Episode 2393: The Books of the Bible - Jeremiah with Sharon

Jeremiah
Walt: Welcome back to "The Books of the Bible," where we delve into the rich and timeless wisdom of the Bible from a traditional Catholic perspective. I'm Walt, your host, and joining me as always is Sharon, my ever-enthusiastic co-host. How are you today, Sharon?
Sharon: I’m great, Walt! I’m excited to dive into the Book of Jeremiah. It’s one of those books that's filled with intense drama, prophecies, and profound spiritual lessons. Jeremiah is a fascinating figure a prophet chosen by God to deliver His messages during a turbulent time in Israel's history. Today, we’re going to break down the Book of Jeremiah, offering contextual explanations and insights from the Douay-Rheims version of the Bible. Let’s get started.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Heavenly Father, Creator of all that is seen and unseen, we come before You with humble hearts as we delve into the sacred scriptures, particularly the Book of Jeremiah. We thank You for the wisdom and guidance You imparted through Your prophet, calling Your people to repentance and faithfulness.
Grant us the grace to open our hearts and minds to the lessons You wish to teach us today. May the Holy Spirit enlighten our understanding, strengthen our faith, and inspire us to live in accordance with Your divine will. Through the intercession of Our Lady, Queen of Prophets, and all the angels and saints, we seek Your blessing upon this podcast episode.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Introduction to Jeremiah
Sharon: The Book of Jeremiah is one of the major prophetic books of the Old Testament. Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," was called by God to prophesy the destruction of Jerusalem and the coming exile of the Israelites to Babylon. The Book of Jeremiah is set in the year 597 BC during the politically tumultuous times following the fall of the Assyrian and the rise of the Babylonians. By the command of God, it was, the initial writings began in year 605 BC which was the fourth year of King Jehoiakim ( Jeremiah 36:1-3) In the fourth year of Jehoiakin son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the Lord: Take a scroll and write on it all the words I have spoken to you concerning Israel, Judal and all the other nations from the time I began speaking to you in the reign of Josiah till now. Perhaps when the people of Judah hear about every disaster I plan to inflict on them, they will each turn from their wicked way; then I will forgive their wickedness and their sin.
Walt: Jeremiah's ministry spanned over forty years, during the reigns of the last kings of Judah. He witnessed the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple. Imagine being the bearer of such devastating news, Sharon. It’s no wonder he was often in tears.
Sharon: Indeed, Walt. His prophecies were not well-received, and he faced significant opposition, even from his own people. Let’s delve into the structure of the book to understand it better.
Structure of the Book
Sharon: The Book of Jeremiah can be divided into several sections:
Call and Commission of Jeremiah (Chapters 1-10):
Chapter 1: The Lord calls Jeremiah to be a prophet.
Chapters 2-10: Early prophecies against Judah for their idolatry and unfaithfulness.
Oracles of Judgment and Hope (Chapters 11-29):
Chapters 11-20: Jeremiah's struggles and God's messages of impending doom.
Chapters 21-29: Prophecies during the reign of Zedekiah, the last king of Judah.
Book of Consolation (Chapters 30-33):
Promises of restoration and a new covenant.
Historical Narratives (Chapters 34-45):
Events leading up to the fall of Jerusalem and its aftermath.
Prophecies Against the Nations (Chapters 46-51):
Judgments against various nations, including Babylon.
Fall of Jerusalem (Chapter 52):

A historical appendix recounting the siege and destruction of Jerusalem.
Walt: That’s quite the outline! And each section has its unique themes and messages. For instance, the Book of Consolation in chapters 30-33 stands out because, amidst all the gloom and doom, there’s this shining beacon of hope.
Sharon: Exactly, Walt. Jeremiah doesn’t just deliver messages of judgment; he also speaks of God’s enduring mercy and the promise of a new covenant. Now, let’s dive deeper into some of these sections.

Call and Commission of Jeremiah
Sharon: In Chapter 1, we read about Jeremiah's calling. God tells him, "Before I formed thee in the bowels of thy mother, I knew thee: and before thou camest forth out of the womb, I sanctified thee, and made thee a prophet unto the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5)
Walt: That’s a powerful affirmation of God’s sovereignty and providence. Jeremiah’s life had a purpose even before his birth. It’s a reminder that God has a plan for each of us, even if we don’t see it right away.
Sharon: Absolutely. Despite his initial reluctance, Jeremiah accepts his mission. He is given visions, like that of the almond branch and the boiling pot, symbolizing God’s vigilance and impending judgment on Judah.
Jeremiah 11-14: Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.12 Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.13 And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is toward the north.14 Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.

Oracles of Judgment and Hope
Sharon: Moving on to Chapters 11-20, we see Jeremiah delivering stern warnings about the consequences of Judah’s idolatry and unfaithfulness. Despite these warnings, the people refuse to repent. Jeremiah 5:26-28
26 “Among my people are the wicked who lie in wait like men who snare birds and like those who set traps to catch people.
27 Like cages full of birds, their houses are full of deceit; they have become rich and powerful
28 and have grown fat and sleek. Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not seek justice. They do not promote the case of the fatherless; they do not defend the just cause of the poor.

