Voices of Warning, Calls to Repentance, and Signs of Surrender

Be God's Glory
7 days ago
11 min read

Welcome to Day 231 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Jeremiah. In Jeremiah 25–27, the prophet delivers some of his most sobering warnings and symbolic acts to the people of Judah and the nations surrounding them. God’s patience had reached its limit after years of rebellion, idolatry, and disregard for His covenant. Jeremiah not only announces the coming judgment through Babylon’s rise to power but also illustrates God’s authority over kings and nations with symbolic actions like the yoke. These chapters reveal a God who is just in bringing judgment, merciful in providing warning, and sovereign in directing the course of history. Together, these passages emphasize the urgency of repentance, the inevitability of God’s word, and the hope that comes when people choose to align themselves with His will.

Jeremiah 25

In chapter 25, Jeremiah marks the twenty-third year of his prophetic ministry, reminding Judah that he had tirelessly proclaimed God’s call to repentance, but the people refused to listen. As a result, God declares that Babylon, under King Nebuchadnezzar, would be His instrument of judgment, bringing seventy years of captivity upon Judah. This prophecy reveals both God’s justice and His sovereignty, showing how He uses even pagan nations to accomplish His purposes. After the seventy years, God promises to punish Babylon itself, proving that no power is beyond His authority. Jeremiah also extends the warning beyond Judah, declaring that all nations who refuse God’s will must drink the “cup of wrath.” The chapter paints a sobering picture of God’s holiness—He cannot ignore persistent sin, yet His plan is purposeful and measured.

Jeremiah 26

Chapter 26 shifts to a specific moment early in Jehoiakim’s reign when Jeremiah is commanded to stand in the temple courtyard and deliver God’s urgent message. He warns that unless the people repent, the temple will become like Shiloh, a place abandoned by God’s presence. This declaration causes great uproar, with priests, prophets, and the people calling for Jeremiah’s death. Yet Jeremiah boldly stands firm, declaring he is only speaking God’s word and that killing him would bring innocent blood on their hands. Interestingly, elders and officials intervene, recalling how Hezekiah once heeded the prophet Micah’s warnings, and they spare Jeremiah’s life. This chapter highlights the tension between truth and opposition, showing how obedience to God’s word often provokes resistance but also reveals God’s protection over His faithful messenger.

Jeremiah 27

In chapter 27, Jeremiah performs a prophetic act by placing a yoke on his neck, symbolizing the submission of Judah and surrounding nations to Babylon. He declares that God has given Nebuchadnezzar dominion over many lands, including even the animals, to demonstrate His sovereign authority. Jeremiah warns the kings not to listen to false prophets who promise freedom, but to accept Babylon’s rule as part of God’s plan. The prophet makes it clear that resisting Babylon is not just political rebellion but spiritual disobedience to God. He also cautions against false assurances regarding the temple’s treasures, insisting that only by yielding to God’s discipline can the people live. This chapter underscores the call to surrender—not to human power ultimately, but to God’s will that works through history.

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 25

In Jeremiah 25, God’s character is revealed as both patient and just. For twenty-three years He allowed His prophet to speak, extending mercy and giving Judah countless opportunities to turn from idolatry and rebellion. Yet, when they refused to listen, God declared judgment through Babylon, showing that His holiness cannot ignore sin. God’s justice is never rushed; it is measured, purposeful, and ultimately serves His greater plan of redemption.

This chapter also emphasizes the sovereignty of the LORD of Hosts, who rules over nations and armies. By placing the nations under Babylon’s hand, God shows He is the commander of all earthly powers. The lesson is clear: God is in control of history, and even powerful kingdoms are instruments in His hand. We learn that ignoring His warnings leads to discipline, but His authority assures us that He is always working with purpose, even in judgment.

Jeremiah 26

In Jeremiah 26, God is shown as merciful and willing to relent if His people repent. Even when judgment is announced, He gives them an opportunity to turn back and avoid disaster. His character reflects His compassion, as He desires restoration more than destruction. Yet, He is also unwavering in truth, sending His prophet to speak boldly even at the risk of his life.

The Hebrew name emphasized here is again Yahweh — the covenant-keeping LORD who speaks directly through His prophet. The lesson from this chapter is that God’s word is unchanging, and those who heed it find mercy, while those who reject it invite judgment. He teaches us that obedience and humility before His word can turn situations around, but rebellion brings consequences. God shows us that courage in standing on His truth is necessary, even when it is unpopular.

Jeremiah 27

In Jeremiah 27, God’s character is revealed as sovereign ruler over the nations. He declares that He has given authority to Nebuchadnezzar, even calling him “My servant,” showing that no king or nation exists outside of His control. God’s character here is both authoritative and purposeful—His discipline is meant to bring His people to submission to His will rather than destruction.

The name used is again the LORD of Hosts, reminding us that He commands all powers in heaven and on earth. The lesson is that resisting God’s plan only leads to greater hardship, while surrendering to His will brings life. This teaches us the importance of yielding to God, even when His direction seems difficult, because His sovereignty is always aimed at fulfilling His purposes and preserving His people.

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?

What does God’s patience in Jeremiah 25, after 23 years of warning, reveal about His character?
How does God’s use of Babylon as an instrument of judgment reflect His sovereignty over nations?
In Jeremiah 26, how does God’s willingness to relent if the people repent show His mercy?
What does Jeremiah’s protection from death in chapter 26 teach us about God’s faithfulness to His servants?
In Jeremiah 27, what does it mean that God calls Nebuchadnezzar “My servant,” and how does this reflect God’s authority?
How do the titles “Yahweh” and (LORD of Hosts) highlight God’s covenant faithfulness and power?
How do these chapters together show the balance between God’s justice and mercy?

Questions About Themes:

What is the significance of the 70 years of captivity prophesied in Jeremiah 25?
How does the image of the “cup of wrath” in chapter 25 illustrate God’s judgment on nations?
In Jeremiah 26, what is the theme of obedience versus rejection of God’s word?
How does Jeremiah 26 highlight the cost of speaking truth when it is unpopular?
In Jeremiah 27, what does the yoke symbolize about submission to God’s plan?
How do these chapters challenge false security in religious symbols, such as the temple or temple treasures?
What recurring theme do we see about God’s word being resisted but ultimately proven true?

Reflective Application Questions:

In what areas of your life do you see God’s patience giving you time to repent or change?
How does knowing that God rules over nations and leaders affect the way you view current world events?
When have you struggled with obeying God’s word because it was unpopular or hard to accept, like the people in Jeremiah’s time?
How can you stand firm in truth like Jeremiah did, even when facing opposition?
What “yokes” has God allowed in your life that may be uncomfortable but are shaping you to depend on Him?
How do you guard yourself against listening to “false voices” today that promise an easier path but do not align with God’s word?
What steps can you take this week to surrender more fully to God’s will, trusting His sovereignty even in difficult seasons?

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