Jeremiah 16

The Prohibitions to Jeremiah, vv. 1-9

A. Do not marry or have children, v. 2

1. The Cultural Shock–considered a shame and disgrace to be single and childless.
2. The Chastening Shock–children and parents will die in judgment, vv. 3-4.

B. Do not mourn Judah’s punishment, vv. 5-7

1. Self-mutilation and
2. Shaving off beards and hairs.

C. Do not mingle with Judah’s people, vv. 8-9, see Leviticus 19:28; Deuteronomy 14:1

1. Do not mourn with them
2. Do not comfort them
3. Mirth and gladness will cease for Judah

The Proclamations of Jeremiah, vv. 10-18

A. The Reason for Judgment, vv. 10-13

1. Judah forsook the Lord
2. Judah worshiped idols
3. Judah walks “after the imagination of his evil heart”
4. Judah refuses to listen to the Lord
5. Jehovah exiles Judah to serve foreign gods in foreign lands

B. The Reassurance of Restoration, vv. 14-18

1. The Lord will bring Israel back to the Land.
   • a. Fishers will gather huge populations of Israelites to return, as in nets.
   • b. Hunters will ferret out the remaining Israelites in lonely places for return.

2. The Lord will recompense Israel’s sin double.

The Prayer of Jeremiah, v. 19-20

A. “My strength, my fortress, my refuge in the day of affliction.”

B. Gentiles will be drawn to the Lord and forsake worthless idolatry.

The Purpose of Jehovah, v. 21

A. “They will know My hand and My might” –>fulfilled in Jesus.

B. “They shall know My Name.”

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