Community on Columbia

God, speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, tries any and all methods, illustrations and metaphors to warn the people and cause them to repent of their idolatry, without success. When the authorities arrest Jeremiah and put him publicly to shame, he cries out to God in a sort of “dark night of the soul.”

Notes on Jeremiah 20:1-18 as well as a brief survey of Jeremiah chapters 3-19

God’s first prophecy that He directs Jeremiah to “cry in the ears of Jerusalem” is really a review of His relationship with Israel framed as a entreaty to a lover that He had rescued from slavery in Egypt, took in, cared for and married – but who has now rejected her husband. He demands an explanation.

Notes on Jeremiah 2:1-37

The last four kings of Judah after Josiah – Jehoahaz, Jehoakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah – were evil and led to the spiritual disintegration of Israel resulting in its final destruction. Our main witness is the prophet Jeremiah, who had to steel himself against the tremendous opposition from these kings and the people to deliver his warnings about the coming destruction.

Notes on 2 Kings 23:30-37 and Jeremiah 1:1-19

Once King Josiah had eliminated idolatry from the land, repaired the Temple and re-established the courses of the Levites for service, he arranged for the celebration of Passover. It was a momentous event, having been so long with the feasts or even Temple liturgy being neglected or outright banned. “Surely there was not holden such a passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah.” (2 Kings 23:22)

Notes on 2 Chronicles 35:1-27

Once King Josiah had eliminated idolatry from the land, repaired the Temple and re-established the courses of the Levites for service, he arranged for the celebration of Passover. It was a momentous event, having been so long with the feasts or even Temple liturgy being neglected or outright banned. “Surely there was not holden such a passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah.” (2 Kings 23:22)

Notes on 2 Chronicles 35:1-27

Josiah became king as a child of eight, but once he came of age, he regarded the idolatry he saw around him with increasing alarm. He purposed to eliminate it from Judah and the northern lands as well. Then he set about repairing the Temple and reinstating the courses of Levites. During the repairs, a hidden scroll of was discovered – the original scroll of the Law penned by Moses. It was opened to a passage in Deuteronomy that predicted Israel’s destruction and exile. The prophetess Huldah explained that Israel would surely go into exile, but because of Josiah’s faithfulness it would not occur until after his death.

Notes on 2 Chronicles 34:1-33