Saul Weinreb - Let the Prophets Speak

Jeremiah 25b - The Drunken Sword

The cycle continues, nations respond to violence with violence, and no one learns the lessons that God is trying to teach.  God tells Jeremiah,
"Take this cup of wine, the wine that represents my wrath, and give it to the nations of the world to drink."  Justice will come to all, there is going to be no escape from the anger of God.

Jeremiah 25a - The Cycle of History

"I have been saying these prophecies for 23 years and you still aren't listening!" says Jeremiah.  Since you still won't change your ways, Babylon will come and destroy you and all your friends and allies.  However, the cycle of history will go on. Babylon's cruelty will also be repaid. After 70 years they will get punished too.  Until all the natiuons of the world learn to stop the cycle of violence, God's cycle of punishments will not stop.

Jeremiah 24 - Two Baskets of Figs

God shows Jeremiah two baskets of figs, one basket is full of fresh juicy figs, and the other are shriveled and rotten.  The people of Judah who go into exile in babylon, and return to God with full hearts, will one day come back and reestablish their kingdom in Jerusalem under God.  The one's who still loook to themselves, and to other nations for help and refuse to mend their ways, will end up like the shriveled figs.

Jeremiah 23b - God is Not a Burden

Don't think that God doesn't concern Himself with the affairs of mankind. The creator of everything also knows everything, and He expects that we behave appropriately.  Don't call God's expectations a burden! He is asking for truth and justice.  These are not a burden, they are our mission upon this world.

Jeremiah 23a - God Will Bring Justice

God lashes out against the leadership who failed to lead the people justly.  the Kings, the false "prophets" and the priests, all led the people astray. One day, God declares, I will appoint leaders to lead my flock back to their land. Leaders who will rule with justice and righteousness.  

Jeremiah 22b - The End of the Line

The Kings of Judah won't listen to Jeremiah and the message of God. Thus God declares that this will be the end of the dynasty of David. These Kings will not have descendents worthy of the throne of David.

Jeremiah 22a - The Righteous King

Jeremiah preaches to the King of Judah. It is only by establishing justice, ending oppression, protecting the widow and the orphan, this is how to ensure the future of the Kingdom of Judah.  Do this, and the Kingdom will be saved. Continue your corruption, and prayer will not save you.

Jeremiah 21 - Pray for us!

In desperation, despite ignoring his message for years, King Zedekiah turns to the prophet for help.  He asks for prayers from the prophet to save them from the Babylonians, hoping for divine intervention.  God responds that the only divine intervention he can expect is retribution for their misdeed and punishment and defeat.  God advises the people to flee for their lives, but for the leadership God has a different message. If you want to prevent the coming catastrophe, establish justice, end oppression. Prayer is not what I am looking for.

Jeremiah 20 - Terror All Around

Jeremiah is flogged and put into the stocks for preaching about injustice and violence.  The pain and suffering becomes unbearable for Jeremiah.  Going back and forth between faith and despair, we feel the prophet as he struggles with his fate. 

Jeremiah 19 - Breaking the Bottle

God ignores Jeremiah's pleading to punish his tormentors, and instead gives him another thankless task. Smash a bottle in the Valley of ben-Hinnom, and prophecy again about the coming destruction.