Before we continue our examination of the writings of Jeremiah, which we began in Part I, let us briefly highlight the events of Jeremiah’s ministry compiled from the previous chapter.

For over forty years, the prophet Jeremiah labored to call Judah to repentance. Time and time again he prophesied regarding Judah’s disobedience to the Lord and the need for them to repent or they would suffer destruction. With the exception of King Josiah, the kings of Judah (Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah) rejected the prophecies of Jeremiah, listening either to false counsel (chap.28: Hananiah) or following their own wisdom (chap.36: Jehoiakim; chap.37-38: Zedekiah, and chap.43: Johanna carries Jews to Egypt).

Jeremiah lived during the assaults of the Babylonians upon Jerusalem under Nebuchadnezzar. Jehoiakim (609-598 B.C.), had been made king under the Egyptians, replacing his brother Jehoahaz (609 B.C.), who served only three months. Jehoiakim served eleven years, however due to his vacillation between Egypt and Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and took captive many children of the nobility. After enduring three years of subjection to Babylon and seeing Nebuchadnezzar busy elsewhere, Jehoaikim decided to throw off the Babylonian yoke. This brought another attack upon Jerusalem, resulting in the death of Jehoiakim. Jehoiachin (598 B.C.), Jehoiakim’s son, became king, but reigned only three months. In 598 B.C., he surrendered to the attacking Babylonians. He and members of his court were then taken captive to Babylon along with many others including Daniel and Ezekiel which became known as the first deportation of Judah to Babylon. According to 2 Kings 24:8-17, only “the poorest sort of people” were left in the land. Nebuchadnezzar then appointed a new king, named Zedekiah.

Zedekiah (598-587 B.C.) made some of the same political mistakes as his predecessors by withholding tribute to Babylon and supporting Egypt. When the Babylonian army approached Jerusalem in 590 B.C. the leaders of the nations began to see the fulfillment of the prophecies of Jeremiah and other prophets, and began to repent. However when the threat from Babylon temporarily disappeared with the approach of the Egyptian army (Jeremiah 37:5), the people returned again to their old ways. The false prophets (chp.28-Hananiah), told the people that they are righteous and that God will destroy the threat of the Babylonians and protect and preserve you. Jeremiah in contrast told the people that they were extremely wicked and that God would soon destroy Jerusalem, kill your family and close friends and force you into captivity in a foreign land. Jeremiah prophesied unto Hananiah that because “thou makest this people to trust in a lie… this year thou shalt die” (Jeremiah 28:15-16).

In January, 589 B.C., the Babylonians returned and laid siege to Jerusalem for eighteen months. In August, 587 B.C., Jerusalem was captured. The Babylonians ransacked the city, and set it afire, including the temple and palace. The walls of the city were destroyed. Most of the Jews were carried off to Babylon, the second deportation of Judah to Babylon, leaving only a remnant of the Jews behind. Jeremiah was initially taken captive, but five miles out of Jerusalem was recognized and given the choice to continue on to Babylon or return to Jerusalem. Jeremiah chose to return to Jerusalem. He lived in the house of Gedeliah (586 B.C.) who had been appointed governor by Nebuchadnezzar. Gedeliah was the son of Ahikam who years earlier had saved Jeremiah’s life when Jehoiakim would have put him to death (Jeremiah 26). Two months later, Gedeliah was assassinated by Ishmael and in a struggle for power, Johanan succeeds. He seeks Jeremiah’s counsel but then does not follow it and now leads the remnant of the Jews to Egypt including Jeremiah and his scribe, Baruch. While in Egypt, Jeremiah now an old man prophecies the downfall of Jews and tells them if they do not repent and turn to the Lord, they will be led captive by the Babylonians. In 582 B.C., according to Josephus, Egypt was conquered by the Babylonians and the remaining Jews were lead captive to Babylon.

In response to the Lord’s direction, Jeremiah is told “to go down to the potter’s house” (Jeremiah 18:2). While he is observing the work of the potter, he notes the following.

In response to the demonstration that Jeremiah had observed, the Lord now speak to Jeremiah.

In other words, if Judah will repent from their evil and disobedience to the commandments of the Lord, then, unlike the potter, even though He has the power to do so, the Lord will not destroy them. Now the Lord directs Jeremiah to go and give the message of warning to Judah. The response of Judah is to ignore the warning of Jeremiah.

It is tragic to see the level of wickedness to which Judah had resorted. In spite of the offer of the Lord, there is no hope for them due to their entrenched in their wickedness.

The Lord gives his response to their rejection of his will.

