“Lesson 45: Jeremiah 1–19,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, Religion 301–2 (1994), 89–90

“Jeremiah 1–19,” Old Testament Instructor’s Guide, 89–90

Jeremiah 1–19

Scripture Content Outline	Supplementary Study Sources
Jeremiah 1; 11:18–12:6; 15:10–21; 17:14–18; 18:18–23. Jeremiah Was Called to Declare Repentance to Judah and Experienced Great Difficulty in His Ministry Jeremiah ministered from the time of King Josiah until the Jews went into captivity in Babylon (see Jeremiah 1:1–3). Jeremiah was told that before he came to mortality he had been foreordained to be a prophet of God (see Jeremiah 1:4–5). The Lord strengthened Jeremiah and prepared him for his calling (see Jeremiah 1:6–19). The people of Anathoth, and even Jeremiah’s own family, sought to destroy Jeremiah; but the Lord supported him (see Jeremiah 11:18–23; 12:5–6; 15:10–21). Jeremiah asked the Lord why the wicked prospered (see Jeremiah 12:1–4). Jeremiah petitioned the Lord to overthrow his persecutors (see Jeremiah 17:14–18; 18:18–23).	Religion 302 student manual, 23-1 through 23-6; 23-24 through 23-25; 23-33 through 23-34; 23-37; 23-40. Abraham 3:22–23. What truth did the Lord reveal to Abraham about the noble and great spirits in the premortal life? Jeremiah 20:7–9. What caused Jeremiah to continue in the Lord’s work despite great difficulty? Proverbs 29:25. Why was there no reason for Jeremiah to fear his persecutors? (see also D&C 30:11; 122:9). D&C 101:35–38. What has the Lord promised those who suffer persecution for his sake? (see also Revelation 2:10). DS, 1:60. Because the Lord knows their quality, he chooses certain premortal spirits and foreordains them to be his leaders in mortality (see also Alma 13:10–12). Bible dictionary, s.v. “Jeremiah.” A good review of Jeremiah’s ministry is provided.
Jeremiah 2:1–3:11; 3:20–9:26; 10:1–11:17; 12:7–13; 13:1–15:9; 16:1–13; 17:1–13, 19–27; 18–19. Jeremiah Called Judah to Repentance and Warned Them of Impending Destruction and Exile Judah was warned to follow the living God and turn from worshiping idols made by men (see Jeremiah 2; 10; JST, Jeremiah 2:24). Judah and Israel defiled the land by their wickedness (see Jeremiah 3:1–11). The Lord told Israel that he would defer his anger and bless them if they would return to him (see Jeremiah 3:20–4:2; 4:14; 7:1–7). Jeremiah repeatedly rebuked the inhabitants of Judah for their wickedness and prophesied that judgments, destruction, and captivity would come upon them if they did not repent (see Jeremiah 4:3–6:30; 7:8–9:26; 11:1–17; 12:7–13; 14:1–15:9; 16:1–13; 17:1–13). Judah was promised that if they kept the Sabbath day holy, they would be preserved from captivity (see Jeremiah 17:19–27). Using well-known objects as symbols, the Lord taught Jeremiah; Jeremiah showed to Judah their deplorable condition and the resultant judgments that would come upon them (see Jeremiah 13; 18–19; JST, Jeremiah 18:8, 10, 14).	Religion 302 student manual, 23-7 through 23-9; 23-11 through 23-23; 23-26; 23-28 through 23-33; 23-35; 23-37 through 23-41. John 14:15. What is the test of our loyalty to the Savior? D&C 1:38. How important are the words of the prophets? (see also D&C 21:5). D&C 1:14–16. What will happen to those who refuse to follow the prophets, but instead walk after their own god? Matthew 10:41. What promise is made to those who receive the Lord’s prophets? D&C 101:7–8. What foolish error have members of the house of Israel often committed? (see also Isaiah 26:16). MF, pp. 40–42. How widespread is the sin of idolatry today?
Jeremiah 3:12–19; 12:14–17; 16:14–21. The Promise of a Future Restoration of Judah and Israel Was Reaffirmed Jeremiah saw that Israel and Judah would be gathered in the last days and become one people (see Jeremiah 3:12–19). Other nations were promised an inheritance with Israel and Judah if they would repent and keep the commandments (see Jeremiah 12:14–17). The gathering of Israel and the bringing of the ten lost tribes from the north would be one of the great miracles of the last days (see Jeremiah 16:14–21).	Religion 302 student manual, 23-10; 23-27; 23-36. Deuteronomy 30:1–10. What promise did the Lord extend to Israel through Moses? Ezekiel 37:21–28. What did the Lord promise Israel would happen when they were restored in the last days? (see also Amos 9:14–15). D&C 110:11. Who restored the keys for the gathering of Israel in the last dispensation? D&C 133:26–33. What are some of the miracles that will be associated with the return of the ten lost tribes of Israel?

Scripture Content Outline

Supplementary Study Sources

Jeremiah 1; 11:18–12:6; 15:10–21; 17:14–18; 18:18–23. Jeremiah Was Called to Declare Repentance to Judah and Experienced Great Difficulty in His Ministry
1. Jeremiah ministered from the time of King Josiah until the Jews went into captivity in Babylon (see Jeremiah 1:1–3).
2. Jeremiah was told that before he came to mortality he had been foreordained to be a prophet of God (see Jeremiah 1:4–5).
3. The Lord strengthened Jeremiah and prepared him for his calling (see Jeremiah 1:6–19).
4. The people of Anathoth, and even Jeremiah’s own family, sought to destroy Jeremiah; but the Lord supported him (see Jeremiah 11:18–23; 12:5–6; 15:10–21).
5. Jeremiah asked the Lord why the wicked prospered (see Jeremiah 12:1–4).
6. Jeremiah petitioned the Lord to overthrow his persecutors (see Jeremiah 17:14–18; 18:18–23).

Religion 302 student manual, 23-1 through 23-6; 23-24 through 23-25; 23-33 through 23-34; 23-37; 23-40.

Abraham 3:22–23. What truth did the Lord reveal to Abraham about the noble and great spirits in the premortal life?

Jeremiah 20:7–9. What caused Jeremiah to continue in the Lord’s work despite great difficulty?

Proverbs 29:25. Why was there no reason for Jeremiah to fear his persecutors? (see also D&C 30:11; 122:9).

D&C 101:35–38. What has the Lord promised those who suffer persecution for his sake? (see also Revelation 2:10).

DS, 1:60. Because the Lord knows their quality, he chooses certain premortal spirits and foreordains them to be his leaders in mortality (see also Alma 13:10–12).

Bible dictionary, s.v. “Jeremiah.” A good review of Jeremiah’s ministry is provided.

Jeremiah 2:1–3:11; 3:20–9:26; 10:1–11:17; 12:7–13; 13:1–15:9; 16:1–13; 17:1–13, 19–27; 18–19. Jeremiah Called Judah to Repentance and Warned Them of Impending Destruction and Exile
1. Judah was warned to follow the living God and turn from worshiping idols made by men (see Jeremiah 2; 10; JST, Jeremiah 2:24).
2. Judah and Israel defiled the land by their wickedness (see Jeremiah 3:1–11).
3. The Lord told Israel that he would defer his anger and bless them if they would return to him (see Jeremiah 3:20–4:2; 4:14; 7:1–7).
4. Jeremiah repeatedly rebuked the inhabitants of Judah for their wickedness and prophesied that judgments, destruction, and captivity would come upon them if they did not repent (see Jeremiah 4:3–6:30; 7:8–9:26; 11:1–17; 12:7–13; 14:1–15:9; 16:1–13; 17:1–13).
5. Judah was promised that if they kept the Sabbath day holy, they would be preserved from captivity (see Jeremiah 17:19–27).
6. Using well-known objects as symbols, the Lord taught Jeremiah; Jeremiah showed to Judah their deplorable condition and the resultant judgments that would come upon them (see Jeremiah 13; 18–19; JST, Jeremiah 18:8, 10, 14).

Religion 302 student manual, 23-7 through 23-9; 23-11 through 23-23; 23-26; 23-28 through 23-33; 23-35; 23-37 through 23-41.

John 14:15. What is the test of our loyalty to the Savior?

D&C 1:38. How important are the words of the prophets? (see also D&C 21:5).

D&C 1:14–16. What will happen to those who refuse to follow the prophets, but instead walk after their own god?

Matthew 10:41. What promise is made to those who receive the Lord’s prophets?

D&C 101:7–8. What foolish error have members of the house of Israel often committed? (see also Isaiah 26:16).

MF, pp. 40–42. How widespread is the sin of idolatry today?

Jeremiah 3:12–19; 12:14–17; 16:14–21. The Promise of a Future Restoration of Judah and Israel Was Reaffirmed
1. Jeremiah saw that Israel and Judah would be gathered in the last days and become one people (see Jeremiah 3:12–19).
2. Other nations were promised an inheritance with Israel and Judah if they would repent and keep the commandments (see Jeremiah 12:14–17).
3. The gathering of Israel and the bringing of the ten lost tribes from the north would be one of the great miracles of the last days (see Jeremiah 16:14–21).

Religion 302 student manual, 23-10; 23-27; 23-36.

Deuteronomy 30:1–10. What promise did the Lord extend to Israel through Moses?

Ezekiel 37:21–28. What did the Lord promise Israel would happen when they were restored in the last days? (see also Amos 9:14–15).

D&C 110:11. Who restored the keys for the gathering of Israel in the last dispensation?

D&C 133:26–33. What are some of the miracles that will be associated with the return of the ten lost tribes of Israel?

Some Suggestions for Presentation

You are not expected to teach everything in the scripture content outline. Select those concepts that you feel will be the most helpful to your students.

Since the book of Jeremiah is not arranged in chronological order, you may find it effective to draw from all parts of the book in teaching Jeremiah’s life and ministry. The lessons in the instructor’s guide follow the chapters in the student manual; however, this organization sometimes separates related material. Review all three lessons on Jeremiah before you determine what approach to take.

Jeremiah Was Foreordained to Carry a Message to Judah (Section A)

Ask a student to read Jeremiah 1:4–5 aloud, and then briefly discuss the principle of foreordination.

Ask students what the Lord required of Jeremiah to complete the mission that had been assigned to him before he entered mortality. Explain that Jeremiah 1:10 contains the answer. Put the following outline on the chalkboard and discuss the message of this verse:

“I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to—

root out pull down destroy throw down	Jeremiah was to declare God’s judgments.
build plant	Jeremiah was to declare the promises of God’s mercy, which would bring about a future restoration.

A main theme of the book of Jeremiah is that although the people would be plucked up and scattered far from their land because of their iniquities, in due time a remnant would return, the land would be replanted by repentant and faithful Israelites, and the people themselves would become fruitful unto the Lord.

Opposition to Jeremiah (Section A)

Nothing recorded in the book of Jeremiah shows that his message was well received. On the contrary, there is evidence that he was persecuted greatly. Point out the following examples (see also lesson 46, section A).

Jeremiah 11. There was a plot in Jeremiah’s hometown to take his life. (After studying this chapter, you might want to ask students how this story parallels an incident in the Savior’s life; see Luke 4:16–30.)

Jeremiah 12:6. Even Jeremiah’s family dealt treacherously with him.

Jeremiah 20:1–2. Wicked priests opposed Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 26:8–9. Mobs took Jeremiah and brought accusations against him.

Jeremiah 36:26. The king sought to take Jeremiah and his scribe Baruch.

Jeremiah 38:4–6. Princes cast Jeremiah into a dungeon.

Note that just because an individual might have been foreordained to certain callings in mortality does not mean that fulfilling those callings and assignments will be easy. Discuss briefly Jeremiah’s responses to his challenges (see Jeremiah 17:14–18; 18:18–23; 20:7–9). Teach students how they should respond to the challenges that face them as they attempt to complete their appointed missions in mortality.

A Time of Judgment (Section B)

Jeremiah’s time was one of severe judgments, which he survived. His daily task was to call people to repentance.

An important message of the prophets of any day is to repent or perish. The Lord considers calling people to repentance to be one of the things of most worth that a righteous individual, properly called, can do (see D&C 15:6; 16:6; 19:31).

List some of the sins for which Jeremiah chastized Israel. Compare those sins with sins of our time. Help students understand that the only path of safety is repentance and obedience to the counsel of living prophets. Review some of the counsel that has been given by the prophet in recent general conferences.