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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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Along with symbolic actions in Jeremiah, we find symbolic language. Jeremiah’s own calling comes by way of a play on words. God asks him what he sees, and Jeremiah says a branch of an almond tree (Jeremiah 1:11). Then God explains in the next verse that He is watching over His own word, to see that it is fulfilled. This only makes sense in Hebrew where the word for almond tree is shaqed and the word for watching diligently is shoqed. 

Another interesting piece of this imagery is the word “branch” (Hebrew, maqel). Maqel commonly refers to a shepherd’s rod or staff, both of which are made from tree branches. The scepters and staffs of ancient kings visually reinforced their identity as shepherds of their people. One of their pastoral roles was to diligently watch over their flocks.