Outline of Jeremiah: Judgment and a new covenant

The LORD gives Jeremiah His words and promises to preserve him as he announces judgment and restoration.

A ministry approaching exile 1:1–3 · Appointed and given God’s words 1:4–10 · Two visions confirm the message 1:11–16 · Speak without yielding to fear 1:17–19

The LORD exposes His people’s exchange of His faithful care for idols, injustice and unreliable allies.

Forgotten mercy and covenant betrayal 2:1–9 · A fountain exchanged for broken reservoirs 2:10–13 · Foreign powers cannot replace the LORD 2:14–19 · Idolatry that refuses correction 2:20–28 · Innocence claimed despite violence 2:29–37

The LORD exposes false repentance and promises to gather and restore a people who acknowledge their guilt.

Religious affection cannot conceal betrayal 3:1–5 · Judah refuses Israel’s warning 3:6–11 · Mercy gathers and shepherds the returning people 3:12–18 · Confession answers the call to return 3:19–25

Judah is called to inward repentance as invasion and devastation expose the consequences of rebellion.

Return with a changed heart 4:1–4 · The alarm sounds from the north 4:5–10 · Your own deeds have brought this 4:11–18 · The land appears undone 4:19–28 · Former lovers become enemies 4:29–31

Persistent injustice, idolatry and false prophecy bring judgment, though the LORD will not destroy His people entirely.

A search that exposes hardened hearts 5:1–5 · The rejected word becomes judgment 5:6–17 · A remnant remains in exile 5:18–19 · Fear the Creator and defend the needy 5:20–29 · The people welcome false leadership 5:30–31

Judah rejects the LORD’s warning and the way of rest, while deceptive leaders conceal the seriousness of its sin.

A siege answers oppression 6:1–8 · Closed ears and careless healers 6:9–15 · The good way is refused 6:16–21 · The destroyer approaches 6:22–26 · The refining exposes stubborn corruption 6:27–30

The LORD rejects confidence in the temple and sacrifices when His people persist in injustice and idolatry.

Change your conduct before the LORD 7:1–7 · Remember what happened at Shiloh 7:8–15 · A whole household joins false worship 7:16–20 · Hear and obey the word 7:21–28 · Topheth becomes a place of judgment 7:29–34

Judah refuses to return, rejects God’s word and faces devastation that its false teachers cannot heal.

Even the graves lose their honor 8:1–3 · A people that will not return 8:4–7 · Wisdom that rejects the word 8:8–12 · The promised peace disappears 8:13–17 · Who can heal this wound? 8:18–22

Deceit and stubborn rebellion bring mourning, while true glory lies in knowing the LORD who loves justice.

Grief over a faithless people 9:1–3 · Deceit corrodes every relationship 9:4–9 · The ruined land has a cause 9:10–16 · Teach the daughters to mourn 9:17–22 · Glory in knowing the LORD 9:23–24 · An outward sign cannot replace a changed heart 9:25–26

The LORD alone made and rules all things; idols cannot save Judah from the judgment that calls for humble prayer.

Do not fear gods made by human hands 10:1–5 · The Creator alone is the living King 10:6–16 · Pack for the coming exile 10:17–22 · Dependence shapes a prayer for justice 10:23–25

Judah’s disobedience brings covenant curses, while a plot against Jeremiah exposes rejection of God’s word.

Hear and keep the covenant 11:1–8 · Idols and offerings cannot avert judgment 11:9–17 · The threatened prophet appeals to God 11:18–20 · Anathoth seeks to silence the word 11:21–23

The LORD calls His troubled prophet to endure and promises justice and mercy that extend beyond Judah.

Why do the faithless prosper? 12:1–4 · Greater trials lie ahead 12:5–6 · The beloved inheritance lies ruined 12:7–13 · Neighboring nations face both warning and invitation 12:14–17

Judah’s refusal to hear the LORD turns its privileges into shame, exposing a bondage to sin it cannot cure.

A ruined garment explains a ruined calling 13:1–11 · Judgment overwhelms every rank 13:12–14 · Humble yourselves before darkness comes 13:15–17 · Pride ends in exposure and exile 13:18–27

Judah’s distress and prayers expose its need, but persistent wandering and false prophecy bring the LORD’s judgment.

