BOT 662: Jeremiah, 1-3 Credits
Daniel J. Dyke, Associate Professor
Cincinnati Bible College & Seminary

Pre-Session 2000

Telephone: 244-6055 ⁽¹⁾
dan.dyke@goodnews.net
dan.dyke@juno.com

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND RATIONALE

The late seventh and early sixth centuries were the most difficult times that the kingdom of Judah faced. They had survived the idolatrous reigns of Manasseh and Amon without seeming to incur the full wrath of Yahweh. Their leader Josiah had brought about extensive religious and political reforms that would seem to insure a bright future for the nation. With Josiah's untimely death these reforms were immediately forgotten and even blamed for the troubles that the nation faced.

Prophetic activity reached its zenith during Jeremiah's life. Early on he had lived during the ministries of Huldah, Zephaniah, Uriah, Habakkuk, and others. But later he would feel very alone as he ministered God's word. It was not that there were not other prophets, but there were no prophets who shared his message of impending doom and the need for repentance.

Later, after the death of Josiah, Jeremiah would see the people blame Josiah's reform for the political and social turmoil of the country. What really brought about these troubles was the apostasy of the kings, princes, priests, landed gentry, and prophets. These groups not only worshiped other gods, but had tried to revise the belief system of the people. They would promote a revised national theology that promised a bright future, but demanded no love, faithfulness, and repentance on the part of the people.

It seemed that only one family, one scribe, and one prophet stood in opposition to this new theology. At the forefront of this great spiritual conflict was one man, Jeremiah. The prophet was from a family of exiled priests and was thus able to take advantage of his lineage, which insured that his person was inviolate, to walk in the streets of Jerusalem and even in courts of the temple and palace to say, "Hear the word of Yahweh!" For his stance as a man of God, he would suffer loss, abuse, and humiliation. His soul would be in trouble from without and within. He would himself stand on that fine line between faith and failure; devotion and apostasy.

This study will examine the tragic course of Jeremiah's life, the torture of his soul, and the messages that he delivered to his generation. The teacher and the students will enter into the critical discussion that surrounds this prophet's work. The student will be introduced to the tools of scholarly research so that when the course is over he can continue the study of the text in an objective fashion.

OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course the student who has applied himself should . . .

demonstrate a general knowledge of the issues centering on the date, historical context, authorship, and major critical problems associated with this book.

be familiar with the contents of the book and the major themes developed by the author.

have gained an appreciation for the literary, liturgical, and devotional values of this portion of biblical material.

be able to relate the material presented to the needs of modern man.

be a able to practice sound hermeneutical principles as he deals with the text.

AGENDA

Lecture Schedule

Day 1: Introduction to the book of Jeremiah
 Date and Authorship
Structure
Jeremiah's Prophetic Type
The Historical Framework of the Time
Historicity
The Contribution of John Bright
Zechariah and Daniel Reflect on Jeremiah
Theology: Zion-David (Conditional-Unconditional Covenant), Mosaic Covenant,
Shub as the Way to Life

Days 2-5: Exegesis of the Text

A. Jeremiah and His Nation
 

Pre-Jeremianic Matters

Dated Materials

 
627-622: Early Preaching: of Jeremiah
622-609: The Silent Years
609: The Death of Josiah
609-605: Judah as an Egyptian Vassal
605-601: Judah as a Babylonian Vassal
601-598: A Few Days of Freedom
598-597: A Few Months behind Walls
597-594: A Spineless King
594: False Prophets and a Failed Council
594-588: False Hopes are Raised
588-586: The Beautiful Princess is Defiled
586-582: Gedaliah is Governor
582-?: A Silent End

• Texts without Historical Context

B. God and the Nations

• The New Testament Use of Jeremiah
• Theological Reflection

TEXTBOOKS

Textbooks are not an option, but a necessity for the completion of this course. The value of a textbook transcends the immediate needs of a course in that it should become an invaluable part of a Christian's library.

Bright, John. Covenant and Promise: The Prophetic Understanding of the Future in Pre-Exilic Israel. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1976.

Thompson, J. A.  Jeremiah. New International Commentary. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.,. (JAT)

REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS

1 Credit: The student who takes this option must do the following:
 

• Attend all lectures
• Do the reading assignments from the textbooks.
• Organize a notebook of class lectures and materials.

 2 Credits: Students taking the course for two credits must take the final test and do one additional project.
 

3 Credits: Students taking the course for three credits must take the final test and do two additional projects
 

Test: There will be a final test over the following topics.
 

• Survey of the life, times and message of Jeremiah
• Choose one of the following topics and fully develop it:

• Jeremiah's 70 weeks prophecy
• The New Covenant as the Ultimate Consolation
• Jeremiah's Hope
• God and Babylon

Project List
 

• Reading

• JAT: The Introduction to the Commentary.
• CAP: The entire book.
• 500 pages of additional materials dealing with either the text of Jeremiah or the history/theology of the exile.
• Research: Chose one of the following projects.

• Egypt: A Vain and Empty Hope
• Jeremiah in Later Literature
• Translation: Analyze and Translate Jeremiah 27:1-29:10 from the MT, Vulgate, or LXX.
• A Word Study and Report: Repent (bWv/shub) [All Pre-Exilic and Exilic References in the Historical and Prophetic Literature]
• The Fall of Babylon: A Prophetic and Historic Event
• The Solomonic Temple in Jeremiah and Ezekiel

 The student who is using this class for his non-thesis option mustdo a 30-35 page paper for his project. The paper may use either footnotes or endnotes, but not parenthetical notes. The student must show evidence of having read from at least 25 books in preparation for the paper. The paper must be clearly marked that it is a non-thesis option paper.
 
 

EVALUATION AND GRADING PROCEDURES

Each project, report, test is treated as being of equal value. Materials are due by September 30, 2000.

LATE WORK

The penalty that is assessed will be based upon the reason for the tardiness, the importance of the assignment, and any other circumstance that might have bearing on the matter. If a person is habitually tardy or absent, mercy will not be extended.

DRESS CODE

Be modest. Shorts are allowed because it is summer.

LEGAL MATTERS

The tests and assignments listed may be modified in the sense that the professor may choose to change the due date or cancel the assignment or test completely. No assignment will be added unless it is voluntary and for extra credit. The professor does not guarantee that all listed topics will be covered. Papers will be returned at the professor's discretion. Final tests will not be returned. Student's are responsible to challenge any grade that they think is incorrect by the end of the first week of the following semester.