Topical Bible: Christian Minister: Faithful: Jeremiah

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Jeremiah, often referred to as the "Weeping Prophet," stands as a profound example of faithfulness in ministry amidst adversity. His life and prophetic ministry are chronicled in the Book of Jeremiah, which is part of the Old Testament canon. Jeremiah's ministry spanned approximately forty years, during the reigns of the last five kings of Judah, from Josiah to Zedekiah, a period marked by political turmoil and spiritual decline.

Calling and Commissioning

Jeremiah's call to ministry is vividly described in Jeremiah 1:4-10. The Lord declares, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations" (Jeremiah 1:5). Despite his initial reluctance, citing his youth and inexperience, God reassures him, saying, "Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you" (Jeremiah 1:8). This divine commissioning underscores the sovereignty of God in choosing and equipping His servants for His purposes.

Message and Ministry

Jeremiah's primary message was one of impending judgment due to the persistent sin and idolatry of Judah. He called the people to repentance, warning them of the consequences of their covenant unfaithfulness. His prophecies included the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile, as seen in Jeremiah 25:11, "This whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years" .

Despite the harshness of his message, Jeremiah also conveyed hope and restoration. He prophesied the coming of a new covenant, a theme that resonates with the New Testament understanding of salvation through Christ. In Jeremiah 31:31-34, the Lord promises, "I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah" , highlighting a future where God's law would be written on the hearts of His people.

Suffering and Perseverance

Jeremiah's ministry was marked by significant personal suffering. He faced opposition, mockery, and persecution from his own people, including religious leaders and kings. He was beaten, imprisoned, and even thrown into a cistern (Jeremiah 38:6). Despite these trials, Jeremiah remained steadfast in his mission, embodying the essence of faithfulness. His lamentations and prayers reveal a deep, personal relationship with God, characterized by honesty and trust.

Legacy and Influence

Jeremiah's faithfulness serves as an enduring model for Christian ministers. His life exemplifies obedience to God's call, even when it leads to personal cost. His prophecies not only addressed the immediate context of Judah but also pointed to the ultimate redemption through Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of the new covenant.

Jeremiah's influence extends beyond his own time, as his writings continue to speak to the Church today. His unwavering commitment to God's truth, his compassion for his people, and his hope in God's promises inspire believers to remain faithful in their own ministries, regardless of the challenges they may face.

Nave's Topical Index

Jeremiah 17:16
As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow you: neither have I desired the woeful day; you know: that which came out of my lips was right before you.
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Jeremiah 26:1-15
In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word from the LORD, saying,
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Jeremiah 28:1
And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, and in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which was of Gibeon, spoke to me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying,
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Jeremiah 37:9,10,16-18
Thus said the LORD; Deceive not yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us: for they shall not depart.
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Library

Christian Behavior
... who have been astonished that a faithful minister has not ... to believe it ourselves:
'This is a faithful saying, and ... to wit, That the heart of a Christian is a ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christian behavior.htm

Storming the Battlements
... for they are not the Lord's.""Jeremiah 5:10. ... the head of the church, and leader of
the faithful. ... the city is not yet taken: the Christian minister, under the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/storming the battlements.htm

Directions to Awakened Sinners.
... Jeremiah 4:3. For righteousness has no fellowship with ... study the writings of those
faithful servants of ... with such: and every truly Christian minister will be ...
/.../practical discourses on regeneration/discourse ix directions to awakened.htm

The Wailing of Risca
... You see yonder Christian man, he is full of a thousand ... of gratitude, re-tuned by
the one faithful heart, send ... What the minister said to me is true; the things ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/the wailing of risca.htm

Hymns of Christian Devotion and Experience.
... of this hymn of worshiping ardor and exalted Christian love was an English Baptist
minister, the Rev ... July 17, 1799, at the end of a faithful ministry there ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter iii hymns of christian.htm

Concerning Christian Liberty
... The Christian must therefore walk in the middle path, and ... attention to these things,
therefore the minister of Christ must be prudent and faithful in so ...
/.../luther/concerning christian liberty/concerning christian liberty.htm

Concerning Christian Liberty
... The Christian must therefore walk in the middle path, and ... attention to these things;
therefore the minister of Christ must be prudent and faithful in so ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/concerning christian liberty.htm

A Preservative against Unsettled Notions, and Want of Principles ...
... When a minister of thy word perverts it to overthrow thy ... and lead them to that love
of Christian perfection which ... O how is the faithful city become an harlot! ...
/.../a preservative against unsettled notions.htm

The Life of Mr. John Brown.
... time before his death, he was admitted minister of the ... The ordination of faithful
Mr. Richard Cameron seems to have ... end of the year 1679) was from Jeremiah 2:35 ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr john 11.htm

Sacred Poems and Hymns
... Efficacy of united and faithful Prayer. ... On the Decease of an eminent Christian
Missionary in the West Indies. ... On the Appointment of a Minister.--Phil. ii. 29. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/