The response of the people to the message of the Lord given by Jeremiah is to reject him and his teachings and to continue in their paths of wickedness. Therefore, the Lord will turn his back on them and will not hear their petitions to Him during their time of distress.

The people have confused the messenger with the message. If they can reject the messenger, they feel that they will then not be bound by the message. Due to their rejection again of him, under the law of retribution, Jeremiah petitions the Lord for justice.

The petition brought by Jeremiah will be honored by the Lord. Judah will receive retribution for her acts against the Lord’s prophet.

One of the most serious transgressions a religious leader can commit is to knowingly mislead another individual. This practice is referred to and defined in the Book of Mormon as priestcraft.

There were, during the time of Jeremiah, individuals practicing “priestcraft” who represented themselves as being a spokesman for the Lord, without having the prerequisite authority. It was their actions that led to this rebuke from the Lord.

As a result of the scattering of the Lord’s sheep [those who recognize his voice and wish to follow Him] by the falsehoods of those who presented themselves as the Lord’s true shepherds, the Lord will in the latter days again gather his sheep through the directions of his true shepherds [prophets]. While the sheep will be gathered again, the false leaders will be held responsible for the evil actions.

This gathering will occur during the latter days when the Lord himself will return to reign over the earth. There will be in place, however prior to that occurrence, servants who are authorized by the Lord to assist in the gathering and to watch over those who are brought into the fold.

The actions of the false prophets is noted by the Lord.

The warning Jeremiah gave from the Lord was that judgment and destruction would soon come to the nation as a result of their wickedness. The false prophets spoke in opposition to the words of Jeremiah, and said the words the people wanted to hear. Their message was that the people of Judah shall not be destroyed, but that they “shall have peace;” they also told them that she could continue to pursue the course they were pursuing ie. Wickedness, and yet “no evil shall come upon you.” The action of the false prophets overall had a negative effect upon the people in that they did not heed the warning voice of the Lord’s prophet nor take the necessary steps of repentance.

There would be severe consequences for the actions of the false prophets. Because they had “perverted the words of the living God,” they would be forsaken by the Lord. The burden that they would bear is that none of the words they had spoken would come to pass; the city would be destroyed and they would be cast out of the Lord’s presence. The responsibility of the prophet of the Lord is to always speak the word of the Lord to the people however unpopular they may be or not want the people want to hear. If they do not, they themselves will be required to bear the consequences for not fulfilling their sacred responsibility.

Jeremiah, through prophetic vision, speaks of the latter-day gathering of Israel in the last days,

Underlining the fulfillment of Jeremiah 30:3, 9, as a time future, Judah will be gathered and then they will serve “the Lord their God.” It is the author’s opinion that this event will not occur until the latter days.

While Judah will be scattered in response to her iniquity, the Lord will not forsake her and the time will come when her enemies will be punished and she will yet be blessed.

While Judah will be taken into captivity due to her wickedness, by the Babylonians, and will suffer for her transgressions, she will yet become a nation again. However, due again to her iniquity, in 70 A.D., her city will be destroyed by the Romans, and she will be scattered among all nations. She will then become a hiss and a byword among the nations of the earth. During the latter days, Judah will again be gathered from the nations of the earth to her lands of inheritance. All those who have taken advantage of her weakness and increased her suffering, will then receive retribution at the hand of the Lord. As she recognizes and renews her covenants with the Lord, great blessings will yet come to her. The Lord will not forsake his covenant with Judah if she will repent of her iniquity and enter into a sacred covenant of obedience with the Lord.

The blessings that will come in the latter days to Judah and all of Israel will be great. They will be gathered from the nations of the earth. They will again hear the voice of the Lord. They will turn to the Lord and seek to make sacred covenants with Him.

We have previously noted that prior to the gathering of scattered Israel in the latter days, the authority had to be restored from the Lord so that this work could commence. Since the restoration of the Lord’s Church in 1830, through the Prophet Joseph Smith, missionaries have gone forth to bring all of Israel to a knowledge of the truth, as well as the Gentiles, so that they could make sacred covenants with the Lord. The birthright blessing was given by his father, Jacob/Israel to Joseph and then upon his sons (see 1 Chronicles 5:1-2). It was Ephraim, the younger son of Joseph, not Manasseh, who then received the birthright blessing (see Jeremiah 31:9).

In the latter days, which of Israel’s sons will be given the responsibility of gathering modern Israel and of teaching them the restored truths of the gospel?

It is Ephraim’s progenitors, as designated by their patriarchal blessings, who were first given the opportunity to hear the message of the restored gospel in the latter days, and then are given the responsibility to gather scattered Israel and teach them the restored truths of the gospel.

