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One-sentence summary: The Lord calls a fearful and hesitant Jeremiah in his youth to be a prophet to the nations; Jeremiah prophesies to Israel and tells them to return to the Lord so that He can heal their backslidings.
The word of the Lord comes to Jeremiah in the days of King Josiah of Judah and also of Jehoiakim his son until the end of Zedekiah (Jehoiakim's brother) until the carrying away of Jerusalem captive. The Lord tells Jeremiah that He knew him before He formed him in the womb and sanctified him and ordained him a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah answers that he cannot speak because he is a youth, but the Lord says not to be afraid of the people's faces because He is with him; He touches his mouth and says He has put His word in his mouth and has set him over the nations to tear down and to build. The Lord asks what he sees, and he says it is a branch of an olive tree. Then, a second time the Lord asks him, and this time he sees a boiling pot facing away from the north. The Lord says calamities will come from the north because His people have forsaken Him for other gods. He tells Jeremiah to speak to the people and not be dismayed by their faces, because the Lord has made him strong against them. They will fight against him but not prevail, because He is with him to deliver, says the Lord.
The word of the Lord tells Jeremiah to cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying that the Lord remembers how they followed Him in the wilderness, and how they were holy to the Lord, like first fruits. The Lord asks what He has done to them for them to forsake Him for other gods. They have exchanged their glory for what does not profit. He tells the heavens to be astonished and afraid, because His people have done two evil things: they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters, and have made cisterns for themselves that are broken and cannot hold water. Jeremiah says their own backslidings will rebuke them and that it is an evil and bitter thing what they have done. The Lord says there is no fear of Him in them. They have polluted their ways, like a wild donkey in a time of mating. They said there was no hope for them. Like a thief, they will be ashamed when found out, when confronted for worshipping trees and stones. They have turned from the Lord, yet, when they are in trouble, they will cry out to Him. The Lord says to let their gods save them, because they have as many gods as cities. The Lord says He has disciplined them in vain because they would receive no correction. The Lord asks if a virgin bride can forget her ornaments or attire, yet His people have forgotten Him "days without number." Also, the blood of the lives of "poor innocents" is on their hands, yet they refuse to acknowledge their sin. Therefore, the Lord will plead His case against them Himself. They will not prosper by their trusted allies.
When a man divorces his wife and she becomes another man's, if she returns to him, won't the land be polluted, asks the Lord. Yet Israel has been unfaithful to Him and polluted the land. However, He tells them to return to Him. Because of all this, the heavens have been shut up, and there has been no rain. He asks them why they will not call upon Him as their Father. Israel's treacherous sister Judah did the same. The Lord divorced Israel, yet Judah did not learn but was unfaithful as well. She only turned to Him in pretense. So the Lord says backsliding Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah. The Lord tells Jeremiah to tell them to return, because He will show mercy and not be angry forever. However, they must acknowledge their faithlessness and rebellion. The Lord says He is married to them, and He will bring them to Zion and give them shepherds according to His heart who will feed them with knowledge and understanding. In those days, no one will remember the ark of the covenant of the Lord. Jerusalem will be called the throne of the Lord, and all nations will be gathered to it. They will not follow their own evil hearts, but Israel and Judah will come from the north to the land the Lord gives. The Lord says they will call Him Father and not turn away. The Lord calls the backsliders to return, and He will heal their backslidings. Jeremiah says only in the Lord is there salvation for Israel.
Thoughts/discussion questions:
The Lord called Jeremiah before he was in the womb, a clear indication that life starts before conception.
The Lord is a faithful Father, Husband, and Friend.