3. How do we keep our lights burning bright without giving up?
4. How do we keep our lights burning bright without giving up and finish our courses?
5. Run with the Horses Jeremiah 12:5 Lessons from Jeremiah
6. Jeremiah 12: 5 “ If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?” (NIV)
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8. Ample Warning For Judah 735-710 BC Micah: Judah will suffer exile for exploitation of poor c.630 BC Zephaniah: Day of the Lord is coming - Repent! 4 decades before Jerusalem’s fall 607-5 BC Habakkuk: Judah will be disciplined by Babylon 590 BC Joel: Judgment by locusts should cause repentance before Babylon’s invasion 627-580 BC Jeremiah: Judgment is inevitable. 70 years captivity! adapted Dr Rick Griffith, Singapore Bible College
9. MAJOR EVENTS DURING JEREMIAH’ TIMES (BC) 686 Manasseh becomes sole king; Josiah born 642 Amon succeeds Manasseh as king 640 Josiah becomes king 633 Josiah at 16 seeks after God 628 Josiah at 20 begins reforms 627 Jeremiah at 20 called as prophet 621 Mosaic Law found in the temple 612 Nineveh destroyed as Nahum prophesied 609 Josiah slain in battle at Megiddo; Jehoiakim becomes king 586 Zedekiah flees July 18; destruction of Jerusalem begins August 14 JEHOVAH times Keeping you up to date since the Garden of Eden - Since creation- Rembrandt’s Jeremiah
10. Kings during Jeremiah’s Times Michelangelo's Jeremiah on Sistine Chapel Josiah (Judah’s last Godly king) Jehoiakim (ungodly, scripture burning king) Jehoiachin ( a ninety-day wonder judged by God) Zedekiah (Judah’s last king) Nebuchanezzar (Babylon conqueror) Gedaliah (Babylonian appointed governor of occupied Jerusalem) Johanan (successor of Gediah who was assassinated) Jeremiah 12:5
11. King Josiah’s Reforms Jeremiah 11:6 2 Chronicles 34 The covenant (Deut.28) is broken
12. Structure is Logical not Chronological adapted Dr Rick Griffith, Singapore Bible College
13. Jeremiah 12: 5 “ If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?” (NIV)
14. JER 11:18 Because the LORD revealed their plot to me, I knew it, for at that time he showed me what they were doing. 19 I had been like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter; I did not realize that they had plotted against me, saying, "Let us destroy the tree and its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name be remembered no more." JER 11:20 But, O LORD Almighty, you who judge righteously and test the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you I have committed my cause.
15. JER 11:21 "Therefore this is what the LORD says about the men of Anathoth who are seeking your life and saying, `Do not prophesy in the name of the LORD or you will die by our hands'-- 22 therefore this is what the LORD Almighty says: `I will punish them. Their young men will die by the sword, their sons and daughters by famine. 23 Not even a remnant will be left to them, because I will bring disaster on the men of Anathoth in the year of their punishment.' "
16. JER 12:1 You are always righteous, O LORD, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? JER 12:2 You have planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit. You are always on their lips but far from their hearts.
17. JER 12:3 Yet you know me, O LORD; you see me and test my thoughts about you. Drag them off like sheep to be butchered! Set them apart for the day of slaughter! JER 12:4 How long will the land lie parched and the grass in every field be withered? Because those who live in it are wicked, the animals and birds have perished. Moreover, the people are saying, "He will not see what happens to us."
