A Call to Courage, a Plea for Faithfulness: God’s Heart for His People

Be God's Glory
Aug 11
10 min read

Welcome to Day 223 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Jeremiah. These opening chapters set the stage for Jeremiah’s prophetic ministry during a time of deep spiritual decay in Judah. God calls Jeremiah from his youth, assuring him of divine protection and authority to speak His words. The Lord immediately confronts the nation’s sin, likening Israel’s abandonment of Him to a wife leaving her husband for other lovers. Through vivid imagery and direct accusations, God exposes their idolatry, covenant-breaking, and false sense of security. Yet, woven throughout these chapters is an urgent call for repentance and restoration, revealing both the severity of God’s judgment and the depth of His mercy. The message is clear: return to the Lord wholeheartedly, and He will heal and restore.

Jeremiah 1

Jeremiah 1 opens with God’s personal call to the young prophet during the reign of King Josiah. God reminds Jeremiah that He knew, formed, and appointed him as a prophet to the nations before he was even born, affirming divine sovereignty over Jeremiah’s life and mission. Initially, Jeremiah hesitates, claiming he is too young and unskilled to speak, but God rebukes his fear, promising His presence and protection. God touches Jeremiah’s mouth, symbolically placing His words there, and gives him authority to uproot and tear down, as well as to build and plant—representing both judgment and restoration. Two visions follow: an almond branch, symbolizing God’s readiness to fulfill His word, and a boiling pot tilting from the north, foretelling impending judgment from northern nations. The chapter closes with God warning Jeremiah of opposition but assuring him that He will make him “a fortified city” against all who resist His word.

Jeremiah 2

In Jeremiah 2, God recalls the devotion Israel once had as a young bride who followed Him into the wilderness, but laments how they quickly turned away to worship worthless idols. Through a series of rhetorical questions and vivid imagery, God exposes the nation’s spiritual betrayal, comparing it to a spring of living water being forsaken for cracked cisterns that hold no water. The priests, leaders, and prophets alike have abandoned God, leading the people into corruption. Israel’s alliances with foreign nations like Egypt and Assyria are portrayed as vain attempts at security, bringing shame instead of deliverance. The chapter underscores that their suffering is the direct result of forsaking God, and their stubborn refusal to acknowledge guilt reveals a hardened heart toward repentance.

Jeremiah 3

Jeremiah 3 begins with the imagery of a husband whose wife has left him for many lovers—according to the law, reconciliation would be unthinkable—yet God calls adulterous Israel to return to Him. He exposes Judah’s hypocrisy, noting that despite witnessing Israel’s downfall, they too have committed spiritual adultery without shame. God declares that genuine repentance must come from the heart, not from empty words. The chapter shifts to a future promise: God envisions a time when Israel and Judah will be reunited under His leadership, no longer obsessed with outward symbols like the Ark of the Covenant but living in the reality of His presence. The chapter closes with God’s tender plea for His children to return so He can heal their waywardness, affirming that restoration is possible if they sincerely turn back to Him.

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The name Jeremiah comes from the Hebrew Yirmĕyāhû or Yirmĕyāh, meaning “Yahweh will exalt,” “Yahweh appoints,” or “The Lord establishes.” This meaning reflects Jeremiah’s prophetic calling, as God appointed him before his birth to be “a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). The name itself is a prophetic statement of God’s sovereignty and purpose in raising up His messengers.

Purpose of the Book:

The Book of Jeremiah serves as both a record of God’s judgment and His invitation to repentance. Written during a time of national decline in Judah (late 7th to early 6th century B.C.), its purpose is to:

Warn Judah of the coming Babylonian invasion as a consequence of their covenant unfaithfulness.
Call the people to repentance, offering them the hope of restoration if they return to God.
Explain the fall of Jerusalem and the exile as part of God’s sovereign plan.
Provide hope for the future, pointing toward a new covenant where God’s law would be written on the hearts of His people (Jeremiah 31:31–34).

It is both a book of judgment and a book of hope—showing God’s justice in punishing sin and His mercy in promising restoration.

Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:

The prophet Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, is credited as the author of the book, with assistance from his scribe Baruch son of Neriah.

Biblical evidence for Jeremiah as the author includes:

Jeremiah 1:1–2 – Clearly identifies Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, as the prophet who received the words of the Lord.
Jeremiah 36:1–4 – God commands Jeremiah to dictate His words to Baruch, who writes them down on a scroll.
Jeremiah 36:32 – After King Jehoiakim burns the first scroll, Jeremiah dictates the same words again to Baruch, along with additional messages.
2 Chronicles 35:25 – Mentions Jeremiah writing laments for King Josiah.
Daniel 9:2 – Refers to “the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet” as authoritative Scripture, confirming early recognition of his writings.

External historical sources also support Jeremiah’s authorship:

The Babylonian Talmud (Baba Bathra 14b–15a) lists Jeremiah as the author of his prophetic book, the Book of Kings, and Lamentations.
Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 10, Chapter 5) records Jeremiah as the prophet who warned of Jerusalem’s fall and wrote about it.
Ancient Septuagint manuscripts (Greek translation of the Old Testament, 3rd–2nd century B.C.) attribute the prophecies to Jeremiah, though in slightly different order than the Hebrew text.

