Jeremiah / Lamentations for Beginners
Prophecy, Suffering and Hope for Troubled Times
By: Mike Mazzalongo
The books of Jeremiah and Lamentations provide a powerful account of God's justice, judgment, and faithfulness in the face of persistent rebellion. Jeremiah delivers a sobering message of impending destruction due to Judah's sin while also offering hope through a promise of a New Covenant. Lamentations, written after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC, is a poetic expression of grief over the city's destruction while affirming God's enduring mercy and hope of restoration.
Introduction to Jeremiah / Lamentations
In this opening lesson, we will examine the prophet Jeremiah's background as well as his call to ministry and the historical, political, and thematic elements of his time. There will also be some introductory material about Jeremiah's companion book of Lamentations.
Jeremiah's Call and Missions
In this lesson we will focus on Jeremiah's calling into ministry, God's assurance that He will provide for the task Jeremiah will be given to carry out and the prophetic role in encouraging people to trust and obey God, even in difficult circumstances.
Israel's Unfaithfulness and God's Judgment
In this lesson we explore the familiar theme of Israel's unfaithfulness witnessed by their gross idolatry, God's sure judgment and call for repentance as well as His abundant mercy available for those who repent.
Temple Sermon and the People's Rejection
This lesson focuses on Jeremiah's bold rebuke of those who thought that the physical presence of the Temple in Jerusalem would protest them despite Jeremiah's warnings of God's imminent punishment due to their disobedience.
The Potter's House, Judah's Broken Covenant, and the Fate of Its Kings
In this lesson we see Jeremiah's continued warnings of God's impending judgment on unrepentant Judah and the sad ending of its last rulers.
Confronting False Prophets
In this lesson we see Jeremiah transmit God's indictment against the false prophets and leaders who led Israel away.
The New Covenant: The Judgment and Fall of Jerusalem
In this lesson we will see two amazing realities presented side by side separated only by time: Judgment in the final destruction of Jerusalem, and hope in the form of the New Covenant ushered in by the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Jeremiah's Final Years and Flight to Egypt
This lesson looks at the conditions and actions of the people of Judah and their faithful prophet Jeremiah after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC.
The Book of Lamentations: Mourning Over Jerusalem's Fall
This final lesson focuses on the book of Lamentations which is a collection of five poetic laments that express Jeremiah's sorrow over the fall of the city of Jerusalem and the punishment of the Jewish nation.