Outline of Jeremiah
Jeremiah is the second of the major writing prophets. He authored the books of Jeremiah and the small poetic book of Lamentations. He lived and prophesied
around 100 years after Isaiah beginning in 627 B.C. until around 586 B.C. The final chapter of the book apparently was added by a scribe detailing events
that most likely occurred after Jeremiah's death, around 560 B.C. Jeremiah began prophesying as a young man (Jeremiah 1:6). His prophetic ministry was not well
accepted. The king asked for his advice and then did the opposite. In fact, at one time the king read Jeremiah's prophecy, section by section, cutting them
out after they were read and throwing them in the fire that was on his hearth. The people asked for his advice and then did the opposite. The priests and
religious prophets hated him and threw him into a dungeon. Yet, the message Jeremiah proclaimed was ultimately the right one.
Jeremiah tells us much about the character of God in the first 35 chapters.
| Reference | Comment |
| Jeremiah 1:8, 19 | The presence of God is enough to withstand all enemies. |
| Jeremiah 2:13 | He is the fountain of living waters. |
| Jeremiah 3:12 | He is merciful |
| Jeremiah 4:28 | But there are times when He will not relent |
| Jeremiah 5:22 | We should tremble at His presence |
| Jeremiah 6:30 | God sometimes rejects people |
| Jeremiah 7:16; 11:14 | And does not even want prayer on their behalf |
| Jeremiah 8:7 | He is a God of judgment |
| Jeremiah 9:23-24 | He is the God who exercises lovingkindness, Judgment, and righteousness in the earth |
| Jeremiah 10:7 | He is the King of the nations |
| Jeremiah 10:10 | the living God, the everlasting King |
| Jeremiah 10:12, 16 | The Creator |
| Jeremiah 10:13 | The Sustainer |
| Jeremiah 11:20 | He tests the mind and the heart |
| Jeremiah 12:1 | He is righteous |
| Jeremiah 12:7 | He is endeared to His people |
| Jeremiah 13:16 | He should be glorified |
| Jeremiah 14:8 | He is the Hope of Israel |
| Jeremiah 15:6 | But He becomes weary of relenting |
| Jeremiah 16:17 | His eyes are on all their ways |
| Jeremiah 17:13 | He writes in the earth those who depart from Him |
| Jeremiah 18:6 | He is the potter |
| Jeremiah 19:3 | His judgments are notable |
| Jeremiah 20:11 | He is a mighty, awesome One |
| Jeremiah 20:12 | He tests the righteous |
| Jeremiah 21:8 | He gives a choice (life or death) |
| Jeremiah 22:24-26 | God will not endure sin, even with those close to Him |
| Jeremiah 23:4-5 | He will set up shepherds, a Branch of righteousness, and a King |
| Jeremiah 23:23-24 | He is omnipresent |
| Jeremiah 23:29 | His word is powerful |
| Jeremiah 24:9 | He will deliver some to trouble |
| Jeremiah 25:31 | He will plead with all flesh |
| Jeremiah 26:13 | God seeks for repentance |
| Jeremiah 27:5 | He gives the land to whomever it seems proper to Him |
| Jeremiah 28:16-17 | God's judgment sometimes is swift |
| Jeremiah 29:11-13 | God's thoughts for us are for peace and a future and a hope, and not for evil |
| Jeremiah 30:22 | God is looking for a people |
| Jeremiah 31:3 | He has loved us with an everlasting love |
| Jeremiah 32:17, 27 | there is nothing too difficult |
| Jeremiah 32:18 | He is the Great One |
| Jeremiah 32:19 | He is great in counsel and mighty in work |
| Jeremiah 33:11 | He is good |
| Jeremiah 34:13 | He sticks to His covenant |
| Jeremiah 35:18-19 | God blesses obedience |
And Jeremiah tells us much about the character of man as well.
