Jeremiah (650-570 BC) was known as the Weeping Prophet. Jeremiah began his ministry in 626 BC. Though reluctant that he was too young, God called him and appointed him as prophet over nations.
1) Warning: Jeremiah called the Nation of Judah to repent from sins and hypocrisy. “Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, make offerings to Baal, and go after other gods that you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, ‘We are delivered!’—only to go on doing all these abominations? (Jeremiah 17:9-10)
2) Prophesized Exile: Jeremiah prophesied that God will send Babylonians from the North under Nebuchadnezzar and take the Jews as captives to Babylon. (Jeremiah 25:11)
3) Lamented for the ruined city: As predicted Nebuchadnezzar came; the city of Jerusalem was destroyed. He lamented for the destruction of Jerusalem and provides a comparison between glorious days of Jerusalem and ruined Jerusalem. In the midst of his Lamentations, he remembers God’s steadfast love that never fails. (Lamentations 3:21-23)
4) Letter to Captives: The Jewish people in Babylon were so upset. Their mood was anger, revenge, and vengeance. (Psalms 137) To them Jeremiah writes a letter that they should not wait for seventy years to pass or be passive, but actively involved in all aspects of life: spiritual, social, emotional, family, economy…etc. (Jeremiah 29)
5) Message of Hope: Jeremiah demonstrated the restoration of Israel to the Promised Land by his purchase of land. (Jeremiah 31:10-11)
6) Prophesied judgment on Babylon: Jeremiah also foretold that Babylon will be like a stone thrown into river Euphrates. (Jeremiah 51:63)
7) Identified with people: The commanders, Johanan, and Jezaniah, the leaders left by Babylonians left in Judea asked Jeremiah to find the will of God. Should they go to Egypt? Lord clearly warned against going to Egypt, yet they went, took Jeremiah also along with them. (Jeremiah 42-43) Probably, Jeremiah died there.
He was a spokesperson for God but was willing to suffer with his disobedient and rebellious people.
Do I empathize with people of God?