? (Jer 3:15-4:4)
Jer 3:15-25; 4:1-4 A former colleague was looking forward to a trip with a friend to a two-day festival in another city. It was a special thirtieth birthday treat to hear her favourite band and her friend got her tickets.…
Dealing with presumption (Jer 3:1-14)
Jer 3:1-14 Heinrich Heine, a German poet of the 19th century, allegedly said on his deathbed, ‘God will forgive me. That’s His job.’ The anecdote represents the view of many today who assume that God’s love means indulgence towards His…
The remedy for wilful blindness (Jer 2:20-37)
Jer 2:20-37 Early on in my teaching career I came across a student who was particularly enthusiastic, and it was a joy to see his interaction in class and hear his probing questions. However, mid-way through the course he disappeared…
The damage we do to ourselves (Jer 2:1-19)
Jer 2:1-19 It is common to hear non-Christians say that they cannot believe in a God who would bar them from ‘heaven’ just because they do not acknowledge Him or live up to His expectations. However, this is a serious…
What God’s calling involves (Jeremiah 1)
Jer 1:1-19 A few years after I came to faith, I led some Bible studies in a church camp. During that time my pastor asked me if I had ever thought of training to be a pastor myself. I dismissed…
Introduction to Jeremiah
Jeremiah and Josiah’s reform There is no prophet of whose life and emotions we know as much as Jeremiah’s. Called from a priestly family in the small town of Anathoth (Jer 1:1), 3-4 km north of Jerusalem, he preached to…