Jeremiah 1 (WK) - Bible Truth Library

• The prophecy with its poetical appendix forms a portion of Scripture abounding in soulful, stirring appeals. If we think of prophecy merely as foretelling the future (and especially unfolding the glories of Messiah’s kingdom), we shall not find it nearly so full as either Isaiah, Ezekiel, or Daniel, with which it is commonly classed as being one of the major prophets.... If, however, we think of prophecy in its New Testament sense, as that which brings the soul into the presence of God, we realize at once how fully this is the case here....in Jeremiah, in the first half of the book at least, we have evidently ministry with a view to recalling wandering hearts to the One they had forsaken. It is their restoration to God as a means of deferring the already announced judgment (2 Kings 22:12-20) that is now before us. (“Introductory” by H.A. Ironside)

• He was a less intrepid man naturally, however, than the other {Nehemiah}, the weakness of his heart being again and again manifested, though this only gives better opportunity (as in the case of Gideon and Ezra) for God to display His power. “When I am weak, then am I strong,” is the “irresistible might of weakness,” which relies upon “One who is mighty.” (“Introductory” by H.A. Ironside)

• {Outline of Jeremiah} Coming, then, to the book of Jeremiah itself, we notice that it divides naturally into two main parts, with an appendix added by a later hand, though of course equally inspired by the Holy Ghost. In chapters 1-24 we hear the gracious pleadings of Jehovah with His erring and rebellious people. This portion is moral rather than devoted to foretelling events. Chapters 25-51 give in more detail the judgments of God, by means of Nebuchadnezzar, resultant upon the rejection of the previous messages; with, however, promises of future blessing and restoration at the expiration of seventy years’ captivity. The whole present interval of scattering, since the cutting off of Messiah, is passed over in silence. “Thus far the words of Jeremiah.” Chapter 52 is the historical account of the carrying out of the predicted but long-delayed judgment: compare it with 2 Kings 24:18-20; 25:1-17. (“Introductory” by H.A. Ironside)

• Oh that those who seek to care for the sheep and lambs of the flock today were more characterized by the love and self-abnegation that marked this dear servant of God, whose spirit was not soured by rejection as ours often is, but whose love was only the deeper as the objects of it heaped upon him insult and ignominy. In this, how like the true Man of Sorrows! (“Introductory” by H.A. Ironside)

• The prophet’s ministry covered a period of over forty years under the kings; and when royalty had departed from Judah and her princes, and thousands of her people had gone into captivity, he is still found at his post standing for God among “the poor of the flock” left in the land, looking forward to the destruction of the very power to which he had previously urged submission, and which had been permitted to desolate Jehovah’s heritage. (“Chapter 1” by H.A. Ironside)

J. N. Darby Translation

eThe words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkijah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:

JND Translation Notes

(The title of this book, "Jermiah"), The name may mean, "Jah is exalted." Compare the large use made of the name Jehovah in this book; it occurs about 700 times. Adonai Jehovah 14 times.

W. Kelly Translation

The words ofa Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin,

WK Translation Notes

Words in italics are from the JND version. Many verses in this book are from the KJV text or simple alterations of that text.

WK Verse Note

(Note: Words in italics have been inserted from the J. N. Darby translation where the W. Kelly translation doesn’t exist.)