THE WORKS OF THE PROPHET

The Works of the Prophets

The Works of the Prophets

"Isaiah And Jeremiah Say About The Sins Of Judah?"

Jeremiah 17:1, 2--The sins of the people of Judah made their sacrifices displeasing to Jehovah.

Isaiah 31:6-- The ten-tribe kingdom of Israel has not been alone in her rebellion. The people of Judah, also “sons of Israel,” have gone “deep in their revolt.”

The prophet Jeremiah lived during dangerous and turbulent times. He was commissioned by God in the year 647 B.C.E., the 13th year of the reign of God-fearing King Josiah of Judah. During repairs on the house of Jehovah, the book of the Law was found and was read to the king. He worked hard at enforcing this, but he could at most only temporarily turn back the falling away to idolatry.

Josiah's grandfather Manasseh, who had reigned for 55 years, and his father Amon, who had been assassinated after a reign of just 2 years, had both done wickedly. They had encouraged the people in impure orgies and gruesome rites, so that they had become accustomed to offering incense to the “queen of the heavens” and human sacrifices to demon gods. Manasseh had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood.—Jer. 1:2; 44:19; 2 Ki. 21:6, 16, 19-23; 23:26, 27.

Jeremiah's task was no easy one. He had to serve as Jehovah's prophet in foretelling the desolation of Judah and Jerusalem, the burning of the magnificent temple of Jehovah, and the captivity of his people—catastrophes almost unbelievable! His prophesying in Jerusalem had to continue 40 years, through the reigns of bad Kings Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin (Coniah), and Zedekiah. (Jer. 1:2, 3)

Later, in Egypt, he had to prophesy concerning the idolatries of the Jewish refugees there. His book was completed in 580 B.C.E. The time covered by Jeremiah is thus an eventful period of 67 years.—52:31.

Jeremiah (7:1-10:25).he is to make proclamation at the temple gate: 'Oppressing the fatherless and widow, shedding innocent blood, walking after other gods, stealing, murdering, committing adultery, swearing falsely, and making sacrifices to Baal! Hypocrites! You have made Jehovah's house “a mere cave of robbers.” Recall what Jehovah did to Shiloh. He will do the same to your house, O Judah, and he will throw you out, just as he threw out Ephraim (Israel) to the north.'—Jer. 7:4-11

Judah is past praying for. Why, the people are even making cakes to sacrifice to the “queen of the heavens”! Truly, “this is the nation whose people have not obeyed the voice of Jehovah its God, and have not taken discipline. Faithfulness has perished.” (Jer. 7:18, 28) Judah has set disgusting things i

Jehovah's house and has burned her sons and daughters on the high places of Topheth in the valley of Hinnom. Look! It will be called “the valley of the killing,” and their dead bodies will become food for fowl and beast. (7:32) Rejoicing and exultation must cease out of Judah and Jerusalem.

Gods Actions Against These Sins?

They were hoping for peace and healing, but they received--Scattering, extermination, and lamentation was the result ...