18. JER 12:5 "If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan? The LORD
19. JER 12:6 Your brothers, your own family-- even they have betrayed you; they have raised a loud cry against you. Do not trust them, though they speak well of you. JER 12:7 "I will forsake my house, abandon my inheritance; I will give the one I love into the hands of her enemies. JER 12:8 My inheritance has become to me like a lion in the forest. She roars at me; therefore I hate her. The LORD
20. how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan? how can you compete with horses? Jeremiah’s family and the men of Anathoth The nation of Judah and the nation of Judah and the surrounding nations Spiritual warfare If you stumble in safe country, “ If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, The plot on Jeremiah’s life (11:18-20) The refusal of the people to listen to Jeremiah and repent (11:21-23) and “Why does the wicked prospers?” (12:1-4) Idolatry Opposition Problems
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23. Who Am I? – Wer Bin Ich? Who am I? They often tell me, I step out from my cell, composed, contented and sure, like a lord from his manor. Who am I? They often tell me, I speak with my jailers, frankly, familiar and firm, as though I was in command. Who am I? They also tell me, I bear the days of hardship, unconcerned, amused and proud, like one who usually wins. Dietrich Bonhoeffer
24. Am I really what others tell me? Or am I only what I know of me? Troubled, homesick, ill, like a bird in a cage, gasping for breath, as though one strangled me, hungering for colors, for flowers, for songs of birds, thirsting for kind words, for human company, quivering with anger at despotism and petty insults, anxiously waiting for great events, helplessly worrying about friends far away, empty and tired of praying, of thinking, of working, exhausted and ready to bid farewell to it all.
25. Who am I? This or the other? Am I then, this today and the other tomorrow? Am I both at the same time? In public, a hypocrite and by myself, a contemptible, whining weakling? Or am I to myself, like a beaten army, flying in disorder from a victory already won? Who am I? Lonely questions mock me. Who I really am, you know me, I am thine, O God! Voices in the Night: The Prison Poems of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
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27. False Prophets & Priests Oppose Jeremiah Jeremiah is beaten and placed in stocks by Pashhur, chief officer of the temple. Jer. 20:1-3 After release, Baruch, a young scribe, offers to help him. Picture Source: The Picture Bible, Chariot Books, David C Cook, 1978 adapted Dr Rick Griffith, Singapore Bible College
28. Jeremiah prophesies against Judah’s leaders and false prophets, but they refuse to listen WARNING ! WARNING! Jer. 21-23 Source: The Picture Bible, Chariot Books, David C Cook, 1978
29. Jeremiah’s Imprisonment Enemies accuse Jeremiah of defecting to the Babylonians so he is put into a dungeon. Zedekiah calls for him, but refuses to listen to his message, “Babylonians will return! Surrender!” He is later thrown into a cistern. Ebed-melech rescues him by pleading before the king. Jer. 37-38 Picture Source: The Children’s Bible in 365 stories, Lion Publishing, 1985
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31. Object lessons – signs of judgment Ruined waistband – rots in rock crevice. Judah strayed from God, being exposed to pagan influences, is now spiritually worthless Fill jugs with wine! Get drunk! – God will have no mercy and compassion when they suffer. Jer. 13 adapted Dr Rick Griffith, Singapore Bible College
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33. Breaking a jar of clay You have forsaken me for other gods and shed innocent blood. I will smash you like the pot by your enemy. Jer. 19 Picture Source: The Children’s Bible in 365 stories, Lion Publishing, 1985 adapted Dr Rick Griffith, Singapore Bible College
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35. Jerusalem’s leaders resist Babylon’s rule Jeremiah wears a yoke to symbolize Judah’s future submission to Babylon. Jer. 27-28 Picture Source: The Picture Bible, Chariot Books, David C Cook, 1978
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37. Jeremiah’s family and the men of Anathoth, the royal household, the nation of Judah (12:6) The nation of Judah and Chaldeans, Arameans, Moabites, Ammonites, Babylonians how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan? how can you compete with horses? more sufferings for Jeremiah as he continue to prophecies God’s judgment on Judah (12:7-13) and God’s judgment on the surrounding nations (12:14-17) Jeremiah’s family and the men of Anathoth The nation of Judah and the nation of Judah and the surrounding nations Spiritual warfare If you stumble in safe country, “ If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, The plot on Jeremiah’s life (11:18-20) The refusal of the people to listen to Jeremiah and repent (11:21-23) and “Why does the wicked prospers?” (12:1-4) Idolatry Opposition Problems
38. Nebuchadnezzar comes (597 BC) Takes exiles and King Jehoiachin away. Places Zedekiah on throne, gives another chance for Judah to submit to Babylon. Jer. 24-25 70 year captivity predicted Picture Source: The Children’s Bible in 365 stories, Lion Publishing, 1985
39. Nebuchadnezzar’s Six Deportations to Babylon Size Date King of Judah Number taken Key Captives Results/ Comments 1 Minor 605 BC Jehoiakim Few (Dan 1:3) Daniel, 3 friends & nobility & royalty Tribute imposed. Egypt powerful. 2 Moderate 598 BC Jehoiakim 3023 (Jer. 52:28) Minor deportation 3 Major 597 BC Jehoiachin 10,000 (2 Kings 24:14) Jeoiachin, Ezekiel, Mordecai Large deportation. Zedekiah 4 Minor 587 BC Zedekiah 832 (Jer. 52:29) Before destruction 5 Major 586 BC Zedekiah ca. 10,400 (2 Kings 25:11) Zedekiah Jerusalem & temple destroyed 6 Minor 582 BC 745 (Jer. 52:30) 4 years after Jerusalem’s destruction
41. JER 1:17 "Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. 18 Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land--against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.
