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Jeremiah Chapter One

1. Jeremiah was of a priestly family, and yet one of the descendants of Abiathar the priest dismissed by Solomon (1st Kgs. 2:27).
2. Jeremiah received his initial call to prophetic ministry in the thirteenth year of King Josiah (Jer. 1:2-10).
   1. The year was 626BC, 40 years before the fall of Jerusalem.
   2. Jeremiah was still a youth (Jer. 1:6-8) comparable to other such faithful servants of the Lord (Job 32:6-8; 1st Kgs. 3:7; 1st Tim. 4:12).  נַעַר na‘ar ^#5288: boy, lad, youth.
   3. Jeremiah will minister beyond the fall of Jerusalem for an overall ministry of perhaps 50 years or more.
3. The purpose for a believer’s life is established before that believer even has life (Jer. 1:5). 
4. Jeremiah was appointed a prophet to the nations (Jer. 1:5,10).  This is an amazing title for the prophet that the Lord designated to observe the fall of Jerusalem.
   1. Jeremiah had a destructive & constructive ministry (Jer. 1:10).
   2. He achieved this work by faithfully speaking of the One who will literally and ultimately accomplish these activities (Jer. 31:28).
5. Jeremiah is shown two visions (Jer. 1:11-13), and given one hard message to deliver to the kings of Judah (Jer. 1:14-19).

Jeremiah Chapter Two

1. Jeremiah’s first public message (Jer. 2:1-3:5) was a look back over the Lord’s marriage to Israel, from the love of her betrothal (Jer. 2:1-3) to the years of harlotry leading to divorce (Jer. 3:1-5).
2. Israel’s marital straying from the Lord was not due to any injustice/faithlessness on His part (Jer. 2:5-7).
3. The people’s rebellion followed that of their leaders (Jer. 2:8).
4. The Lord stressed that even the pagans are at least loyal to their false gods (Jer. 2:9-13).
5. The Lord God cannot believe that his warnings have gone unheeded (Jer. 2:14-19,26-37).
6. Although redeemed by the grace of God, Israel refused to serve the One Who purchased their redemption (Jer. 2:20-25).

(Chapter Two continues tomorrow)

Second Kings Chapter Twenty-One

1. The reign of Manasseh, King of Judah is described (2nd Kgs. 21:1-18).
   1. Manasseh מְנַשֶּׁה ^#4519: causing to forget (Gen. 41:51).
   2. The oldest son of Joseph, and one of the 12 Tribes of Israel must not be confused with the son of Hezekiah, and the most wicked King in the history of Judah.
2. Manasseh was 12 years old when he became king, and he reigned 55 years.  Many chronological studies give Manasseh a coregency with Hezekiah, but this is highly unlikely.
3. Manasseh was an evil king—the worst that Judah ever had (2nd Kgs. 21:2-9).
4. Manasseh’s evil reign was the hinge which made the Babylonian captivity inevitable (2nd Kgs. 21:10-15).
5. The end of Manasseh’s life is described (2nd Kgs. 21:16-18), but Manasseh’s repentance is omitted (2nd Chr. 33:10-20).
6. Amon’s tragic two year reign is described (2nd Kgs. 21:19-26).

Second Kings Chapter Twenty-Two

1. The reign of King Josiah of Judah is described (2nd Kgs. 22:1-23:29).
2. Josiah was a good king, like David & Hezekiah (2nd Kgs. 22:2), and the last good king Judah will be blessed with before the Babylonian captivity.
   1. The Chronicles account tells how at the age of 16, Josiah began an intensive study of David’s God—likely through Psalms & Proverbs, and the written prophets (2nd Chr. 34:3a).
   2. At the age of 20, Josiah began to aggressively destroy idolatry within his kingdom (2nd Chr. 34:3b).

(Chapter Twenty-Two continues on Day 217)

Second Chronicles Chapter Thirty-Three

1. Chapter 33 describes the reigns of King Manasseh & Amon of Judah.
2. Manasseh was born during the 15 years of God’s grace which extended Hezekiah’s life (2nd Chr. 33:1; 2nd Kgs. 20:6).
3. Manasseh became the most wicked king in the history of Judah (2nd Chr. 33:2-10).
   1. His wickedness is recounted in Kings (2nd Kgs. 21:1-18; 23:26-27; 24:3-4; Jer. 15:4).
   2. His repentance is only recounted here in the Bible (2nd Chr. 33:12-13).  Ezra had access to the records of the Prophet Hozai (2nd Chr. 33:19).
4. Manasseh was dragged away to Babylon, and humbled before the Lord (2nd Chr. 33:11-20).
5. The short, two year reign of King Amon is detailed (2nd Chr. 33:21-25).

Second Chronicles Chapter Thirty-Four

(Outline will be combined with Day 217)