Reading for July 30th

 Read Jeremiah 20.1-6.  In 20.1-6: Jeremiah's captivity. The book does not yet report the invasion of Jerusalem but instead, portrays the disaster symbolically. Jeremiah himself is captured in the Temple by the high priest. In verses 4-6: That event becomes the occasion for Jeremiah's announcement that Babylon, mentioned for the first time in the book, will invade and destroy Judah and that the high priest and his supporters will go into captivity. Comments or Questions..

Reading for July 29th

 Read Jeremiah 19.1-15. In 19.1-15: The broken pot. Jeremiah performs a symbolic action in which he breaks an earthenware jug in front of the elders and priests to represent the nation. He summarizes their idolatries, their sins, and their refusals to listen. In verse 15; Then he announces the fulfillment of the long promised disaster. Comments or Questions..

Reading for July 28th

 Read Jeremiah 18.18-23. In 18.18-23: Jeremiah's fourth confession. In verse 18: Enemies of Jeremiah speak in a prose comment that illustrates the community's failure to repent. In verses 19-20: Jeremiah reminds God of how faithful Jeremiah has been to his prophetic mission. In verses 21-23: He asks God to punish the enemies who try to kill him. The prophet's enemies are the enemies of God because they refuse to hear the divine word that the prophet claims to speak. Comments or Questions..

Reading for July 27th

 Read Jeremiah 18.13-17. In 18.13-17: God's response. God laments their idolatry and turns from them. Comments or Questions..

Reading for July 26th

 Captivity

In chs. 18-20: These chapters mark a climax in the first part of the book and are more closely woven than previous sections. In them threats of captivity and disaster come to a symbolic fulfillment. After relentless efforts by God and Jeremiah to bring the nation to repentance, punishment comes upon them. 

Read Jeremiah 18.1- 12. In 18.1-12: The potter. Prose narrative describes Jeremiah's visit to the potter. The potter makes a vessel that he dislikes, so he destroys it and starts again. In verse 11: This action becomes symbolic of God's plan for Israel and occasions a final invitation to repent. In verse 12: The people adamantly refuse to repent. Comments or Questions..

Reading for July 25th

Read Jeremiah 17.19-27. In 17.19-27: Sabbath sermon. In this prose passage, God directs Jeremiah to announce to the leadership the absolute necessity of keeping sabbath law. They are not to carry burdens or do work, and they must heed divine commands. If they fail, then Jerusalem will be destroyed by fire. This sermon explains again that the exile did not occur because God's cruelty or forgetfulness but resulted from the community's failure to be faithful. Comments or Questions.. 

Reading for July 24th

 Read Jeremiah 17.14-18. In 17.14-18: Jeremiah's third confession. Jeremiah is less accusatory of God here than in the previous confessions and asks for healing of his wound. In verse 15: He quotes his enemies, who doubt that he speaks the word of God because it has not come true. He asks God to take vengeance against them. Comments or Questions..