Chapter Summary

Jeremiah's first writing. Summary of Israel in the coming great tribulation.

Discussion Questions for Jeremiah, Chapter 30

1. Chapters 30-33 are often called "The Book of Consolation" (Fretheim, Terence E. Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary: Jeremiah. Macon, Georgia. Smyth & Helwys Publishing Company. (2002), p.413). What reasons might the Lord have for making Jeremiah write all these words down, as opposed to proclaim them or send them in a letter like he usually does?
2. Who is this book written for according to verse 3 & 4? Is it the same recipient as the first letter in chapter 29? What have been the fates of these two nations in Jeremiah's time?
3. According to verse 3, what is the purpose of this Book of Consolation? How is this purpose connected to the covenant given to Abraham in Genesis 15:18-21? How will this promise of a land for the descendants of Abraham be fulfilled? How should this eventual fulfillment of a true promised land for the people of God affect our day to day? What should we change in our lives now in light of eternity ahead?
4. What does "that day" (v.7, NASB) refer to as described in verse 4-7? Though the Lord knows everything, why is it that He is speaking as if taken aback at the suffering in this section? What are some other examples in scripture where God empathizes with our suffering?
5. In verses 8 & 9, why is this prophesy of broken yokes and a returning king affirmed, while Hananiah was put to death for proclaiming a similar message (Jer. 28:1-4, 10-11)? How are these proclamations different?
6. What does "that day" refer to in verse 8? Why do you think similar language is used for a different event from "that day" in verse 7?
7. Who are the "lovers" in verse 14? Why has the Lord punished his people (vv. 14-15) for going to these "lovers"? In times of trouble, is there something or someone you run to before going to the Lord? How can can our hearts and minds be changed to where we turn to the Lord first in hard times?
8. In this message of deliverance from slavery (v. 8) and the establishment of peace (v. 10), who is the Lord delivering His people from according to verses 11 & 16? Does this come to pass in the time of Judah returning from exile? Has it been fulfilled yet? If not, when is this deliverance coming to pass? When full deliverance comes in eternity, what do you think your day-to-day will look like? What are you most looking forward to doing in the "new heavens and [the] new earth" (Isaiah 65:17, NASB)?
9. How does the leader in verse 9 & verse 21 compare to the kind of leader Moses wrote of in Deuteronomy 17:14-20? What people in Israel are normally the ones who approached the Lord on a regular basis? What is said about the titles of Jesus in Hebrews 1:8, 13 & 6:19-20?
10. Will the people of Jeremiah's day fully understand these prophecies that God has made him write? When are the "latter days" (NASB) of verse 24? Even though Christians have the advantage of scripture, the Lord has intentionally left things, like the path of our life and the second coming of Jesus, in some amount of mystery (Mark 13:32-37). How do we better trust the Lord in times of uncertainty or waiting?

Key Words/Phrase

Jacob's trouble, v. 7.

Characters

God, Jeremiah.

Strong Verse(s)

24