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CONSIDERATION OF THE JEREMIAH PASSAGE

The Consideration of the Greater Context of Jeremiah

Historical Context

The historical context of the book of Jeremiah is that of a complicated and volatile time. The following list will illustrate the situation in which Jeremiah ministered to the southern Kingdom of Judah.1

639-609 B.C  The reign of Josiah
626 B.C. The call of Jeremiah
612 B.C. The Fall of Nineveh
609 B.C.  The death of Josiah at Megiddo
609 B.C. 
(3 months)		 The reign of Jehoahaz
609-597 B.C. The reign of Jehoiachim
605 B.C. The Battle of Carchemish and the Fall of The Assyrian Empire
605 B.C  The first siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzer including the first series of deportations to Babylon
597 B.C. 
(3 months)		 The reign of Jehoiachin
597 B.C. The second siege of Jerusalem
597-586 B.C.  The reign of Zedekiah
588-586 B.C.  The final siege of Jerusalem, beginning the Babylonian Captivity
586 B.C. The Fall of Jerusalem
586 B.C. The Assassination of Gedaliah

The international world during Jeremiah's lifetime was extremely volatile. During Jeremiah's public ministry Judah was under the control of Assyria, Egypt, and Babylon. Jeremiah's constant prophecy was that the nation of Judah would be overtaken by a power from the north. This invasion and the coming destruction were clearly labeled as the result of continual covenantal disobedience. Yet in the midst of such dire prophecies, there are reminders that even while the people were unfaithful to the covenant with the Lord, for His part, the Lord would always honor the covenants with Abraham, and David. There would be a future for the nation.

Literary Context

The chapters 21 through 39 are recognized historically from the reigns of Jehoiachin and Zedekiah, the last unfaithful rulers of Judah. Within this section are three subsections. The first of these subsections deals with the conflicts and trials of Jeremiah during this period (21-29). The second subsection is commonly referred to as the "Book of Consolation" (30-33). It is from the last portion of this second subsection that the text which is quoted in Hebrews 8 is from. The third subsection contains the messages and the events just prior to the fall of Jerusalem (34-39).

The Book of Consolation (30-33) is strategically placed in this second historical section of Jeremiah. It is preceded by the trials of Jeremiah as he faithfully proclaims the message of the Lord. The final messages and the events recording the fall of Jerusalem are preceded themselves by the messages of hope and consolation that the Lord will not abandon His people altogether.

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1     The list of dates and events is taken in part from the commentary by Charles Feinberg, "Jeremiah," in vol 6 of The Expositor's Bible Commentary, ed. Frank Gaebelein, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1986), p. 363.

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Copyright © 2000 by Lowell B. Hudson                                                                              Revised: 26 December, 2006
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