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Fall 2025: Judah, From Isaiah to Exile
Unit 2: Jeremiah and the Promise of Renewal

The second unit explores the prophetic career of Jeremiah, a prophet who lived during the worst of the Babylonian assault on Judah and Jerusalem. The Lord called Jeremiah to preach a harsh message to the people of Judah, one they wouldn’t heed (Jeremiah 26:8–9, 12–15; see lesson 5). Through the prophet, the Lord warned the people: “Reform your ways and your actions” (Jeremiah 7:3; see lesson 6). The people had repeatedly forsaken the covenant; therefore, Jeremiah warns that judgment is coming. As Jerusalem teeters on the brink of extinction, Jeremiah is given a word of hope: after punishment, God will bring the people back home. On that day, the law of God will no longer be written in stone but on the human heart (31:33; see lesson 8).

Lesson 5 Jeremiah’s Call and Arrest. Jeremiah 1:6–10; 26:8–9, 12–15
Jeremiah’s prophetic ministry began in 627 BC, about 70 years after Isaiah. He was a priest at Anathoth (Jeremiah 1:1), therefore from
the tribe of Levi and an educated person. About this time, the last great Assyrian king died, ending the dominance of this cruel nation over the people of Israel. But other foreign menaces came to dominate Judah: first Egypt, then Babylon. This climaxed in 586 BC when the armies of Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem and destroyed both the city walls and the temple (see 2 Kings 25:1, 8–11). Jeremiah’s career spanned the reigns of the last five kings of Judah before this catastrophe. Jeremiah is known as the “Mournful Prophet.” His name contributes to the English term “jeremiad,” a bitter railing against opponents. He is credited as the author of the book that bears his name as well as the book of Lamentations.

Lesson 6 Jeremiah’s Message. Jeremiah 7:1–11, 21–23
As mentioned in lesson 5, chapters 7 and 26 in the book of Jeremiah seem to be describing the same event, sometimes called the “Temple Sermon.” This is shortly after the death of King Josiah in a battle against the Egyptians in 609 BC (2 Kings 23:29). Various indicators suggest that Jeremiah’s message in today’s lesson was delivered early in the reign of King Jehoiakim (originally named Eliakim), son of Josiah (Jeremiah 1:3; 26:1). Jehoiakim had been installed by Pharaoh Necho as a vassal ruler who was required to pay a steep tribute to Egypt (2 Kings 23:34–35). Jehoiakim ruled for 11 years but was eventually exiled to Babylon after he rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar (2 Chronicles 36:5–6). Jehoiakim’s evil influence is evident in the nearly two dozen mentions of his name in the book of Jeremiah. By profession, Jeremiah was a priest who lived in the village of Anathoth (Jeremiah 1:1), about three miles northeast of Jerusalem. Regarding his appointment to be a prophet, see last week’s lesson. A trip from Anathoth to the temple would have taken him an hour or so. This made it possible for him to come quickly to the temple in his role as a prophet and deliver a message from the Lord.

Lesson 7 A Family’s Example. Jeremiah 35:5–11
Today’s lesson is the third in a series of five from the book of Jeremiah. The overall context is the same as those: Jeremiah’s 40-year prophetic ministry was to warn the people of Judah of God’s judgment to come at the hands of the Babylonians. This was to happen because of the Judeans’ sinfulness and rebellion against the Lord. Our Scripture text for today’s lesson records events that took place “during the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah,” which is the period 609–598 BC (Jeremiah 35:1). To understand the significance of this time frame, we should view it against the larger backdrop of three chronological pressure points of Babylonian
dominance in Palestine. Those three are the years 605, 597, and 586 BC; they are the years the Judeans were carried into exile in successive stages (2 Kings 24:1, 12; 25:1–21).

Lesson 8 Changes Promised. Jeremiah 31:29–34; John 1:17
The book of Jeremiah serves more as a collection of episodes rather than a linear chronology of his ministry. For example, the episode that begins in Jeremiah 32:1 occurs after the one that begins in chapter 36. Therefore we should not be surprised when tone and content change abruptly as the book moves from topic to topic. We see such an abrupt change as chapter 30 begins. The way Jeremiah organized his material has led some to call Jeremiah 30–33 the “Book of Consolation” because its theme gives hope that the Babylonian captivity is not the final word. Today’s text takes us into the vital heart of this Book. As we consider our text, we keep in mind how it fits within the larger context: God promised to make the exiles his people once again (Jeremiah 30:22), to return them to their land (32:41), and to establish once and for all time the Davidic dynasty as originally promised (30:9; 33:15–26). The overall theme of the Book of Consolation is: “I will restore their fortunes” (Jeremiah 32:44; see also 30:3, 18; 33:7, 26). The covenant theme of “You will be my people, and I will be your God” is also repeated (30:22; see also 31:1; 32:38). The seemingly incurable wound (30:12, 15) could be healed only by the Lord (30:17). Chapter 31 depicts the coming restoration as a time of great blessing, when mourning would be turned into joy (31:13).

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Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. To be spiritually mature is to show the fruit of the Spirit of Christ in our lives. These nine lessons from Old and New Testament passages highlight each quality and inspire us to nurture the Spirit’s fruit in our lives.

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1. Love – 1 John 4:7-16 REPLAY LESSON 1

2. Joy – Luke 24:33-53

3. Peace – Isaiah 43:1-7

4. Patience – Matthew 18:21-35

5. Kindness – 2 Samuel 9

6. Goodness – Psalm 107

7. Faithfulness – 2 Chronicles 20:1-30

8. Gentleness – 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

9. Self-Control – 1 Samuel 26

“Who are you when no one’s looking?”

When her people were threatened, Esther had to ask herself that question. Would she step out and risk her own life to try to save her fellow Israelites? Or she could “keep her head down” to wait out the threat in obscurity and safety?

This 9-week study leads you to examine the story of Esther. You’ll discover how godly character often develops under pressure. And you’ll discover ideas for living a godly life in the midst of contemporary pressures.