By Ian D’Souza

Introduction:  After King Solomon’s death, the United Kingdom of Israel split into two parts – the Northern and Southern Kingdom.  The Northern Kingdom was called Israel and the Southern Kingdom was called Judah.  Jeremiah served as a prophet to Judah from 627 BC to 586 BC, that is up to the exile of Judah to Babylon.  He was the last of the pre-exile prophets and prophesied for 40 years in Judah. He preached during a time when the country was deteriorating economically, socially and spiritually.  People had moved away from God and Jeremiah was urging them to repent as he was deeply grieved over the spiritual condition of the people.  He grieved so much that he was called the “weeping prophet”.  He preached not only sin and judgement, but also hope and restoration.  He was also called the “prophet of loneliness” as he was commanded not to marry (Jer 16:2). This command – not to marry was specific to him and is not for everybody. Continue reading →