It is the author’s opinion that “the days come” refers to the time of the fulfillment of the law of Moses. This law had been given to direct Israel to the final sacrifice which would be accomplished in the meridian of time through the atonement of Jesus Christ.

While some have seen the book of Jeremiah as focused solely on the destruction that will come to Judah in response to her wickedness, these chapters extend to Judah the promise of events to come in the last days that would bring great joy to their righteous progenitors. Judah and Israel will not be forsaken by the Lord and He had made provisions for their eventual gathering and restoration of blessings.

Jeremiah has been put in prison by order of Zedekiah. It is while he is in prison that the Lord gives him the following assurance regarding the restoration (see Jeremiah 33:1).

Just as these promises given to Jeremiah during a period of his confinements brought comfort and strength to him that his labors with Judah were not in vain, so should they bring comfort to members of the house of Israel that their day of gathering will occur.

Who is Baruch? We learn from the scriptures that he is “the son of Neriah” and that he “wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD” (Jeremiah 36:4).

We ought to Baruch a debt of gratitude for his dedication in serving as Jeremiah’s scribe as well as to each of those individuals who wrote the words of the prophets that we may have a record of their writings.

We learn in Jeremiah, chapter 32, that Zedekiah, king of Judah, had “shut up [Jeremiah] in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah’s house” (Jeremiah 32:2). Jeremiah was confined as the king did not like what Jeremiah was prophesying concerning Judah being conquered (see Jeremiah 32:3-6). This direction comes to Jeremiah, according to Adam Clarke, during “the fifth year of the reign of Jehoiakim” (Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, 640). It is appears that Jeremiah is again under confinement when the Lord appears to him and gives him a message that is to be written by Baruch.

Having recorded the message from the Lord, Baruch is now to deliver this message in the Lord’s house.

One of the king’s princes, Michaiah, heard the words that Baruch read and asked that he come and read them to the princes who were gathered together. The response of the princes was alarm.

The necessity of having to share the words of the Lord with the king was not overshadowed by their concern not only for the well-being of Jeremiah but also for Baruch gave to him this warning.

The response of the king when he heard the words of the Lord as read by Jehudi was immediate.

Three of the princes present petitioned the king “not [to] burn the roll; but he would not hear them” (Jeremiah 36:25). The roll had been disposed of without any fanfare and now the king would also dispense with its messengers. Three of the princes are given the following edict by the king.

Without intervention by the Lord, it is certain that both Jeremiah and his scribe, Baruch would have been put to death by order of the king. Having preserved their lives, the Lord again speaks to Jeremiah and his scribe and this is the message He given them.

Thus we see that while man might destroy, that God can reveal anew his words to his prophet so that His words of warning will be preserved, even to the last days as a witness of God’s efforts to bring his children to repentance.

Baruch’s devotion and willingness to serve as Jeremiah’s scribe did not preclude him from putting his life in danger. Like Jeremiah, he was also on an errand from the Lord, which meant both writing and at times delivering the message to wicked Judah. His devotion to the cause did not waver and he went forth to do all that Jeremiah asked him to accomplish, trusting in the Lord for direction and protection.

There may be times when each of us may have our faith and devotion to the cause tested. Unlike the Lord, our vision is finite and often we do not see how our daily decisions and actions directly affect our future. Moroni, the son of Mormon, the abridger of the records of the Book of Mormon taught this important truth.

Baruch had had his faith tested and he continued to trust in Jeremiah as the prophet of the Lord.

Serving as the Lord’s messenger, Jeremiah gave the following prophecy regard the destruction of Jerusalem and the conditions that would exist.

When Pashur, the chief governor, heard of Jeremiah’s prophecies, he has him put into stocks overnight which held his body in distorted configurations. However, Jeremiah cannot be silenced.

A true prophet of the Lord often prophecies those things which are often disturbing to those to whom his message is directed. Often, the response of the listener, is to try and silence the messenger. This may be accomplished by ridicule, threats, and persecution including beatings and confinement or at times death. Jeremiah will experience most of their trails during his lifetime, however he will not be silenced. There are times however when even a prophet may lament his calling the rejection and physical abuse that often accompanies his calling. Jeremiah states his case to the Lord.

Following the visitation of God, the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ to the boy, Joseph Smith, he too was subjected to persecution and ridicule. He reflected upon this experience wrote the following.

Jeremiah could not turn away from the word of Lord nor deny its validity in spite of the ridicule, persecution and suffering he experienced as the Lord’s servant. As he stated, “his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones” (Jeremiah 20:9)

Having heard from his chief governor, Zedekiah seeks information from Jeremiah regarding how to deal with the Babylonians. Jeremiah tells him that the city will be destroyed and that he will be taken captive by Nebuchadrezzar (see Jeremiah 21:7). Jeremiah gives the answer of the Lord to king Zedekiah.