Drought humbles people and animals 14:1–6 · A prayer appeals to God’s name 14:7–9 · Persistent wandering meets a refusal 14:10–12 · The peace prophets were not sent 14:13–16 · Tears accompany the coming devastation 14:17–18 · Only the LORD can give relief 14:19–22

Judah’s judgment stands, while the LORD corrects His anguished messenger and renews His promise to sustain him.

The announced judgment will not be averted 15:1–9 · Conflict and conquest burden the prophet 15:10–14 · Delight in the word meets unending pain 15:15–18 · Return and speak what is worthy 15:19–21

Jeremiah’s restricted life announces disaster, while the LORD promises to gather exiles and draw nations to worship.

Jeremiah’s life becomes a warning 16:1–9 · Stubborn idolatry explains the disaster 16:10–13 · God promises another great deliverance 16:14–15 · No hiding place conceals guilt 16:16–18 · The nations abandon inherited idols 16:19–21

Judah’s engraved sin brings judgment; blessing belongs to trust in the LORD expressed in obedient worship.

Sin is engraved where obedience belongs 17:1–4 · Two kinds of trust produce different lives 17:5–8 · The hidden heart is open to the LORD 17:9–11 · The prophet seeks healing and protection 17:12–18 · Honor the Sabbath and heed the warning 17:19–27

The LORD has authority to judge and restore nations, but Judah rejects His merciful summons and attacks His messenger.

The potter reshapes the flawed vessel 18:1–4 · The LORD rules the destiny of nations 18:5–10 · A real summons meets stubborn refusal 18:11–12 · The people abandon their faithful source 18:13–17 · The rejected messenger appeals for judgment 18:18–23

Idolatry, innocent blood and refusal to hear make Jerusalem’s coming destruction as certain as a broken jar.

Gather witnesses for the sign 19:1–2 · Bloodshed and false worship bring disaster 19:3–9 · Break the jar before their eyes 19:10–13 · Repeat the warning at the temple 19:14–15

Jeremiah suffers for the word and cannot suppress it, even as confidence in God stands beside profound distress.

A priest punishes the messenger 20:1–6 · The prophet cannot silence the word 20:7–10 · The LORD remains the righteous defender 20:11–13 · Anguish returns after praise 20:14–18

Jerusalem cannot escape the LORD’s judgment through royal appeals; its people must heed His word to live.

The king asks for extraordinary rescue 21:1–2 · The LORD fights against the city 21:3–7 · Hear the offered way of survival 21:8–10 · Royal justice answers false security 21:11–14

Judah’s kings face ruin for injustice and refusal to hear; royal descent and splendid buildings cannot save them.

Justice is required of the royal house 22:1–9 · Shallum will not return 22:10–12 · Luxury exposes Jehoiakim’s injustice 22:13–19 · Prosperity cannot silence coming sorrow 22:20–23 · Coniah’s royal future is cut off 22:24–30

The LORD will gather His flock under a righteous King and expose prophets whose invented words sustain rebellion.

The LORD gathers the scattered flock 23:1–4 · A righteous Davidic King will reign 23:5–8 · Corrupt prophets spread corruption 23:9–15 · False peace lacks a divine commission 23:16–22 · God sees and judges invented messages 23:23–32 · Do not distort the LORD’s oracle 23:33–40

The LORD will care for the exiles and give them hearts to know Him, while false security in Judah meets judgment.

Two baskets make the contrast visible 24:1–3 · The exiles receive a promise of renewal 24:4–7 · Those left behind face further judgment 24:8–10

Judah’s long refusal brings Babylonian rule, but Babylon and the other nations also face the LORD’s judgment.

Repeated warnings have gone unheard 25:1–7 · Babylon rules for an appointed period 25:8–14 · The nations must drink the cup 25:15–29 · No leader can secure escape 25:30–38

Jeremiah faithfully warns the temple worshipers and is spared, though another faithful prophet is killed.

Speak the whole warning 26:1–6 · The religious leaders demand death 26:7–11 · The prophet maintains his commission 26:12–15 · An earlier prophecy supports his defense 26:16–19 · The danger is real and preservation particular 26:20–24

The Creator commands submission to Babylon for a limited time and rejects promises of an immediate reversal.

