WATCHTOWER - God’s Word for Us Through Jeremiah

1, 2. Why do you have confidence in what you read in the Bible?

THERE exists a friend sticking closer than a brother. () Have you experienced the truth of those inspired words? You can trust what a real friend says. When he tells you something good or explains what he will do, you believe it. If he points out something needing adjustment, you likely accept it and act accordingly. He has proved over time that he has your interests at heart, even when offering you counsel. He wants you to succeed, and you want the same for him so that your friendship will last.

2 In many respects, you find such friends in the men whom God used to write the books of the Bible. What you hear from them, you can believe. You are sure that what they say is for your good. The ancient Israelites should have felt that way about the men [who] spoke from God as they were borne along by holy spirit. () The one whom God used to write the largest prophetic book was Jeremiah, who also wrote Lamentations and two other Bible books.

3, 4. How do some people view the books of Jeremiah and Lamentations, but why is that a misconception? Illustrate.

3 You may have noted, though, that some Bible readers tend to view Jeremiahs writings as not for them. They may imagine that the books of Jeremiah and Lamentations offer only dire warnings and grim predictions. But is that a realistic view of Jeremiah and Lamentations?

4 Granted, what Jeremiah wrote presents frank assessments, yet you know that at times a friend also does that. Even Jesus spoke out when his friends, the apostles, displayed wrong attitudes; he plainly corrected them. (.

5. How can we benefit from Jeremiahs writings?

5 Both our present happiness among Gods people and our prospects for the future are linked to things that Jeremiah wrote. Our unified brotherhood is an example. His writings will help us to strengthen that brotherhood and to apply the apostle Pauls counsel: Brothers, continue to rejoice, to be readjusted, to be comforted, to think in agreement, to live peaceably; and the God of love and of peace will be with you. (.

6, 7. Why can we be sure that God was interested in Jeremiah, and into what situation was he born?

6 A husband and wife awaiting the birth of a child think often about their future son (or daughter). What will he be like, and what will he do in lifehis interests, career, and accomplishments? Your parents likely thought about those things. It must have been similar with Jeremiahs parents. However, his case was special. Why? The Creator of the universe was particularly interested in Jeremiahs life and activities.Read.

7 Yes, before Jeremiah was born, God used His foreknowledge. He took special interest in a boy who would be born into a priestly family living north of Jerusalem. That was in the middle of the seventh century B.C.E., not a happy time in Judah because of the bad rulership of King Manasseh. (See page 19.) During much of his 55-year reign, Manasseh did what was bad in Jehovahs eyes. Thereafter, his son Amon followed a similar course. (.

Why do you have reason to be interested in the books of Jeremiah and Lamentations?

8. What was Jeremiah commissioned to be, and how did he react?

8 We do not know Jeremiahs age when God told him: Prophet to the nations I made you. He might have been close to 25 years old, the age at which a priest could enter the first phase of his service. () He felt reluctant, perhaps thinking he was too young or unqualified for the serious responsibility and the public speaking required of a prophet.

9, 10. Under what circumstances did Jeremiah take up his commission, but why, in time, did his assignment prove to be daunting?

9 Jeremiah was commissioned during the time when King Josiah was eliminating detestable false worship and promoting true worship. However much interaction there was between Jeremiah and Josiah, the climate was clearly favorable for a true prophet. Zephaniah and Nahum also served in Judah early in Josiahs rule.) In fact, at times, such friends as Ebed-melech and Baruch had to rescue Jeremiah from certain death or protect him from vengeful enemies.

10 How would you feel if God said that you were specially commissioned as a prophet to deliver a strong message? (Read.

11. Why might Jeremiah have found it difficult yet reassuring to carry out his assignment?

11 Imagine that we had to deliver scathing denunciations and judgments against wicked kings, corrupt priests, and false prophets. Jeremiah had to do so. But we have Gods backing, and so did Jeremiah. (.

12. What are some reasons why we can identify with Jeremiah?

12 No one need think of Jeremiah as some incredibly formidable person. He was a human like us. Moreover, it is significant that though Jeremiah lived in another era, he faced situations similar to those we face. We interact with various types of people in our daily life and congregation activities, even as Jeremiah interacted with those around him. This all relates to what we might learn from Jeremiah, who, similar to the prophet Elijah, was a man with feelings like ours. () Consider some examples of what we can learn from Jeremiah.

13, 14. Why may some Christians relate to Jeremiahs experience with Pashhur, as depicted on page 10?

13 Over the years, have you not had ups and downs? So did Jeremiah. On one occasion Pashhur, a prominent priest, assaulted Jeremiah and had him put in stocks. For hours, he was confined in a wooden frame that may have held his feet, hands, and neck, forcing him into a distorted posture. In addition to the pain, he must have had to endure ridicule heaped on him by opposers. Do you think that you could bear up under malicious ridicule, even physical mistreatment?.

14 Given Jeremiahs situation, it is not surprising that he felt moved to say: Cursed be the day on which I was born!... Why is it that I have come forth from the very womb in order to see hard work and grief and that my days should come to their end in mere shame? () Clearly, he knew what despair was. Have you ever felt so despondent that you doubted your worth, what you were accomplishing, or even whether there was much point in going on? All who have ever had such feelings can benefit from a better understanding of Jeremiahs experiences and of how things worked out for him.