Jeremiah ben Helkiah of Anathoth was a boy of 12 when God spoke to him. "I chose you before I formed you in the womb. I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:5 Hilkiah was a priest and Jeremiah would follow in his father's footsteps.
Although he was called by God to speak warnings of destruction over Judah, his early years were happy ones. He served first in the reign of Josiah, King of Judah. Josiah became king at age 8 and began a 31 year rule. King Josiah tried to walk in the ways of his ancestor, King David and did much to restore the temple and it's practices and to deter pagan worship. When he was 26, the priest Hilkiah, likely Jeremiah's father, sent King Josiah a scroll that had been found in the temple when they were restoring it. On reading what scholars believe was the scroll of The Book of Deuteronomy, Josiah was convicted in spirit. He sent for the priest and prophets and inquired of the Lord what he should do.
The Lord spoke through the Prophetess Huldah to Josiah and told him that while the destruction which Isaiah had prophesied upon the nation would indeed come true, He would withhold it during Josiah's days because he had humbled himself and grieved when he heard the words of the scroll read.
For the first time in many years, the Jews commemorated Passover once more. Josiah worked diligently to remove all pagan altars, symbols and practices. Under his rule the land of Judah was once more a land that worshipped God.
At age 39, Josiah went into battle with King Neco of Egypt who was allied with the Assyrians. Josiah was killed in that battle.
Jeremiah was deeply grieved over the death of Josiah, who had not only been his King but near his own age. It seems to have been a personal loss to him. Perhaps because they both loved the Lord God. Perhaps they had known each other as well as a King and subject might know one another. Perhaps it was simply the love of a loyal man for the King he served. Perhaps it was a grief combined with the knowledge of what was coming ahead for Judah.
Though the people chose a king of their own from among the common people, King Neco placed his own chosen king on the throne. Jehoahaz, a son of Josiah was not a good king. His rule lasted only 3 months. King Neco was so displeased with him that he put him in prison.
King Neco then placed Eliakim, another son of Josiah, on the throne and changed his name to Jehoiakim. King Neco took Jehohaz to Egypt and imprisoned him there. He imposed a fine on the land of Judah, which Eliakim paid in silver and gold. King Neco instructed Eliakim to tax the land., so that the common men had to pay it.
When he had served only three months, Judah was invaded by Babylon. Jehoiakim surrendered the country. He served as a King, but in name only. He was no more than a subordinate to King Nebuchadnezzar. In Jehoiakim's time, the deportation of the Jewish people to Babylon began.
Jeremiah's messages from God had always been of the destruction of Judah and as his messages became more and more fervent through the years he became less and less popular with priests, friends, family and most certainly with the rulers. He was refused the right to marry. No one would consent to give their daughter to this man who seemed at times half crazed and who spent his time .
He was beaten and imprisoned . He was at one time thrown into a deep pit of mud to drown and die. He was rescued but remained a prisoner, often out in the open, exposed to the elements. At times, his weeping was not just sorrow for the fate of Israel but for his own fate. He railed and cried out against God at his misfortunes.
Eventually, a king of Judah rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Babylon laid siege to the city of Judah and won it. King Zedekiah was forced to watch as his sons were all put to death. Then his own eyes were put out. He was sent to Babylon as a slave.
The city and Temple were burned and the Temple was raided of all it's silver and gold, and bronze articles used in service to God.
Jeremiah served under two more kings before he was taken by one of the Judean King's servants, as a prisoner, and against his will, to Egypt where he died, but he continued to prophesy until his death. Jeremiah's ultimate call to the people of Judah was to return to God.
song: Return to God Marty Haugen
Jeremiah 31:33New International Version
33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel
after that time,” declares the Lord.
“I will put my law in their minds
and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
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