Outline of Jeremiah

We hope this outline of Jeremiah will aid you in your study of God’s letter to you.

Jeremiah is the second of the major writing prophets. He authored the books of Jeremiah and the small poetic book of Lamentations. He lived and prophesied around 100 years after Isaiah beginning in 627 B.C. until around 586 B.C. The final chapter of the book apparently was added by a scribe detailing events that most likely occurred after Jeremiah’s death, around 560 B.C. Jeremiah began prophesying as a young man (Jeremiah 1:6). His prophetic ministry was not well accepted. The king asked for his advice and then did the opposite. In fact, at one time the king read Jeremiah’s prophecy, section by section, cutting them out after they were read and throwing them in the fire that was on his hearth. The people asked for his advice and then did the opposite. The priests and religious prophets hated him and threw him into a dungeon. Yet, the message Jeremiah proclaimed was ultimately the right one.

Jeremiah tells us much about the character of God in the first 35 chapters.

And Jeremiah tells us much about the character of man as well.

The book is strongly pro-life (Jeremiah 1:5; 20:17-18).

The book centers on the rebellion of Israel and the coming judgment. A great deal of emphasis is placed on the fact that Israel has violated the covenant of God. Yet, God continues to call for repentance. But finally, God has enough, and the destruction falls.

Date: 627-586 B.C.

The Divisions

I. The call to ministry 1

II. Pronouncements against Judah 2-20

1. The LORD’s Complaint 2
2. The Extension of Mercy 3-4:4
3. The Statements of Judgment 4:5-6
4. The people trust in deceit 7-9
5. A description of God 10
6. The Covenant’s Been Broken 11
7. Jeremiah’s Question and the LORD’s Answer 12
8. Judgment without mercy 13-16
9. The Sins of Judah 17-18
10. The intensity of judgment 19
11. Pashur’s confrontation 20

III. Pronouncements Against Leaders and People in Judah 21-28

1. Against Jerusalem 21
2. Agaisnt the Royal Line 22
3. Against Religious Leaders 23
4. The Two choices 24
5. The 70 years and judgment on the nations 25
6. The threat to Jeremiah 26
7. The Yokes and Bonds 27-28

IV. The Future Hope 29-33

1. The Letter of Encouragement to the Captives 29
2. Restoration of Israel and Judah 30
3. A New Covenant 31
4. A Return to the Land 32
5. The Voice of Joy 33

V. Obedience is Missing 34-36

1. With respect to slaves 34
2. Example of the Rechabites 35
3. The King and the scroll 36

VI. The Destruction of Jerusalem and the people 37-45

1. The vain hope in Egypt 37
2. Jeremiah in the dungeon 38
3. Jerusalem’s fall 39
4. Gedaliah, the governor 40
5. Gedaliah’s death 41
6. Don’t go to Egypt 42
7. They went to Egypt 43
8. Warning of Punishment in Egypt 44
9. Blessing for Baruch 45

VII. Pronouncement of Judgment on the nations 46-52

1. On Egypt 46
2. On Philistia 47
3. On Moab 48
4. On Ammon 49:1-6
5. On Edom 49:7-22
6. On Syria 49:23-27
7. On Kedar (Arab) and Hazor 49:28-33
8. On Elam (southwest Iran) 49:34-39
9. On Babylon 50-51

VIII. Appendix 52

Key Idea:
Disobedience Brings Judgment. Predominate phrase is “Thus says the LORD.” It’s found 139 times in Jeremiah. It’s only found 123 times in the rest of the Old Testament. The phrase “LORD of hosts”, or “LORD of the armies,” is found 72 times out of a total of 246 times in the Old Testament. God is speaking as the God of the armies of the world.

Key Passage: Jeremiah 31:31-34

Key Lesson: Turn to God before His Judgment falls.