A yoke makes the message visible 27:1–3 · The Creator assigns temporary dominion 27:4–11 · Zedekiah must hear the same word 27:12–15 · Temple articles will return at God’s time 27:16–22

Hananiah’s reassuring prediction fails, and his death confirms the LORD’s judgment on a prophet He did not send.

Hananiah promises a rapid return 28:1–4 · Jeremiah insists on testing the claim 28:5–9 · The yoke is publicly broken 28:10–11 · The LORD exposes the deception 28:12–17

The exiles must live faithfully in Babylon, resist false hopes and await the restoration God has promised.

A letter reaches the deported community 29:1–3 · Settle down and seek the city’s welfare 29:4–9 · The LORD promises a future beyond exile 29:10–14 · False security and false prophecy bring judgment 29:15–23 · Shemaiah’s campaign against Jeremiah fails 29:24–32

The LORD will save His people through judgment, heal their wounds and restore them under His appointed King.

Preserve the promise of return 30:1–3 · Distress gives way to deliverance 30:4–11 · God heals the incurable wound 30:12–17 · A restored people draw near through their ruler 30:18–22 · Judgment completes God’s purpose 30:23–24

The LORD will gather His people and make a new covenant in which all know Him, with His law within and sins forgiven.

Everlasting love gathers a scattered people 31:1–14 · Grief meets mercy and a call to return 31:15–22 · The LORD builds and refreshes 31:23–30 · The new covenant supplies inward renewal 31:31–34 · God’s faithfulness preserves His people 31:35–37 · The whole city becomes holy 31:38–40

Jeremiah buys a field during the siege because the LORD will restore His people and keep their hearts faithful.

The commanded purchase becomes possible 32:1–8 · The deeds preserve a public sign of hope 32:9–15 · Jeremiah brings the apparent contradiction to God 32:16–25 · God confirms the justice of the coming capture 32:26–35 · God promises a heart that will remain faithful 32:36–41 · Fields will again be purchased 32:42–44

The LORD promises healing, forgiveness and renewed worship under the righteous Davidic ruler His covenant secures.

The imprisoned prophet hears from the Creator 33:1–5 · Healing and forgiveness display God’s goodness 33:6–9 · Joy and worship return to deserted places 33:10–13 · The righteous Branch brings lasting hope 33:14–18 · The promises are as firm as day and night 33:19–22 · God answers the charge of abandonment 33:23–26

Judah’s return to oppression profanes the LORD’s name and brings the judgment its covenant breakers cannot escape.

The king hears of capture and exile 34:1–7 · Freedom is granted and then taken away 34:8–11 · The reversal profanes God’s name 34:12–16 · Denied freedom receives a fearful answer 34:17–22

The Rechabites honor their ancestor’s command, exposing Judah’s refusal to heed the LORD’s repeated calls to turn.

The family receives a public test 35:1–5 · They explain their enduring commitment 35:6–11 · Their obedience exposes Judah’s disobedience 35:12–17 · God promises the family a continuing place 35:18–19

Jehoiakim burns the written warning, but the LORD preserves His word and confirms judgment against the unrepentant king.

Write so that the people may turn 36:1–3 · Baruch writes and reads the message 36:4–10 · The officials listen with fear 36:11–19 · The king cuts and burns the scroll 36:20–26 · The LORD restores the words and adds judgment 36:27–32

Temporary relief from siege and the imprisonment of Jeremiah cannot overturn the LORD’s announced judgment.

The king seeks prayer without obedience 37:1–5 · The LORD rules out false reassurance 37:6–10 · A false charge leads to imprisonment 37:11–16 · The confined prophet keeps speaking truth 37:17–21

Ebed-melech rescues the threatened prophet, while Zedekiah’s fear keeps him from embracing the LORD’s way of survival.

Officials try to silence the prophet through death 38:1–6 · Ebed-melech acts to preserve his life 38:7–13 · The king receives a plain choice 38:14–18 · Fear must yield to the LORD’s word 38:19–23 · The interview remains concealed 38:24–28

Jerusalem’s fall fulfills the rejected warnings, while the LORD preserves Jeremiah and promises Ebed-melech his life.

The siege ends with a breach 39:1–3 · The fleeing king is captured 39:4–7 · The city is ruined and its people scattered 39:8–10 · Jeremiah receives protection 39:11–14 · Ebed-melech receives a promise of life 39:15–18

Jeremiah joins Judah’s survivors under Gedaliah, but a dismissed warning threatens their fragile new beginning.

