May 25, 2025 - Moving from Confusion to a New Season of Fulfilled Promises - Pastor Paul Vallee

When life comes crashing in on us with trauma and tragedy, we as believers can question our faith. Why is God allowing this to happen? What are God’s purposes in this moment in our lives? We would all agree that life is not just an enjoyable trip with only amazing adventures. God works at shaping our inner lives to conform us into His image. Sometimes, the spiritual journey with twists and turns can be confusing and painful. If we live where disobedience becomes our normal lifestyle, we can anticipate painful outcomes. Yet even God’s discipline is a mercy, bringing us back to Himself and illuminating our paths with his beautiful promises that will be realized in life and for all eternity.

We are now at the final chapter of Jeremiah. The conclusion begins on a distressing note but concludes with a ray of hope. This chapter brings us back to the days leading up to the fall of Jerusalem. It is obvious that Jeremiah is not the author, but the chapter is placed here to show that the prophecies of Jeremiah had been fulfilled. The destruction of the city was because of God’s anger at the continued idolatry and sin of the people.

Jeremiah 52:1-2

Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah.

He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, just as Jehoiakim had done. It was because of the Lord’s anger that all this happened to Jerusalem and Judah, and in the end, he thrust them from his presence.

While this chapter in many ways is a repeated version of what is found in 2 Kings 24:18 - 25:30, with minor variations, the editor's purpose in summarizing the book of Jeremiah was to make a theological point. This is more than simply a historical narrative, as Walter Brueggemann relates: “The concluding line of Jer. 52:3a renders an unqualified theological verdict with the verb 'cast out.” The Exile is Yahweh’s work, evoked by anger, not just with the king but with the city and the nation. At last, Yahweh does what the book of Jeremiah has long anticipated.”

Tremper Longman explains the purpose of this appendix to the book of Jeremiah. “This final chapter serves two important purposes. First, it makes it clear that Jeremiah’s message of judgment on Judah for its sin came to fulfillment. Second, it anticipates that Jeremiah’s message of hope after judgment (chapters 30-33) will be realized.”

So, what lessons from the book of Jeremiah is this chapter relaying to us? We are witnessing the cycle of sin being played out in a nation and the hope of restoration. When we rebel against God, the only option is for God to discipline us. Then, when we come to our senses, in our brokenness and loss, we find the ray of hope to move toward a season of recovery. Here, we see the description of God addressing His exiled people.