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43. “ God never calls a man to content with horses until He has practiced him with footmen; that God has never yet send a man into the wilds of Jordan until He has trained him in the land of peace… It is a great principle, always obtaining in God’s method with His servants, and in all His dealings with His people”
44. Jeremiah’s family and the men of Anathoth, the royal household, the nation of Judah (12:6) The nation of Judah and Chaldeans, Arameans, Moabites, Ammonites, Babylonians how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan? how can you compete with horses? more sufferings for Jeremiah as he continue to prophecies God’s judgment on Judah (12:7-13) and God’s judgment on the surrounding nations (12:14-17) God has helped us in our struggle with our problems in the past and is helping us in the present God has his own timing God is with us Jeremiah’s family and the men of Anathoth The nation of Judah and the nation of Judah and the surrounding nations Spiritual warfare If you stumble in safe country, “ If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, The plot on Jeremiah’s life (11:18-20) The refusal of the people to listen to Jeremiah and repent (11:21-23) and “Why does the wicked prospers?” (12:1-4) Idolatry Lessons for us Opposition Problems
47. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Eph. 6:12-18
48. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
49. God will help us in our struggle with our problems in the future God’s judgment is just Armour of God Jeremiah’s family and the men of Anathoth, the royal household, the nation of Judah (12:6) The nation of Judah and Chaldeans, Arameans, Moabites, Ammonites, Babylonians Spiritual warfare how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan? how can you compete with horses? more sufferings for Jeremiah as he continue to prophecies God’s judgment on Judah (12:7-13) and God’s judgment on the surrounding nations (12:14-17) Idolatry God has helped us in our struggle with our problems in the past and is helping us in the present God has his own timing God is with us Jeremiah’s family and the men of Anathoth The nation of Judah and the nation of Judah and the surrounding nations Spiritual warfare If you stumble in safe country, “ If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, The plot on Jeremiah’s life (11:18-20) The refusal of the people to listen to Jeremiah and repent (11:21-23) and “Why does the wicked prospers?” (12:1-4) Idolatry Lessons for us Opposition Problems
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51. Jeremiah 12: 5 “ If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?” (NIV)
52. If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? Morgan: “ In my contending with horses, I shall also and again be weary; but I shall win, for I have already won by Thy strength in running with footmen” G. Campbell Morgan, Studies in the Prophecy of Jeremiah , 1994, Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Company, 93
53. If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan? Morgan: “ that He is God, though in the wilds I shall oftentimes be assaulted by fear, yet I shall win, as I have won in the land of peace” G. Campbell Morgan, Studies in the Prophecy of Jeremiah , 1994, Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Company, 93
54. God is with you, will give you strength and will not let you face problems more than you are able to overcome. He wants you to continue to shine for him. sermon statement
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56. How do we keep our lights burning bright without giving up and finish the course?
60. Discussion How do we continue to be bright lights that shine for Christ (maintain), and how do we ensure that we finish our spiritual journeys well?
