Fall 2026            Jeremiah 18–25

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Introduction  

Jeremiah 18–25 is comprised of three units, chapters 18–20, 21–24, and 25. In chapters 18–20, Jeremiah warns that the Lord is about to bring disaster upon Judah because of her ongoing rebelliousness. Judah has been ignoring Jeremiah’s warnings, supposing that God’s promises to bless the nation are irrevocable. The grim reality is that Judah is a piece of clay in a potter’s hands. If the clay article isn’t turning out the way the potter hoped, he can squeeze the clay into a new lump and start over. Judah’s failure to be who they were supposed to be yields God’s judgment. Their rejection of the prophetic word has an impact on the prophet as well: Jeremiah’s final three laments appear in these chapters (18:18–23; 20:7–13; 20:14–18).

 

In chapters 21–24, Jeremiah zeroes in on Judah’s kings and false prophets. Judah assumes that God will shield the royal line of David from harm, no matter what. However, Judah’s kings are failing to provide righteousness and justice for the people. They mistreat resident aliens, orphans, and widows. They murder the innocent and worship false gods. For these and other self-serving sins, the kings, Jehoahaz (Shallum), Jehoiakim, Jehoiakin (Coniah), and Zedekiah, will each be taken into captivity never to return.

 

Jeremiah 25 brings the first half of Jeremiah to a close. The prophet confronts the people for their refusal to listen to him—for twenty-three long years now! The die has been cast; Judah’s doom is set. Nebuchadnezzar will destroy the nation. Seventy years of servitude to Babylon are decreed. Then, after the seventy years, God’s judgment will fall upon Babylon and, in fact, upon all the nations of the world. This universal judgment foreshadows the wrath to be outpoured on the wicked from all nations at Christ’s return. 

 

A more explicit reference to Christ appears in chapter 23. God will raise up for David a righteous Branch. But how is it that such a rebellious people can even continue to exist any longer? There is but one solution. In the remarkable generosity of God, the Branch will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness."

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Schedule  

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Oct 11      Jeremiah 18                      I went down to the potter's house.                                     Stefan Matzal

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Oct 18     Jeremiah 19                      Break the flask.                                                            Nathaniel Jackson

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Oct 25    Reformation Sunday Pulpit Exchange                   Pastor Yong Rhee, River of Joy Baptist Church

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Nov 1      Jeremiah 20                     I have become a laughingstock.                                         Stefan Matzal

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Nov 8     Jeremiah 21:1—22:9         I myself will fight against you.                                      Nathaniel Jackson

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Nov 15    Jeremiah 22:10–30         He shall return here no more.                                              Stefan Matzal

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Nov 22   Jeremiah 23:1–8              I will raise up for David a righteous Branch.               Nathaniel Jackson

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Nov 29   Jeremiah 23:9–40           Is not my word like fire?                                                       Stefan Matzal

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Dec 6     Jeremiah 24                     Two baskets of figs.                                                     Nathaniel Jackson

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Dec 13    Jeremiah 25                     After seventy years are completed.                                   Stefan Matzal

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Dec 20   Christmas Sunday                                                                                                 Nathaniel Jackson

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Dec 27   New Year’s Sunday                                                                                                       Stefan Matzal

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 The Eldership: October 2026