Jeremiah 4: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Jeremiah 4 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Yahweh calls Israel to return and put away their abominations to avoid being removed (vv. 1-4). He urges them to break up their fallow ground and circumcise their hearts.

Key verse

“If you will return, Israel,” says Yahweh, “if you will return to me, and if you will put away your abominations out of my sight; then you will not be removed;”
Jeremiah 4:1 (WEB)

Outline

Jeremiah 4:1–4 Call to Repentance
Jeremiah 4:5–10 Warning of Impending Judgment
Jeremiah 4:11–18 Severe Consequences of Rebellion
Jeremiah 4:19–26 Lament for the People
Jeremiah 4:27–31 Final Desolation and Grief

Discussion questions

In v2, what do the people of Judah need to swear in order to be blessed?
What does Yahweh ask the men of Judah to do in v3?
In vv. 10-11, how do the people's expectations differ from the reality of Yahweh's message?
In v22, what does it mean for the people to be 'skillful in doing evil'?
When have you felt the need to 'wash your heart from wickedness' as mentioned in v14?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Jeremiah 4: Genesis 1, Jeremiah 5, Jeremiah 6.

Before next time: read Jeremiah 5.