| Reference | Comment |
| Jeremiah 2:23; 35 | Man does not know his own depravity |
| Jeremiah 4:4, 14 | Man needs to repent |
| Jeremiah 5:7 | When fed to the full, men commit adultery |
| Jeremiah 5:25 | Sin withholds good things from us |
| Jeremiah 5:30-31 | People love false prophecy |
| Jeremiah 6:16 | We should not stray from the old paths |
| Jeremiah 7:8 | We often trust in lying words |
| Jeremiah 7:23-27 | People will not obey |
| Jeremiah 8:9 | Without God's wisdom, people are without wisdom |
| Jeremiah 9:6 | They refuse to know God |
| Jeremiah 10:23-24 | Man does not direct his own steps |
| Jeremiah 11:15 | rejoice to do evil |
| Jeremiah 12:8 | Men are like lions crying out against God |
| Jeremiah 13:23 | It is impossible for those who are accustomed to evil to do good |
| Jeremiah 14:10 | Men love to wander and not discipline themselves |
| Jeremiah 15:10 | They curse God's servants |
| Jeremiah 16:11-12 | They just do worse and worse |
| Jeremiah 17:9 | The heart is weak above all |
| Jeremiah 17:14 | We need to be healed |
| Jeremiah 18:12 | Man thinks God's way is hopeless |
| Jeremiah 19:15 | Stiffening the neck to not hear |
| Jeremiah 20:7-8 | His people are derided |
| Jeremiah 21:13 | Do not realize impending doom |
| Jeremiah 22:13-17 | unrighteous and covetous people |
| Jeremiah 22:21 | Do not listen in prosperity |
| Jeremiah 23:17 | People like prophets who proclaim peace |
| Jeremiah 24:7 | He will give a heart to know Him to those who go His way |
| Jeremiah 25:15-38 | all nations shall be punished |
| Jeremiah 26:8 | the religious ones will try to kill the messenger |
| Jeremiah 27:9 | the religious ones may be telling lies |
| Jeremiah 28:15-16 | Lying prophets teach rebellion against God |
| Jeremiah 29:16-19 | Those who do not heed God's words will be punished |
| Jeremiah 29:24-28 | men want to persecute the prophet |
| Jeremiah 30:14 | Men forsake men in time of trouble |
| Jeremiah 31:22 | They wander about |
| Jeremiah 32:33-35 | they commit all types of abominations |
| Jeremiah 33:3 | We are encouraged to call |
| Jeremiah 34:16 | Men profaned God's name |
| Jeremiah 35:17 | Men don't obey God |
The book is strongly pro-life. Jeremiah 1:5; 20:17-18
The book centers on the rebellion of Israel and the coming judgment. A great deal of emphasis is placed on the fact that Israel has violated the covenant of God. Yet, God continues to call for repentance. But finally, God has enough, and the destruction falls.
Date: 627-586 B.C.
The Divisions
I. The call to ministry 1 II. Pronouncements against Judah 2-20
- The LORD's Complaint 2
- The Extension of Mercy 3-4:4
- The Statements of Judgment 4:5-6
- The people trust in deceit 7-9
- A description of God 10
- The Covenant's Been Broken 11
- Jeremiah's Question and the LORD's Answer 12
- Judgment without mercy 13-16
- The Sins of Judah 17-18
- The intensity of judgment 19
- Pashur's confrontation 20
- Against Jerusalem 21
- Agaisnt the Royal Line 22
- Against Religious Leaders 23
- The Two choices 24
- The 70 years and judgment on the nations 25
- The threat to Jeremiah 26
- The Yokes and Bonds 27-28
- The Letter of Encouragement to the Captives 29
- Restoration of Israel and Judah 30
- A New Covenant 31
- A Return to the Land 32
- The Voice of Joy 33
- With respect to slaves 34
- Example of the Rechabites 35
- The King and the scroll 36
- The vain hope in Egypt 37
- Jeremiah in the dungeon 38
- Jerusalem's fall 39
- Gedaliah, the governor 40
- Gedaliah's death 41
- Don't go to Egypt 42
- They went to Egypt 43
- Warning of Punishment in Egypt 44
- Blessing for Baruch 45
- On Egypt 46
- On Philistia 47
- On Moab 48
- On Ammon 49:1-6
- On Edom 49:7-22
- On Syria 49:23-27
- On Kedar (Arab) and Hazor 49:28-33
- On Elam (southwest Iran) 49:34-39
- On Babylon 50-51
Key Idea:
Disobedience Brings Judgment. Predominate phrase is "Thus says the LORD." It's found 139 times in Jeremiah. It's only found 123 times in the
rest of the Old Testament. The phrase "LORD of hosts", or "LORD of the armies," is found 72 times out of a total of 246 times in the Old Testament. God is speaking
as the God of the armies of the world.
Key Passage: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Key Lesson: Turn to God before His Judgment falls.