61. Jenny, I believe that God made me for a purpose, He also made me fast,
62. Jenny, I believe that God made me for a purpose, He also made me fast, And when I run, I feel His pleasure
65. Unless the eye catch fire The God will not be seen. Unless the ear catch fire The God will not be heard. Unless the tongue catch fire The God will not be named. Unless the heart catch fire The God will not be loved. Unless the mind catch fire The God will not be known. Passion
66. Email: [email_address] Website: www.kairos2.com Blog: www.draltang01.blogspot.com Facebook: www.facebook/dr.alex.tang Tweet: www.twitter.com/alexthtang SS: www.slideshare.net/draltang Contact me Dr Alex Tang
Notes de l'éditeur
Jeremiah’s prophecies were written down not in chronological order, but rather in a seemingly haphazard way, as shown in this chart, however, as we read the book of Jeremiah we can see that there is a logical flow in what and who it was trying to address.
Pashhur reacts angrily to Jeremiahs’ words against Jerusalem and Judah. He has Jeremiah beaten and locked in the public stocks. But Jeremiah is released, and pronounces judgment against Pashhur and his family. Jeremiah laments to God for his suffering. Eventually, Baruch, a young scribe offers to help him.
Jeremiah continues to preach God’s messages. He prophesies judgments against Judah’s kings and leaders and false prophets, but promises that the Messiah will come to lead the nation justly. (Zedekiah will be judged and God will reject his request to save them from Babylon; Jehoahaz will die in exile, Jehoiakim will die a terrible death without burial, Jehoiachin will be judged by not having any immediate descendants on the throne). The false prophets and priests have disgraced God’s temple and spoken lies.
Jeremiah continues to proclaim faithfully God’s message of judgment to Zedekiah who refuses to listen to his message. He is accused of defecting to the Babylonians, put into a dungeon, and later a cistern. But he is rescued by God’s foreign servant, Ebed-Melech, who is later spared for protecting Jeremiah’s life, showing benefits of obedience.
More object lessons ! God shows signs of judgment. He instructs Jeremiah to purchase a linen waistband and hide in some rocks by the river. After some time, Jeremiah went to retrieve the waistband which had rotted. God said the people were like the waistband. He had bound them to Himself, but they had strayed away after other gods. Through their exposure to such pagan influences, they are now spiritually worthless to Him. Jeremiah also commands the people to ‘drink it up!’. The Lord will bring spiritual drunkenness to Judah – He will not have compassion on them when they suffer sin’s consequences.
Jeremiah takes an earthenware jar from the potter’s house to the Hinnom Valley in Jerusalem. He warns Judah of the terrible disaster that will come for they people abandoned the Lord to worship idols. They shed innocent blood and sacrificed their children. He describes the inevitable judgment to come – people will run out of food and turn to cannibalism. Corpses would lie everywhere and become food for wild animals. Jeremiah smashes the jar, symbolizing Jerusalem’s seemingly irreversible destruction.
At the beginning of Zedekiah’s reign, there is talk of revolt against Babylon. God instructs Jeremiah to wear a yoke to symbolize Judah’s future submission to Babylon. God will place all nations under Nebuchadnezzar’s yoke; any nation that resisted would perish. He urges the king not to listen to the false prophets.
Jeremiah faces serious opposition from false prophets. Hananiah seizes Jeremiah’s yoke and breaks it, claiming God would break Babylon’s power and the captivity is not 70 years, but only 2 years. Well, he pays for his lies with his own life. He dies 2 months later. After him, Shemaiah the false prophet also opposes Jeremiah.
8 years after Jeremiahs’ prophecy about Nebuchadnezzar and the 70 years captivity, Nebuchadnezzar came and took King Jehoiachin away with many other exiles. He places his uncle, Zedekiah (Josiah’s other son) in charge and gives Judah one more chance to submit to Babylon’s rule.
This slide shows the Nebuchadnezzar’s 6 deportations to Babylon. This one is number 3, the first of 2 major deportations, with 10,000 people deported.