Saul Weinreb - Let the Prophets Speak

Jeremiah 40 - A Tiny Bit of Hope, and a Naive Leader

Jeremiah joins Gedaliah and the scattered Judean refugees begin to stream back to Judah. Just as there seems to be home for a future of the the Judeans in their land, jealousy and intrigue threaten to destroy it. 

Jeremiah 39- Jerusalem Falls

The Babylonian Army breeches the walls of Jerusalem, and the city falls to the enemy.  The King's family and the nobility tries to escape, but they are captured by the Babylonians.  As God had told Jeremiah, the King's family is brutally murdered, and Zedekiah is brought in chains into captivity. The conquerers leave the poor and previously enslaved Judeans in Judea, and appoint Gedalyahu as their giverner. Jeremiah chooses to remain with the remnant of his people. There is still hope that Judea can survive under the humble leadership of Gedalyahu. 

Jeremiah 38 - The King is a Coward

Again accused of being a traitor by the King's advisors, the King allows them to throw the prophet into a pit of mud to die.  Another sympathetic servant of the King, begs for permission to rescue Jeremiah.  The King grants him permission to take him out of the pit. In a secret meeting, the King Zedekiah asks Jeremiah for advice and regarding his fate.  Zedekiah is too much of a coward to act against his advisors, and refuses to heed the prophet's advice.

Jeremiah 37 - The Failed Rescue Attempt

This chapter begins Jeremiah's description of the final days of the Kingdom of Judah.  The siege of Jerusalem is at its' height, and the King and the people have rejected Jeremiah's admonitions.  The Egyptian Army marches north to help relieve Jerusalem, but they are quickly repulsed by the Chaldeans.  Jeremiah is accused of being a traitor, and is placed in in a horrific jail cell. The King intervenes on his behalf and though he remains in custody, he is given rations and better living conditions.

Jeremiah 36 - The Burning of the Book

Jeremiah dictates his prophecies to his trusted scribe Baruch, who reads it to the people.  The King's council then hears the scrool, and many of the leaders are rifghtened by what they hear. Hoping for a movement of true repentance, they bring it to the King's attention. However the king is enraged and he burns the scroll.  Instead of heeding God's word, he orders the arrest of Jeremiah and Baruch.

Jeremiah 35 - Lessons from the Nomads

God asks Jeremiah to offer wine to the family of the Rechabites, descendants of Jethro, and they refuse.  They are faithful to their family traditions, but the people of Israel are not faithful to God.

Jeremiah 34 - Emancipation and Reenslavement

The battle rages on, and Jeremiah informs King Zedekiah that although the city will fall, he will not be executed by Nebuchadnezzar.  He will die in exile peacefully and receive honors befitting a king.  Zedekiah declares freedom to all enslaved Judeans, and the people willingly comply.  God sees this righteous act, and the Babylonians retreat.  The moment there is a reprieve, the wealthy slaveowners recapture and reenslave their poor brethren.  God is infuriated that the people have shown their true selfish character.  The Babylonian siege will come back in full force, and now the city is doomed.

Jeremiah 33 - The Covenant is Forever - But it is a Two-way Street

Jeremiah is still captive in the prison yard, and the city is falling to the enemy.  Surrounded by destruction, the people think that the destruction of Jerusalem means the end of their relationship with God.  However, the prophet teaches that the special covenant is forever.  The covenant is between God and his people, not the buildings or the temple.  The people must do their part, and act justly and with righteousness.  God will always keep His covenant, it is as strong as the very laws of nature themselves.

Jeremiah 32b - No Miracles Today

God answers Jeremiah's prayer. Yes, i am the almighty, but today I will not intervene and save the people. They deserve to be destroyed due to their own corruption. However, one day i will bring them back, and the exiles will return. On that day, an everlasting bond will be made between God and His people. The purchase you just made, is simply a message to the people that one day they will return to Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 32a - The Prisoner Buys Some Land

The siege of Jerusalem is under way, and the Kingdom is about to fall.  King Zedekiah throws the prophet into jail for his "subsversive" prophecies which are now unfolding before their very eyes. God asks Jeremiah to perform a very unusual transaction, and Jeremiah turns to God for an explanation.