A Introduction – Jeremiah's call to destroy and plant begun (1)
B Oracles against Judah: invasion and disaster from the north (2–12)
C Judah's exile and suffering predicted (13–20)
D Judgments against specific kings and groups (21–29)
Kings judged:
Jehoiakim condemned for oppression and rejecting God's word (22:13–19; 26:20–23; 36:27–31)
Zedekiah condemned for refusing to obey the word of the LORD (21:1–7; 37:2; 38:17–23)
False prophets judged:
Prophets who speak lies in God's name condemned (23:9–40)
Hananiah's false prophecy judged (28:1–17)
Faithful remnant preserved:
The good figs represent those God preserves through exile (24:1–7)
God promises restoration for the faithful remnant (29:10–14)
E Israel will return from captivity in preparation for the Messiah (30:1–31:22)
─────── Book Of Comfort ───────
F Israel will dwell in the land (31:23–26)
─────── Literary Center (31:27–40) ───────
G Future restoration of individuals (31:27–30)
H THE NEW COVENANT (31:31–34):
"Behold, the days are coming..."
G′ Future restoration of the nation (31:35–40)
"Behold, the days are coming" appears 3×
─────── Literary Center (31:27–40) ───────
F′ Israel will dwell in the land (32)
─────── Book Of Comfort ───────
E′ Israel will return from captivity in preparation for the Messiah (33)
D′ Judgments against specific kings and groups (34–35)
Kings judged:
Zedekiah breaks covenant and is judged (34:8–22)
Jehoiakim's rejection of God's word brings judgment (36:27–31)
False prophets and rebellious leaders judged:
Judah refuses God's covenant commands (34:13–17)
The people reject God's warnings through Jeremiah (35:12–17)
Faithful remnant preserved:
The obedience of the Rechabites contrasts Judah's rebellion (35:1–19)
God honors those who remain faithful (35:18–19)
C′ Judah's suffering and exile accomplished (36–45)
B′ Oracles against the nations: invasion and disaster from the north (46–51)
A′ Epilogue – Jeremiah's call to destroy and plant fulfilled (52)
D Judgments against specific kings and groups (21–29)
D′ Judgments against specific kings and groups (34–35)
- Jehoiakim and Zedekiah condemned
- False prophets exposed
- Faithful remnant preserved
The D sections form a double witness. Their parallels show that the kings and leaders are arranged thematically rather than chronologically, emphasizing God's consistent judgment against rebellion and His preservation of the faithful remnant.
Parallels
Jesus and Jeremiah
| Jeremiah | Jesus |
| Delivered an unpopular message to people they loved (Jer. 8:21) | Delivered an unpopular message to people He loved (Luke 13:34) |
| Wept over Jerusalem (Jer. 9:1) | Wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41) |
| Opposed the commercialization of the temple (Jer. 7:11) | Opposed the commercialization of the temple (Matt. 21:13) |
| Predicted the temple's destruction (Jer. 7:14) | Predicted the temple's destruction (Mark 13:2) |
| Rejected by his own people (Jer. 12:6) | Rejected by His own people (John 1:11) |
| Accused of political treason (Jer. 37:11–15) | Accused of political treason (Luke 23:2) |
| Tried, imprisoned, and eventually martyred (Jer. 32:2–3) | Tried, imprisoned, and crucified (John 18:12) |
| Knew deep loneliness as almost everyone abandoned him (Jer. 17:15) | Knew deep loneliness as His disciples abandoned Him (John 16:32a) |
| Demonstrated unusually deep fellowship and prayer-communion with God (Jer. 15:16) | Demonstrated perfect fellowship and communion with the Father (John 16:32b) |
| Condemned empty, formalistic worship (Jer. 7–8) | Condemned empty, formalistic worship (Matt. 15:9) |
D / D′ Parallels
| **D (21–29) ** | **D′ (34–35) ** |
| Jehoiakim condemned for injustice and oppression (Jer. 22:13–19) | Zedekiah condemned for breaking covenant promises (Jer. 34:8–22) |
| Jehoiakim rejects God's word and refuses correction (Jer. 26:20–23; 36:27–31) | Judah rejects God's commands and refuses to listen (Jer. 35:12–17) |
| Zedekiah refuses to obey the word of the LORD (Jer. 21:1–7; 37:2) | Zedekiah's rebellion brings judgment (Jer. 34:21–22) |
| False prophets speak lies in God's name (Jer. 23:9–40) | False leadership and covenant rebellion exposed (Jer. 35:12–17) |
| Hananiah's false prophecy of peace is judged (Jer. 28:1–17) | The obedience of the Rechabites contrasts Judah's rebellion (Jer. 35:1–19) |
| The good figs represent the faithful remnant preserved by God (Jer. 24:1–7) | The faithful Rechabites are honored for obedience (Jer. 35:18–19) |
| God promises restoration for those He preserves through exile (Jer. 29:10–14) | God preserves a faithful witness even during judgment (Jer. 35:18–19) |
Themes
The Character of God
| Attribute | References |
| Good | Jer. 31:12, 14; 33:11 |
| Holy | Jer. 23:9; 50:29 |
| Just | Jer. 9:24; 32:19; 50:7 |
| Righteous | Jer. 9:24; 12:1 |
| Loving | Jer. 31:3 |
| Merciful | Jer. 3:12; 33:11 |
| Forgiving | Jer. 18:7–8 |
| Patient | Jer. 15:15 |
| Faithful | Jer. 32:41; 33:14 |
| Wise | Jer. 10:7, 12; 32:19 |
| Sovereign | Jer. 5:15; 6:19 |
| Powerful / Omnipotent | Jer. 10:12; 27:5; 32:17; 51:15 |
| Omnipresent | Jer. 23:23–24 |
| True & Incomparable | Jer. 10:6, 10 |
| Wrath & Vengeance | Jer. 4:8; 7:20; 11:20; 46:10; 51:36 |
The Condition of Man
| Theme | References |
| Depraved and rebellious | Jer. 3:10, 17; 5:23–24; 7:24; 11:8; 18:12 |
| The heart is deceitful | Jer. 17:9–10 |
| Refuses to listen to God | Jer. 7:24; 17:23 |
| Spiritually uncircumcised | Jer. 4:4; 9:26 |
| Needs inward cleansing and regeneration | Jer. 4:14; 9:26 |
| Chooses its own way | Jer. 18:12; 44:16 |
The Covenant Lawsuit
| Charge | References |
| Other gods / Idolatry | Jer. 2:11; 7:9; 10:14 |
| Profaning God's name | Jer. 7:9–14, 30 |
| Sabbath-breaking | Jer. 17 |
| Dishonoring parents | Jer. 2:27; 3:4, 19 |
| Murder | Jer. 7:6, 9; 22:3, 17 |
| Sexual immorality | Jer. 2:20; 3:2, 8–9; 5:7; 7:9; 23:10, 14 |
| Theft | Jer. 2:26; 7:9, 11 |
| Falsehood and false prophecy | Jer. 5:2, 31; 7:4–9; 14:14; 23:25–32; 27:10–16 |
| Covetousness | Jer. 6:13; 8:10; 22:17; 51:13 |