(Reading Aug 1-Aug 7)

32. Jeremiah Meets Resistance

Key Point:
Judah continues her descent toward captivity, despite the reign of righteous Josiah.  Jeremiah is arrested for warning of the coming judgment.  God answers Habakkuk’s question, “How can God permit an unrighteous nation to punish His own people?”

Key Verse:
LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD.  Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy (Hab. 3:2, DB page 998).

Main People:
Jeremiah, Josiah, Habakkuk, Jehoiakim, Baruch

Outline:
The Effect of Jeremiah’s Preaching: Josiah’s Reforms
The Fall of Assyria and Rise of Babylonia
Jeremiah Faces Charges
Jeremiah’s Judgment Against Egypt
Habakkuk’s Questioning Prophecy
First Deportation from Judah
Jeremiah Tells Length of Captivity
Jehoiakim Burns Jeremiah’s Scroll
   

Thought Questions:

1.    How old was Josiah when
    A. He became king? (DB page 934)
    B. He began to seek the Lord? (DB page 941)
    C. He undertook his reforms? (DB pages 941, 983)





2.    Why is the reaction to the discovery of the law so intense?





3.    What role does the prophetess Huldah play?





4.    Is God as concerned now as he was then in the ruling government?  As Christians and Americans, how should we be involved in politics and government?





5.    What does “the righteous shall live by faith” mean? (Hab. 2:4, DB page 996)





6.   What is the big question that Habakkuk is asking?  What is God’s answer?

7.   Jehoiakim has no problem burning Jeremiah’s scroll.  In what ways do people today honor or dishonor God’s written word?