Key People:

Jeremiah – The “weeping prophet,” called by God to warn Judah of coming judgment and to urge repentance.
Baruch son of Neriah – Jeremiah’s faithful scribe who recorded and preserved his messages.
King Josiah – The last godly king of Judah, under whom Jeremiah began his ministry.
King Jehoiakim – Rejected Jeremiah’s warnings and burned his prophetic scroll.
King Zedekiah – The last king of Judah before the Babylonian exile; vacillated between listening to Jeremiah and fearing his officials.
Nebuchadnezzar – King of Babylon who conquered Jerusalem and carried the people into exile.
Ebed-Melek – An Ethiopian court official who rescued Jeremiah from a cistern.
False prophets like Hananiah – Opposed Jeremiah’s message, promising peace when judgment was coming.

Conclusion

The Book of Jeremiah ends with the tragic reality of Jerusalem’s destruction and Judah’s exile to Babylon (chapters 39–52), fulfilling the very warnings Jeremiah proclaimed for decades. Yet, it is not a message of despair—it also points forward to God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises. The prophecies of a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34) and future restoration reveal God’s ultimate plan to redeem His people. Jeremiah’s ministry demonstrates that God’s word is unchanging, His justice is certain, and His mercy is always available to those who return to Him with a sincere heart. Even in judgment, God is working for the good of His people and the fulfillment of His redemptive purposes.

What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

Jeremiah 1

In Jeremiah 1, God reveals Himself as sovereign, purposeful, and personal. He declares that He knew Jeremiah before he was formed in the womb, showing His intimate involvement in human life and His authority to appoint individuals to specific missions. God is also encouraging and empowering, promising His presence to strengthen Jeremiah against opposition. This shows a God who not only calls but also equips and protects His servants.

The name YHWH (Yahweh), meaning “The LORD,” is prominent in this chapter, emphasizing His eternal, covenant-keeping nature. God teaches that His plans are established before birth and that no excuse—whether youth, fear, or inexperience—can stand against His calling. The lesson is that obedience and trust in God’s presence outweigh our human limitations, for His purpose will prevail when we walk in faith.

Jeremiah 2

In Jeremiah 2, God is portrayed as a faithful husband and provider who grieves over His people’s unfaithfulness. He is righteous in judgment, yet deeply emotional in His longing for His people to return. His character here shows both justice and compassion—He does not ignore sin, but His accusations are rooted in love and a desire for restoration.

God reminds Israel of their early devotion, contrasting it with their present idolatry. The lesson is that spiritual drift begins when we take our eyes off the One who saves and sustains us. God calls His people to remember His goodness, reject empty substitutes, and return to the source of living water—Himself.

Jeremiah 3

In Jeremiah 3, God reveals Himself as merciful, patient, and ready to forgive even the most severe betrayal. Though Israel’s spiritual adultery should, by human standards, end the relationship, God invites them to return. His character radiates grace—He is willing to heal and restore if His people repent sincerely.

God shows that repentance is not about empty words but about a genuine change of heart. He promises future unity and blessing if the people will turn back to Him wholeheartedly. The lesson is that no matter how far we have strayed, God’s mercy can meet us there—restoration is always possible when we truly return to Him.

Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

Questions:

Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?

In Jeremiah 1, how does God’s statement that He knew Jeremiah before birth shape your understanding of His sovereignty?
What does God’s promise of His presence in Jeremiah 1 reveal about His faithfulness to those He calls?
In Jeremiah 2, how does God’s grief over Israel’s unfaithfulness reflect His deep love and commitment to His people?
How does the image of God as the “fountain of living waters” in Jeremiah 2 show His role as the source of true life and satisfaction?
In Jeremiah 3, what does God’s willingness to invite back an unfaithful people teach us about His mercy?
How do these chapters together reveal God’s balance between justice and compassion?
How does God’s patience in these passages encourage you when you fall short?

Questions About Themes:

How does God’s calling of Jeremiah demonstrate the theme of divine purpose and preparation?
What warnings do these chapters give about trusting in false sources of security (e.g., idols, alliances, human wisdom)?
How is the theme of covenant faithfulness central to the message of Jeremiah 1–3?
What role does repentance play in God’s plan for restoration in these chapters?
How does the imagery of marriage in Jeremiah 2–3 deepen the seriousness of Israel’s sin?
In what ways do these chapters show that obedience often requires courage in the face of opposition?
How is hope woven into the warnings of judgment in these chapters?

Reflective Application Questions:

What excuses or fears have you used to resist God’s calling, and how does Jeremiah’s example challenge you?
In what areas of your life have you been drinking from “broken cisterns” instead of going to God as the living water?
How can you be more attentive to remembering God’s past faithfulness in your own spiritual walk?
Where might God be calling you to speak His truth even if it is unpopular?
How can you take practical steps to show genuine repentance rather than offering God empty words?
In what ways does God’s readiness to forgive motivate you to return to Him daily?
How can you actively build a deeper relationship with God so that you don’t drift into spiritual complacency?

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans