Chapter 29 - Jeremiah and the Fall of Jerusalem

More doom... *heavy sigh*

Jeremiah lived during the reign of Josiah...

From wikipedia: "Nebuchadnezzar engaged in several military campaigns designed to increase Babylonian influence in Syria and Judah. An attempted invasion of Egypt in 601 BC was met with setbacks, however, leading to numerous rebellions among the states of the Levant, including Judah. Nebuchadnezzar soon dealt with these rebellions, capturing Jerusalem in 597 BC and deposing King Jeconiah, then in 587 BC due to rebellion, destroying both the city and the temple, and deporting many of the prominent citizens along with a sizable portion of the Jewish population of Judea to Babylon.[6] These events are described in the Prophets (Nevi'im) and Writings (Ketuvim), sections of the Hebrew Bible (in the books 2 Kings and Jeremiah, and 2 Chronicles, respectively)."

Ishmael and the rebels kill the governor, flee into Egypt taking Jeremiah, and flourish eventually responsible for the creation of the Septuagint.

The abuse of Jeremiah: in stocks, behind bars, down a cistern, sent to Egypt.

Why has the way of the wicked prospered? Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease? (assuming that God inevitably brings a curse to disobedience and a blessing to obedience)

Jeremiah lets it all come out: "Therefore, give their children over to famine
and deliver them up to the power of the sword; and let their wives become childless and widowed. Let their men also be smitten to death, their young men struck down by the sword in battle. May an outcry be heard from their houses, when You suddenly bring raiders upon them; for they have dug a pit to capture me and hidden snares for my feet. Yet You, O LORD, know all their deadly designs against me; do not forgive their iniquity or blot out their sin from Your sight but may they be overthrown before You; Deal with them in the time of Your anger!" (ouch)

Interesting opportunity here: The people are being hauled off to Babylon (now I have Bob Marley running through my head - oh well...). The people have become very attached to their land (country and city) and their temple. They should be attached to their God. The exile forces them to understand this: YHWH is not restricted to a place. YHWH will go with them and be with them wherever they go... even into Babylon.

The Law will be an inner reality, instead of an external code. ...an inner reality ...an external code. ...and external code: In God We Trust? ...an inner reality: respect the dignity of every person.

"Israel would never again be coterminous with any political unit or geographical area." -> until post-WWII when the new Israel is created. (I may sound anti-Israeli but I am more frustrating with their actions than anything)