The Lord’s directive to king Zedekiah is that the only way to save their lives at this juncture was for Judah to surrender to the Chaldeans (Babylonians) and not try to resist, Zedekiah rejects Jeremiah’s counsel.

Zedekiah sends his servants to Jeremiah seeking direction from the Lord in view of the departure of the Babylonians from their siege of the city. They want to hear that all will be well with the city.

Jeremiah desires to leave the city, however he is detained at the city gate and accused of “falliest [deserting] away to the Chaldeans” (Jeremiah 37:13). He is brought to the princes.

After “many days,” Zedekiah sends from Jeremiah and asks him regarding the word of the Lord. Jeremiah replies.

Jeremiah pleads with the king “not to [be] returned to the house of Jonathan the scribe, lest I die there” (Jeremiah 37:20).

King Zedekiah orders Jeremiah’s release “into the court of the prison” and that he should be given “daily a piece of bread… until the bread in the city is spent” (Jeremiah 37:21).

The princes are incensed when they learn of Jeremiah’s latest prophecy.

The princes reason that Jeremiah is a traitor to Judah! His words would undermine that morale of the soldiers and leave the city completely venerable to the enemy. He is not a patriot for the freedom of Jerusalem, but a traitor and worthy of death.

How ironic it is that the one person who speaks the truth on behalf of the Lord is viewed as a traitor! The leaders of Judah have disregarded his message; continued in their wickedness; and turned to the arm of flesh as found in the Egyptians or military might to provide them with protection from their enemy. When they ignored the warning and direction of the Lord’s servant and had turned from the Lord, they were doomed to destruction.

The desire of the princes prevails and king Zedekiah does not intervene and so the sentence of death is passed upon Jeremiah.

The name, Ebed-melech, a Ethiopian eunuch who was a servant in the king’s house, may not be known to many. To Jeremiah, he was an angel sent by the Lord. It was his intervention that no doubt preserve Jeremiahs’ life. Not only does he petition the king on Jeremiah’s behalf, but he also assists with his recovery.

King Zedekiah honors Ebed-melech’s request, and orders him to take thirty men and drew Jeremiah up from his grave of mire.

Zedekiah now sends for Jeremiah and makes another request of Jeremiah. Jeremiah must have been confused by the king’s actions. One moment he is condemned to a watery grave and then on the king’s order is removed. Condemned initially as a traitor and then rescued, the king seeks his advice!

With the assurance that the king will protect his life, he gives Zedekiah the final word of the Lord regarding the saving of his own life and family, his people and city.

Zedekiah offers many excuses to refute Jeremiah’s words to him, despite Jeremiah’s promises, and then has him swear in secrecy not to inform his princes of his words. Once again, Zedekiah does not follow the counsel he receives from a prophet of the Lord. What happened to Jeremiah?

We learn that the city of Jerusalem is now destroyed by the Babylonians and her citizens are taken captive to Babylon.

As the Lord had promised (see Jeremiah 15:11), Jeremiah’s life is spared as well as the life of Baruch, Jeremiah’s scribe. The Babylonians commit him “unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home; so he dwelt among the people” (Jeremiah 39:14). Baruch, Jeremiah’s scribe’s life is also preserved.

There is one other individual noted in Chapter 39, whose life is preserved by the Lord.

The act of kindness extended by Ebed-melech to the Lord’s servant, and his continued trust in Jeremiah as the Lord’s prophet, secured for him the divine preservation of his life. As was true for Ebed-melech, we often do not know the effects our simple acts of kindness and compassion can have upon another person. In this instance, a prophet’s life was extended as was also the life of the individual who acted with compassion.

In Jeremiah 39:14, it appeared that Jeremiah was freed from prison to return to his people, however we learn in Chapter 40:1, that he had been bound in chains among others who were taken captive. It seems to me that these two scriptures are out of chronological order and that before Jeremiah was given his freedom, he was first bound in chains.

The captain of the guard, Nebuzar-adan, is acting under the direction of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, who had given him orders regarding Jeremiah.

Nebuzar-adan gives his the following options: (1) “to come with me into Babylon,… and I will look after thee; (2) remain in his own land “whither it seemeth good, and convient to go, thither go; and (3) “Go back also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whon the king of Babylon made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people.” (see Jeremiah 40:4-5). Jeremiah’s decision is to return to the home of Gedaliah who has been appointed as governor of Jerusalem (see Jeremiah 40:6).

