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Jeremiah and Lamentations: Babylonian Crisis

  1. Lesson One
    The Prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1–6, 26–29, 35–38)
    19 Activities
    |
    4 Assessments
  2. Lesson Two
    Jeremiah: Idolatry and Anguish (Jeremiah 39–51)
    20 Activities
  3. Lesson Three
    Jeremiah: Shame and Dignity (Jeremiah 7–20)
    21 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  4. Lesson Four
    Jeremiah: A Future Hope (Jeremiah 21–25, 30–34)
    21 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  5. Lesson Five
    Lamentations
    21 Activities
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

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After YHWH promises to break the yoke on the peoples’ necks (Jeremiah 30:8), He commands the people to “Fear not”: 

“Fear not, O Jacob My servant,” declares the LORD,
“And do not be dismayed, O Israel;
For behold, I will save you from afar
And your offspring from the land of their captivity.
And Jacob will return and will be quiet and at ease,
And no one will make him afraid.
For I am with you,” declares the LORD, “to save you.”
Jeremiah 30:10-11 NASB

This type of divine reassurance was not uncommon in the ancient Near East. The eighth century inscription below involves the King of Hamath and a local deity:

Do not be afraid! Since I have made (you king, I will stand) beside you. I will save you from all (these kings who) have besieged you.

We have a similar oracle from the seventh century to Assyrian King Esarhaddon (680-669 BC):

Fear not, Esarhaddon! I, the god Bel, am speaking to you. I watch over your inner heart as would your mother who brought you forth. Sixty great gods are standing together with me and protect you. 

Another oracle from the seventh century is directed to Esarhaddon’s son, Ashurbanipal (688-627 BC):

The goddess Ishtar heard my anxious sighs and said, “Fear not!” and gave me confidence (saying), “Since you have lifted your hands in prayer and your eyes have filled with tears, I have had mercy.”

With parallels like this we’re reminded that while the God of the Bible is unique, the needs of humanity are constant. The main difference between the passage in Jeremiah and these regarding other gods is the fact that the biblical assurance is not directed at the ruling course. God isn’t speaking to the king, but to all of His people. And in the biblical passage, the king is not even involved as a mediator for this word from YHWH. It comes through a weeping prophet who demands repentance and clean hearts in return.

Ancient texts quoted from: Jack R. Lundbom, Jeremiah 21–36, 2004, pp. 390-391.