Aldrine G. Aquino, fmgs Rev. Fr.

Alejandro Gobrin, CMF,

PhL., STL
CICM Maryhill School of Theology Th 101: Prophets
GTP II Professor

Research 4
Key Verse
“Do not reject us, for your name’s sake, do not disgrace your glorious throne. Remember!
Do not break your covenant with us. (Jeremiah 14:21)

Synthesis

In his letter to the exiles in Babylon, Jeremiah foretells the destruction of Jerusalem
but also gives a message of hope—specifically, that God has plans for their well-being and a
bright future. Jeremiah continues to have faith and gives hopeful prophesies despite his
warnings and the failure of his attempts to persuade the people to repent. He envisions a new
covenant in which God will directly affect people's hearts to ensure complete obedience.
Instead of negating the Torah, this new covenant modifies the way that divine will is
expressed by speaking directly to people's hearts instead of via words. The covenant itself
isn't deficient; rather, it's the people who have failed to uphold it. The innovation lies in how
divine will is communicated: bypassing traditional methods of speech and listening, God will
implant His will directly into the hearts of Israel, ensuring perfect obedience. Jeremiah's own
experiences mirror this paradigm shift; having preached to a stubborn populace, he believes
God must intervene to transform human hearts.1
Commentary
The Oxford Bible Commentary explores a number of Jeremiah's chapters that are
replete with references to curses. The book closes with Jeremiah's own curses upon his birth,
following a series of Covenant curses leveled against people who disobey YHWH's word.
The chapters are filled with a variety of prose sermons, lyrical threats, accusations, and
laments set amid these curses. With the addition of poetic confessions that disclose
Jeremiah's inner struggle and prose descriptions of symbolic events involving him, there's a
noticeable change in the literary approach from previous chapters. These changes help to
make Jeremiah a more prominent character by illuminating his deeds and inner conflicts in a
way that the text had not done before.2
1
Cook, Joan E. 2016. Hear, O Heavens and Listen, O Earth. Liturgical Press. 174
2
The Oxford Bible Commentary 501
Reflection
Jeremiah, often referred to as the weeping prophet, lived in a time of great turmoil for
the nation of Israel. The people had turned away from God, forsaking His commandments
and indulging in idolatry and wickedness. Despite Jeremiah's warnings and calls to
repentance, the people persisted in their rebellious ways, leading to dire consequences such as
drought, famine, and ultimately, exile. Jeremiah's prayer calls us to examine our own hearts
and make a humble, repentant return to God. It exhorts us to put our faith in His unwavering
kindness and love, knowing that He is always prepared to pardon and reconcile those who
really seek Him. May we, like Jeremiah, call out to God at difficult times, putting our faith in
His faithfulness and finding solace in the knowledge of His unwavering love. And may we
make it our mission to live lives that glorify His name and show His mercy and grace to a
world in need of salvation.