Within two months of Gedaliah’s appointment as governor of Jerusalem, he is assassinated by Ishmael. Johanan, a faithful friend of Gedaliah now goes after Ishmael.

Johanan and his men return to Jerusalem, however as they fear the response of Babylon to the assassination of Gedaliah, they ask Jeremiah to seek the Lord’s direction (see Jeremiah 42:2). Jeremiah, after ten days, pronounces the word of the Lord to Johanan and the people.

The Lord having pronounced to Johanan and those gathered with him that he will bless and watch over them and give them protection from Babylon if they chose to remain in Jerusalem, now gives them a warning.

Johanan responds to the word of the Lord received through Jeremiah, his prophet.

The key word that best defines the response of Johanan and his men is “proud.” They had sought the direction of the Lord through Jeremiah, but when the counsel went contrary to their own understanding, they declared the words of the Lord false, hoping by doing so that they could somehow nullify the consequences that would surely follow their disobedience. How naive we are to believe that when we receive direction from the Lord, our understanding and knowledge is superior to His. Only when we are humble and obedient to the direction of the Lord will we ever find the true happiness and joy we are seeking. None are exempt in the eyes of the Lord, except those who choose to ignore his word in their lives.

Once in Egypt, Jeremiah sees how the Jews who are living there have followed the idol worship of the Egyptians. Jeremiah having newly arrived in Egypt continues to be the voice of the Lord unto the children of Israel.

I believe that it is reasonable to assume that if as a nation or individuals we choose to reject the counsel and direction we receive from the Lord or through his living prophets, that we, like Israel of Old, will also experience similar punishment.

The response of the people to the words of Jeremiah is significant in that it is indicative of how far removed they had become from the Lord and how entrenched they had become in the idolatry so prevalent in Egypt. The lifestyle of having been a covenant people was no longer as meaningful to them as the lifestyle they had found in Egypt. Like many people today, they sought freedom to do as they wanted, rather than to be constrained by the restrictions they had known. Somehow they were of the opinion that wickedness, as desirable it appeared, could never lead to the lasting happiness found in obeying the commandments and having the spirit of the Lord to be with them.

Jeremiah responds to their lapse in memory of the events that have recently occurred in Judah and again reminds them that the destruction that occurred was in direct result to their wickedness.

The Lord had been patient with Judah. He had sent his prophets to call them to repentance, admonishing them to turn away from their idolatrous practices, and to follow his commandments. They would not listen to their words and instead continued in their ways of wickedness. As a result, their land was made desolate and their city destroyed. Against the direction of the Lord, through Jeremiah, they have come to Egypt to dwell and to continue their evil practices. They will not prosper nor find peace.

This prophecy made by Jeremiah was, as history relates, fulfilled in its entirety.

After the Jewish Historian had confirmed the events as noted by Adam Clarke, he adds the following regarding the Jews of Egypt.

As previously noted, Baruch has served as Jeremiah’s faithful scribe. Most of what has been recorded regarding the writings of Jeremiah and Lamentations in our current scriptures are the result of his persistent efforts. Baruch has also passed through many of the trials that have come to Jeremiah during his years of service.

Being called to the Lord’s service is often difficult as we are not also given special immunity from the challenges and vicissitudes of mortal life. Disappointments, hardships, and the death of loved ones are but some of the experiences that come into our lives as we also serve the Lord. These challenging events in our lives are often designed by a loving God to provide us with individual refinement, but often we do not receive them with a grateful heart. Such was likely also the circumstance with Baruch.

Early in his service to Jeremiah, “in the fourth year of Jehoiakim” (Jeremiah 45:1), the Lord pronounced a special blessing upon him predicated upon his continued faithful service.

Throughout the forty years of Jeremiah’s service as a prophet to Judah, he exemplified the qualities of a true prophet. These include: (1) True prophets are called of God and they teach that repentance and righteous living are our only true security; (2) True prophets prophesy the truth, even though it may be painful; (3) True prophets condemn false prophets and priests and preach against the sins of the people; and (4) The prophecies of true prophets are specific and detailed and the prophecies they speak are fulfilled.

Jeremiah had been given a most difficult calling as a prophet. He was to call a people to repentance, the vast majority of which would reject his message. He was persecuted, ridiculed, and threatened death by those who should have given him honor and praise. He would live to witness the destruction of Jerusalem and the captivity of his people. One constellation to him was the confirmation from the Lord that in the future, Israel after being scattered would be gathered once again. This time she would come with humble and obedient hearts, ready to receive their Lord once again. For the present, Jeremiah would have to be satisfied that he had always been valiant to his calling as a faithful servant of the Lord in spite of the challenges and obstacles to which he had been subjected.