Jeremiah and The Chariots of Fire

Weekly Fun Sheet for 3.3 – 3.7

The Writing Prophets: Jeremiah (read text, pp. 187-94)

• Monday: Assign Chariots of Fire reflection/reaction sheet; begin Jeremiah

• Tuesday: Jeremiah 5: 1-5, 26-29; Jeremiah 7: 1-15; Jeremiah 10: 1-16

• Wednesday: Jeremiah 19; Jeremiah 20; Jeremiah 29: 1-15

• Thursday: Fun Times with Rabbi “Shalom” Berkun

• Friday: due Chariots of Fire reaction/reflection; Jeremiah 31: 31-34; 39; 42; 43

Brothers,

From iLumina interactive biblical encyclopedia:

WHAT is success? Most definitions include references to achieving goals and acquiring wealth, prestige, favor, and power. “Successful” people enjoy the good life—being financially and emotionally secure, being surrounded by admirers, and enjoying the fruits of their labors. They are leaders, opinion makers, and trendsetters. Their example is emulated; their accomplishments are noticed. They know who they are and where they are going, and they stride confidently to meet their goals.

By these standards, Jeremiah was a miserable failure. For 40 years he served as God’s spokesman to Judah; but when Jeremiah spoke, nobody listened. Consistently and passionately he urged them to act, but nobody moved. And he certainly did not attain material success. He was poor and underwent severe deprivation to deliver his prophecies. He was thrown into prison (chapter 37) and into a cistern (chapter 38), and he was taken to Egypt against his will (chapter 43). He was rejected by his neighbors (11:19-21), his family (12:6), the false priests and prophets (20:1-2; 28:1-17), friends (20:10), his audience (26:8), and the kings (36:23). Throughout his life, Jeremiah stood alone, declaring God’s messages of doom, announcing the new covenant, and weeping over the fate of his beloved country. In the eyes of the world, Jeremiah was not a success.

But in God’s eyes, Jeremiah was one of the most successful people in all of history. Success, as measured by God, involves obedience and faithfulness. Regardless of opposition and personal cost, Jeremiah courageously and faithfully proclaimed the word of God. He was obedient to his calling. Jeremiah’s book begins with his call to be a prophet. The next 38 chapters are prophecies about Israel (the nation united) and Judah (the southern kingdom). Chapters 2–20 are general and undated, and chapters 21–39 are particular and dated. The basic theme of Jeremiah’s message is simple: “Repent and turn to God, or he will punish.” Because the people rejected this warning, Jeremiah then began predicting the destruction of Jerusalem. This terrible event is described in chapter 39. Chapters 40–45 describe events following Jerusalem’s fall. The book concludes with prophecies concerning a variety of nations (chapters 46–52).

As you read Jeremiah, feel with him as he agonizes over the message he must deliver, pray with him for those who refuse to respond to the truth, and watch his example of faith and courage. Then commit yourself to being successful in God’s eyes.

Pupose: To urge God’s people to turn from their sins and back to God

Audience: Judah (the southern kingdom) and its capital city, Jerusalem

Date: c. 627-586 B.C.

Setting: Jeremiah ministered under Judah’s last five kings—Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. The nation was sliding quickly toward destruction and was eventually conquered by Babylon in 586 B.C.

Chariots of Fire: Film Reaction and Reflection

Brothers,

In the Book of Isaiah, we read about the prophet’s vision of the Seraphim and his willing response to God’s question, “Whom shall I send?” Isaiah gives a confident, “Here I am! Send me!” As a prophet, it became Isaiah’s vocation to voice God’s displeasure with the people’s sins in Judah; Isaiah became God’s mouthpiece, “running the race” for the sake of upholding God’s glory in a land stricken by greed, violence, and idolatry.

That said, think of how this idea of vocation and of being a prophet fits into the story of Chariots of Fire. As a reaction to the film, please answer the following questions in complete sentences:

1. What is vocation?

2. What is the vocation of the two main characters in the film: Eric Lidell (the Scotsman) and Harold Abrahams (the Jewish man)? How do these guys view their vocation?

3. What obstacles do they have to overcome?

4. How do you think they fulfill God’s will?

5. What is your general reaction to the film? Did you like it/dislike it? Explain.