This is the eighteenth in a series of biblical summaries from David Dorsey's book: The Literary Structure of the Old Testament. This is the second in the sub-series of major prophets, covering Jeremiah.
a oracles against Judah: coming invasion and disaster from the north (1:1-12:17)
b Judah's exile and suffering predicted (13:1-20:18)
c dated messages of judgment (21:1-29:32)
d CENTER: messages of future hope (30:1-33:26)
c' dated messages of judgment (34:1-35:19)
b' Judah's fall and exile (36:1-45:5)
a' oracles against the nations: coming invasions and disasters from the north (46:1-51:64)
appendix (52:1-34)
The 'a' pattern relates Judah's imminent fall to the nations' ultimate fall. In the first section, Jeremiah is appointed over the nations to declare God's judgments against them, and he has messages to nations including Egypt, Edom, and more. In the second section, Jeremiah declares God's judgments against the nations, including Egypt, Edom, and more. The first section has an account of Judah's invasion. The second section has an account of the nations' invasions. Both have depictions of battle scenes, horses, trumpet alarms, swords and bows, casualties, destruction of towns, exiles, and more. In the first section, there are exhortations to weep and wail over Judah's fall. In the second section, there are exhortations to weep and wail over various nations' fall. Both sections have themes of disaster coming from the north. All this suggests that Judah's fall is part of a larger plan, and God will have his vengeance on these boastful nations.
The 'b' pattern shows the fulfillment of Judah's fall and exile. Much of this turns on Jeremiah's role as prophet in God's plans. In the first section, Jeremiah complains of his persecution. In the second section, we find stories of Jeremiah's persecution. In the first section, Jeremiah is beaten and imprisoned at Upper Benjamin Gate by Pashhur. In the second section, Jeremiah is arrested at Benjamin Gate, and is beaten and imprisoned by Pashhur and others. In the first, Jeremiah complains about his persecution. God will save him from his enemies. In the second, Jeremiah's persecution is documented, and he is saved from his enemies repeatedly. In the first section, Jeremiah prays he will be vindicated and avenged. In the second section, Jeremiah is vindicated in that his predictions come true, and he is avenged through the fall of Judah. Finally, both sections share themes of swords, famine, and plague. All this suggests that Jeremiah truly is God's prophet for what he is accomplishing.
The 'c' pattern links two sections with particular messages of judgment. Both begin with messages to Zedekiah during a siege that the city will fall to Babylonians and be burned, and that Zedekiah will be captured. Both speak of the failure of Davidic kings to be just and to rescue the oppressed. Finally, both include symbolic messages about cups of wine. All this reminds us of the theme of God's judgment on the nations.
The 'd' section is central, focusing on future messages of hope. David Dorsey writes: "Unlike many prophetic books, the central slot here does not feature a climactic call to repentance...the exiles should wait patiently for God's restoration; he has promised that he will bring them back home." (245)
No comments:
Post a Comment