Jeremiah was the last major prophet in Judah before the Babylonian captivity and remained in that capacity until 586-585 B.C. He began his career in 627 B.C. Jeremiah was the son of a priest and may have been an acting priest before he was called by God.
Paganism, idol worship, was still prevalent after King Manasseh’s reign. King Josiah did his best to bring reform and the nation back to God, but a lot of what he got was only lip service. Most of Jeremiah’s ministry after the death of Josiah was politically incorrect, and he was heavily criticized and ostracized for it. The book includes both his messages and his life. Much of Jeremiah’s ministry was trying to keep the last king, Zedekiah, from rebelling against the Babylonians, but, as with most of the prophets, he completely failed and Jerusalem was destroyed. None of Josiah’s sons nor his grandson wanted to serve the Lord. Entries into the book are not in chronological order; they are more topically arranged than anything.
Key verse: “The Lord gave me this message: ‘I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations’!” Jeremiah 1:4 & 5 NLT.