BIBLE POETRY (C)

An Introduction to the Book of Jeremiah, From the Holy Bible.

About Jeremiah.

The Judean priest and prophet, Jeremiah, began his prophetic ministry, warning the wicked and offering comfort to those who trusted in God, around the time of 627 BC, and experienced the golden years of his ministry during the reign of King Josiah of Judah, from 640 BC – 609 BC.

Well-known, both nationally and internationally, the lifetime of Jeremiah was an eventful time period in his life. At that time, Judah was under the rule of King Josiah, and as such, experienced a political and religious revival as the Assyrian Kingdom declined and was terminated with the destruction of Nineveh in 612 BC.

As the confidant and friend to King Josiah, Jeremiah had a difficult time entering into a time of persecution with intermittent periods of freedom. Constantly facing opposition from political and religious leaders: Defeating the Egyptians in 605 BC at Carchemish, the Babylonians advanced to Jerusalem, taking hostages into exile: Babylon, Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Egypt (Jeremiah 39: 9-10; 40: 11-12; 43: 5-7 KJV).

A Short History of Judah and the Death of Jeremiah in Egypt.

In 597 BC they returned to take King Jehoiachin and some 10,000 Jews into captivity. Although Jeremiah advised submission to the Babylonians the Jews rebelled, and in 586 BC. Jerusalem with its temple was turned into ruins. Throughout these years, Jeremiah suffered imprisonment, but was divinely protected by God (Jeremiah 39: 11-12 KJV).

Jeremiah also tells of the sinful conditions prevailing in Judah, under the rule of King Josiah and its demise under King Joachim who was dethroned by the King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar in 597 B.C. (Jeremiah 45; Jeremiah 46: 1-2 ; Isaiah 19 - 20; Ezekiel 29 - 32; Zechariah 14: 18, 19 KJV)

After Jerusalem was destroyed, Jeremiah chose to remain with the remnant and was finally taken to Egypt where they were slaughtered (Jeremiah 44 KJV).

A Quick Recap of the Book of Jeremiah as told in The Holy Bible.

BIBLE POETRY (C): JEREMIAH 23: 16 - 20 KJV

This poem was inspired by the bible verse, in the book of Jeremiah 23: 16 - 20 of the King James Version:

"16 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord.

17 They say still unto them that despise me, The Lord hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.

18 For who hath stood in the counsel of the Lord, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?

19 Behold, a whirlwind of the Lord is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.

20 The anger of the Lord shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly."

- An excerpt from the Book of Jeremiah, Chapter 23, verses 16-20 of the King James Version.

The Poem:

BIBLE POETRY (C): JEREMIAH 23: 16-20 KJV

You liars, you fools, you snakes

Y0u fools, you scoundrels, and pervs

Why do you lie to those who hate ME,

And tell them, "Peace be unto you" ?

How you deceive those -

The ones who go after the desires of their own heart -

Guaranteeing them safe-keeping [from evil].

I laugh at their own demise.

For who hath stood in the presence of MY counsel?

Who hath perceived and heard MY word?

Who hath marked MY word and hath heard it?

Beware, o' ye of little hope,

For I am, the LORD GOD OF HOSTS,

JEHOVAH SABAOTH

I Shall perform great works of fury,

Even a grievous penalty shall I set in motion

Upon the heads of all who are wicked

For I will send out a very, and wicked force against thee

That Shall befall thee, for I am JEHOVAH TZEDKANU

THE LORD OF RIGHT-KEEPING

For ye are a stubborn generation,

And a burden to every nation

Rebellious are ye, and yet you say you deserve to be blessed

But how can I, the EL SHADDAI

GOD OF POWER, GOD ALMIGHTY

Bless you, when you disobey MY every command

For I have kindled a fire, blazing hot

So hot, that it sets Sheol, cool

May this flame burn until the day my thoughts on my heart,

Have been performed and made,

PERFECT.

Copyright 2022, Rev. Nnedi Iwuchukwu, BA, M.Msc, LMT, LMI, MMP, RYT-200