Jeremiah’s ministry concentrated on the rst two themes noted on the chart However, the prophet did not only preach judgment Often he voiced God’s invitation to return to Him: ‘“Return, faithless Israel,’ declares the LORD; ‘I will not look upon you in anger’” (3:12) That was his message of conditional, immediate restoration He also spoke of the more distant future, prophesying preservation of a remnant, the initiating of a new covenant, and the coming of a Saviour Though he did not prophesy as much as Isaiah did on this subject, his prophecies were just as strong and clear (Read such passages as 23:5-6; 31:31-34; 32:37-41.) C CONFESSIONS The book of Jeremiah contains much that is autobiographical and confessional This is unlike the book of Isaiah, which contains comparatively little of the life of its author Read Jeremiah’s confession of sin in 10:2324; 11:18—12:6; 15:10-18; 17:9-11, 14-18; 18:18-23; 20:7–18 D SYMBOLS Many symbols appear in the book of Jeremiah The main ones involve actual experiences of Jeremiah, where God was teaching him, and thus Judah, some vital spiritual truths Here are some of the prominent ones (Read the passages.) the linen girdle (waistband) (13:1-11) the potter and the clay (18:1-8) the shattered vessel (19:1-13) celibacy of Jeremiah (16:1-9) field of Anathoth (32:6-44) E END TIMES Jeremiah, like his predecessor Isaiah, foretold the sure restoration of God’s people to their land But passages like Jeremiah 30:3; 31:8-30, 31-37; 32:36-44; 33:6-18 indicate that the return from Babylon at the end of the seventy years was not considered as a complete ful llment of these prophecies (Read the passages cited.) The prophet had a greater restoration in view, a fuller and more complete ful llment of the prophecies In the above passages, both Israel and Judah are mentioned as returning The gathering is spoken of as being not only from Babylon, but from all nations of the earth Also, references to the new covenant, great prosperity and blessing, and deep penitence and obedience of the people, speak of a still future time What is the basis for such a bright hope for God’s people in the end times? The question is answered in various Scriptures, one of them being the words of God Himself recorded in the book of Jeremiah: I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! (31:3-4) Israel has a future, spoken of by Paul in Romans 11, only because of the unchangeable, unfathomable, eternal love of God VI KEY WORDS AND VERSES ... some of the prominent ones (Read the passages.) the linen girdle (waistband) (13:1-11) the potter and the clay (18:1-8) the shattered vessel (19:1-13) celibacy of Jeremiah (16:1-9) field of Anathoth... obedience of the people, speak of a still future time What is the basis for such a bright hope for God’s people in the end times? The question is answered in various Scriptures, one of them being the. .. Isaiah, foretold the sure restoration of God’s people to their land But passages like Jeremiah 30:3; 31:8-30, 31-37; 32:36-44; 33:6-18 indicate that the return from Babylon at the end of the seventy