This book covers the last years of the kingdom of Judah long after the northern ten tribes had been taken into captivity by Assyria. A long work, Jeremiah is considered another major prophet along with Isaiah and Ezekiel. It’s a collection of prophecies, narratives, monologues about himself, lamentations, oracles from God, declarations of impending disaster, and hints of future hope.

The organization is not clear, but generally chapters 1-20 tell of the author’s pleading for Judah to do right and sorrow at the people’s rejection of his message, 21-45 tell the story of his ministry, 46-51 include prophecies against other nations (especially Babylon), and 52 gives the sad description of the fall of Jerusalem.

Like other prophets, Jeremiah carried out physical demonstrations for the people—he wore a yoke to tell the people they would become slaves, he wore a ruined and useless belt, he broke a bottle in the presence of a ruler, and he bought a field and buried the deed there. He spoke of God’s judgment, God’s ultimate power, and God’s concern for people. He spent most of his time attacking religious apostasy rather than the  social sins other prophets warned of.

What makes him unique is his autobiographical material—he recorded a great deal of his innermost experiences. His life was in constant danger from political and religious leaders since he preached acceptance of Babylon’s intrusion; he felt this heathen nation was God’s tool to punish Judah. When the Babylonians captured Jerusalem, they offered to take Jeremiah with other prominent Jews to Babylon, but he refused. Instead, he stayed behind with other poor Jews in the ruined city of Jerusalem.