Jeremiah 9:23 his is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches,

Jeremiah 17:7-8 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.8 They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Walt: And because of that, Jeremiah faces tremendous opposition. He’s mocked, imprisoned, and even thrown into a cistern. Yet, he remains steadfast. His resilience is truly inspiring.
Sharon: It is, Walt. In Chapters 30-33, amidst the prophecies of doom, we find the Book of Consolation. Here, Jeremiah speaks of the future restoration of Israel and the coming of a new covenant, which Christians understand as being fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Jeremiah 31:25 “For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.”

Jeremiah 33:11 the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD, saying, “Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love endures forever.” For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,’ says the LORD.

Walt: That’s the silver lining in Jeremiah’s otherwise somber message. It shows that God’s ultimate plan is one of redemption and hope.
Historical Narratives and Prophecies Against Nations
Sharon: Chapters 34-45 detail the events leading up to the fall of Jerusalem. It’s a tragic tale of a nation that refused to heed God’s warnings. Yet, even here, God’s mercy is evident in His promises to those who would turn back to Him.
“Jeremiah 34:2-3 This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Go to Zedekiah king of Judah and tell him, ‘This is what the LORD says: I am about to give this city into the hands of the king of Babylon, and he will burn it down. 3 You will not escape from his grasp but will surely be captured and given into his hands. You will see the king of Babylon with your own eyes, and he will speak with you face to face. And you will go to Babylon.
8 The word came to Jeremiah from the LORD after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim freedom for the slaves. 9 Everyone was to free their Hebrew slaves, both male and female; no one was to hold a fellow Hebrew in bondage. 10 So all the officials and people who entered into this covenant agreed that they would free their male and female slaves and no longer hold them in bondage. They agreed, and set them free. 11 But afterward they changed their minds and took back the slaves they had freed and enslaved them again.
17 Therefore this is what the LORD says: You have not obeyed me; you have not proclaimed freedom to your own people. So I now proclaim ‘freedom’ for you, declares the LORD ‘freedom’ to fall by the sword, plague and famine. I will make you abhorrent to all the kingdoms of the earth.
Jeremiah 42:4-5 But the LORD has told me to say to you, ‘This is what the LORD says: I will overthrow what I have built and uproot what I have planted, throughout the earth. 5 Should you then seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them. For I will bring disaster on all people, declares the LORD, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.”
Walt: And the prophecies against the nations in Chapters 46-51 remind us that God’s judgment isn’t limited to Israel. He is the sovereign Lord over all nations.
46 This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations:
2 Concerning Egypt: This is the message against the army of Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt, which was defeated at Carchemish on the Euphrates River by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah:
47 This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines before Pharaoh attacked Gaza: (concerning the Philistines)
2 This is what the LORD says:
“See how the waters are rising in the north;
they will become an overflowing torrent.
They will overflow the land and everything in it,
the towns and those who live in them.
The people will cry out;
all who dwell in the land will wail

It continues through the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Damascus and Babylon to name a few.

Sharon: Finally, Chapter 52 recounts the fall of Jerusalem, serving as a historical appendix to the book.
52 31:34 And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Joachin king of Juda, in the twelfth month, the five and twentieth day of the month, that Evilmerodach king of Babylon, in the first year of his reign, lifted up the head of Joachin king of Juda, and brought him forth out of prison. [32] And he spoke kindly to him, and he set his throne above the thrones of the kings that were with him in Babylon. [33] And he changed his prison garments, and he ate bread before him always all the days of his life. [34] And for his diet a continual provision was allowed him by the king of Babylon, every day a portion, until the day of his death, all the days of his life.

Segment 6: Conclusion and Reflection
Sharon: As we wrap up, the Book of Jeremiah teaches us about the consequences of disobedience, the importance of repentance, and the hope of restoration. It’s a call to remain faithful to God, no matter the circumstances.
This reminds me of 2 Chronicles 7:14-16 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Walt: And it’s a reminder that even in the darkest times, God’s mercy and love shine through. Jeremiah’s life and message are a testament to that.

Sharon: Well said, Walt. That’s all for today’s episode . Thank you for joining us everyone as we explored the Book of Jeremiah. We hope you found it enlightening and encouraging. God bless, you all!
Walt: And don’t forget to go out there and convert somebody.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Almighty and Ever-Living God, we thank You for the insights and reflections we have gained from the Book of Jeremiah. As we conclude this episode, we ask for Your continued guidance and protection.
Help us to take to heart the messages of repentance, justice, and hope that Jeremiah proclaimed. Strengthen our resolve to follow Your commandments and to trust in Your providence, especially during times of trial and tribulation.
We entrust ourselves to Your loving care and ask that You bless all those who have joined us today. May Your word bear fruit in our lives and lead us ever closer to Your eternal kingdom.
Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Augustine, and all the saints, we pray for Your grace to remain faithful servants of Your truth.
We ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.