Jeremiah is freed and chooses Mizpah 40:1–6 · Survivors gather and bring in the harvest 40:7–12 · The governor dismisses a warning 40:13–16

Ishmael’s treachery brings slaughter and captivity, and the rescued survivors turn toward Egypt in fear.

Ishmael murders the governor 41:1–3 · Mourning visitors are deceived and killed 41:4–9 · Captives are taken and then recovered 41:10–15 · Fear turns the survivors toward Egypt 41:16–18

The LORD tells the remnant to remain under His care, exposing a request for guidance that conceals its own choice.

The remnant promises to obey the answer 42:1–6 · Remain and trust the LORD’s care 42:7–12 · Egypt will not provide the safety they seek 42:13–18 · Their profession is exposed as self-deception 42:19–22

The remnant rejects the LORD’s warning and enters Egypt, where a sign announces that Babylon’s judgment will follow.

The leaders reject the answer and blame the messengers 43:1–3 · The remnant goes to Egypt 43:4–7 · A sign announces judgment in the chosen refuge 43:8–13

The remnant defends its idolatry as the source of prosperity, but the LORD identifies it as the cause of judgment.

Remember why Jerusalem became a ruin 44:1–6 · The same rebellion threatens the survivors 44:7–14 · The people defend their false worship 44:15–19 · Jeremiah corrects their account of the disaster 44:20–23 · God’s word will prevail over their defiance 44:24–30

Amid coming upheaval, the LORD calls Baruch to relinquish great things for himself and receive preservation as His gift.

The LORD hears the burdened scribe’s complaint 45:1–3 · Relinquish great things and receive the gift of life 45:4–5

The LORD humbles Egypt’s military pride and false gods, while promising to preserve His people through just discipline.

Egypt’s confident army collapses 46:1–12 · The attack reaches Egypt itself 46:13–24 · Gods and rulers face the LORD 46:25–26 · Jacob is preserved through discipline 46:27–28

The LORD’s appointed judgment overwhelms Philistia, and human anguish cannot command the sword to stop.

An invading flood brings panic 47:1–3 · The coastal peoples enter mourning 47:4–5 · The sword must complete its commission 47:6–7

The LORD judges Moab’s pride and false confidence, yet the long announcement of ruin ends with a promise of restoration.

Moab’s towns and false confidence are exposed 48:1–10 · Undisturbed security is shattered 48:11–25 · Arrogance receives its answer 48:26–30 · Lament accompanies ruined prosperity 48:31–39 · Judgment is certain, but restoration is promised 48:40–47

The LORD overturns the nations’ confidence in territory, wealth, wisdom and weapons, while preserving hope by His mercy.

Ammon’s seizure and confidence are judged 49:1–6 · Edom’s wisdom and heights cannot protect it 49:7–22 · Damascus is seized by panic 49:23–27 · Kedar and Hazor lose their false security 49:28–33 · Elam’s bow is broken and its people scattered 49:34–39

The LORD will judge proud Babylon and redeem His scattered people, forgiving the remnant He preserves.

Babylon falls as God’s people seek Him 50:1–7 · Leave Babylon and announce its recompense 50:8–16 · The scattered flock receives pasture and pardon 50:17–20 · Babylon’s pride is answered by judgment 50:21–32 · The strong Redeemer takes up the captives’ cause 50:33–40 · The LORD’s plan cannot be resisted 50:41–46

The Creator vindicates His people against Babylon, and a sinking scroll portrays the certainty of the empire’s downfall.

Leave the city whose judgment is appointed 51:1–14 · The Creator surpasses lifeless idols 51:15–19 · The destroying power will itself be broken 51:20–33 · The LORD answers Zion’s complaint 51:34–44 · Remember the LORD and trust His repayment 51:45–58 · The sinking scroll enacts the announced end 51:59–64

Jerusalem’s ruin confirms the LORD’s warnings, while Jehoiachin’s release leaves the story open to His promised mercy.

The king’s rebellion ends in captivity 52:1–11 · The city and temple are burned 52:12–16 · The temple’s furnishings are carried away 52:17–23 · Executions and exile mark Judah’s loss 52:24–30 · Jehoiachin receives release and provision 52:31–34