Topical Bible: Jeremiah: The Prophet: Over Josiah

◄ Jeremiah: The Prophet: Over Josiah ►

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Jeremiah, one of the major prophets of the Old Testament, played a significant role during the reign of King Josiah of Judah. His prophetic ministry began in the thirteenth year of Josiah's reign, around 627 BC, and continued through the reigns of subsequent kings. Jeremiah's calling and messages were pivotal during a time of significant religious reform and political upheaval.

Background and Calling

Jeremiah was the son of Hilkiah, a priest from Anathoth in the land of Benjamin (Jeremiah 1:1). His prophetic calling is detailed in Jeremiah 1:4-10, where the word of the LORD came to him, declaring that he was appointed as a prophet to the nations even before his birth. Despite his initial hesitance, citing his youth and inexperience, God assured him of divine protection and authority, saying, "Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you" (Jeremiah 1:8).

Jeremiah's Ministry During Josiah's Reign

King Josiah is noted for his religious reforms, which sought to restore the worship of Yahweh and eliminate idolatry from Judah (2 Kings 22-23). Jeremiah's ministry overlapped with these reforms, and while the prophet supported the return to covenantal faithfulness, his messages often highlighted the superficiality of the people's repentance. Jeremiah 3:10 states, "Yet in spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Judah did not return to Me with all her heart, but only in pretense, declares the LORD."

Jeremiah's prophecies during Josiah's reign were marked by a call to genuine repentance and a warning of impending judgment due to the persistent sinfulness of the nation. He emphasized the need for a heartfelt return to God, beyond mere external compliance with religious practices.

The Book of the Law and Josiah's Reforms

A significant event during Josiah's reign was the discovery of the Book of the Law in the temple (2 Kings 22:8-13). This discovery prompted a national reform, as Josiah sought to align the kingdom with the covenantal stipulations found in the book. While Jeremiah is not directly mentioned in the account of the discovery, his prophetic ministry undoubtedly supported the king's efforts to lead the nation back to God.

Jeremiah's Message of Judgment and Hope

Jeremiah's prophecies during Josiah's reign were not limited to warnings of judgment. He also spoke of hope and restoration. In Jeremiah 3:12-14 , God calls His people to return, promising mercy and a future gathering of the remnant: "Return, O faithless Israel, declares the LORD. I will no longer look on you with anger, for I am merciful, declares the LORD. I will not be angry forever."

Theological Themes

Jeremiah's ministry during Josiah's reign underscores several key theological themes:

1. Covenant Faithfulness: Jeremiah emphasized the importance of true covenantal faithfulness, urging the people to return to God with sincere hearts.

2. Judgment and Mercy: While warning of impending judgment due to sin, Jeremiah also conveyed God's willingness to forgive and restore those who genuinely repent.

3. Prophetic Authority: Jeremiah's calling and messages highlight the authority of the prophet as God's spokesperson, delivering divine truth regardless of popular opinion or political climate.

Jeremiah's role during Josiah's reign was crucial in articulating the spiritual state of the nation and calling for a deeper, more authentic relationship with God. His prophetic voice served as both a warning and a beacon of hope, pointing to the possibility of renewal and restoration through genuine repentance and faithfulness to the covenant.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Chronicles 35:25
And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spoke of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they are written in the lamentations.
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Library

How Josiah Fought with Neco [King of Egypt. ] and was Wounded and ...
... of the Assyrians, [8] for he had a desire to reign over Asia ... for him, lamenting and
grieving on his account many days; and Jeremiah the prophet composed an ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how josiah fought.htm

The Prophet --His Youth and his Call.
... Or to state the same more deeply: while the caldron of the North never ceased boiling
out over his world"consuming the ... Jeremiah was no prophet of hope ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/lecture iii the prophethis youth.htm

Jeremiah
... this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms ... Yet the prophet was to
accompany these messages with ... As a wise master builder, Jeremiah at the very ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 34 jeremiah.htm

What Jeremiah and Zephaniah Have, by the Prophetic Spirit, Spoken ...
... come, saith the Lord, that I will complete over the house ... put down those predictions
about Christ by the prophet Zephaniah, who prophesied with Jeremiah. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 33 what jeremiah and zephaniah.htm

Jeremiah
... and a strange fate overtakes the shallow prophet who supposes that it will be over
in two ... The exiles are therefore advised by Jeremiah in a letter to ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/jeremiah.htm

The Two Boy Kings.
... soon after Solomon's death, and a king reigned in Jerusalem over the kingdom of
Judah, and another in Samaria over the kingdom ... Jeremiah the prophet made a ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxx the two boy.htm

Jeremiah, a Lesson for the Disappointed.
... No prophet commenced his labours with greater encouragement than ... seemed, then, every
reason for Jeremiah at first ... the house of David again ruled over the whole ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon ix jeremiah a lesson.htm

Approaching Doom
... In the fourth year of Jehoiakim's reign "Jeremiah the prophet spake unto all ... and
to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem," pointing out that for over a score ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 35 approaching doom.htm

On the Diversity of Spiritual Gifts.
... For where there are none to be ruled over, rulers are superfluous; and where ... whom
the king of Babylon fried in a frying-pan," as says Jeremiah the prophet. ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i on the diversity of.htm

Oracles on the Edge of Doom. (vii. 16-xviii Passim, xxii, Xlv. )
... It is not more due to the Prophet than to the ... Jeremiah only put into words what must
have been felt ... Drought, Famine and Pestilence fatally passing over his land ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/3 oracles on the edge.htm