Jeremiah - Introduction

This is one of my favourite books. It is the longest book in the Bible. Jeremiah prophesied from about 626 BC to 586BC. He covered many kings, starting with the good king Josiah (640-609 BC), then the bad kings of Jehoahaz (609 BC), Jehoiakim (609-598 BC), Jehoiachin (598-586 BC), and Zedekiah (597-586 BC).
The period covered the eventual downfall of Jerusalem. Egypt for a time was very powerful and held sway over Judah, but then she suffered a major defeat at the hands of Babylon. This happened at Carchmish in 605 BC. The rulers of Judah were at a loss of what to do, and generally made increasingly bad decisions.
Jeremiah came from a priestly family. The book is the one which gives the greatest insight into the emotional world of a prophet, several passages describing the torment that Jeremiah went through.
It is no surprise that Jeremiah suffered so much. His message was largely one of doom. Moreover, he told the people to surrender to the Babylonians and that the temple would be of no use to them. He challenged every long held attachment of the people. This is why he was so unpopular and was persecuted. Yet in the midst of all this there is hope. Jeremiah 31 is perhaps the best example with its promise of the new covenant.
The book is not set out in a strict chronological order. Chronologically the order is roughly (taken from TNIV study bible):
1:1-7:15
26
7:16-20:18
25
46-51
36:1-8
45
36:9-32
35
21-24
27-31
34:1-7
37:1-10
34:8-22
37:11-38:13
39:15-18
32-33
38:14-39:14
52:1-30
40-44
52:31-34