Be Decisive (Jeremiah) : Taking a Stand for the Truth

The "Be" Commentary

by Warren W. Wiersbe

Imagine living in a world with no moral absolutes. A place where truth is in the eye of the beholder. A society with eroding standards. Sound familiar? Yet this dilemma is not new. The prophet Jeremiah was called to take a public, and unpopular, stand for God's truth. His story can inspire us to make the powerful, decisive choice to say firm in our faith and values. Part of Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe's best-selling "BE" commentary series, Be Decisive has now been updated with study questions and a new introduction by Ken Baugh. A respected pastor and Bible teacher, Dr. Wiersbe shares the need for decisive believers in a lukewarm culture.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Non Fiction, Religion, Ebooks, Christianity, Reference

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 1985

About the author

Warren W. Wiersbe, former pastor of the Moody Church and general director of Back to the Bible, has traveled widely as a Bible teacher and conference speaker. Because of his encouragement to those in ministry, Dr. Wiersbe is often referred to as 'the pastor's pastor.' He has ministered in churches and conferences throughout the United States as well as in Canada, Central and South America, and Europe. Dr. Wiersbe has written over 150 books, including the popular BE series of commentaries on every book of the Bible, which has sold more than four million copies. At the 2002 Christian Booksellers Convention, he was awarded the Gold Medallion Lifetime Achievement Award by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Dr. Wiersbe and his wife, Betty, live in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Reviews

[Mariah Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this commentary last year when our church started working its way through Jeremiah. It was an excellent way to go a bit deeper each week in the scripture studied. While Wiersbe is no Matthew Henry, I appreciated the content and the questions at the end of each chapter provided great family discussions.

Reading Jeremiah through 2020 was very thought provoking, for “they preferred dead idols to the living God, and power politics to simple faith in His word.”

[Donna Pfeiffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wiersbe is an excellent resource to dig deeper into the individual books of God's Word. His historical framework and references to significant Hebrew words help to understand the passages more fully. Jeremiah's courage at such an evil time in God's people's era was amazing. Jeremiah's use of figurative words and discourse, along with the use of every day images to aid the people's understanding, are similar to the way Christ taught. Another book that helps us to understand the coming millennial kingdom and the need to consider the truth of God's Word.

[Laurel Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent expository and devotional commentary on the Old Testament prophetic book of Jeremiah.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best way I found to do this was to read a chapter and complete the study at the end of the book (as I was reading the chapter)... I have the 1995 edition and there is a printing error (on the Study Questions) Here it is (so you can complete the exercise):

Study Question Printing Error:

- Chapter Eight, question 2 - return of King Jehoiachin - should be 22:24-27, not 27:24-27

I am not sure if there are any more errors, but I did not write it down if there were...

I think the author wrote this book to those who take grace for granted... Having been raised Catholic, I already think everything is my fault, and I had to pray to continue reading it... By Chapter 10, I wanted to give up, but I had already left my Bible opened in the book of Jeremiah (correct chapter), so I sat down and read the chapters (after I prayed that I could finish it). When I tried to do the exercises, I saw that my answers were somehow showing God's grace instead of the prophet's commitment... The author asked about Jeremiah complete commitment to God, and my answer was that what I saw was God's commitment to His people. When I got to the third question I realized I had read Ezekiel instead of Jeremiah. I think one of my children moved the pages of my Bible, but the chapters were the same, so I did not realize it until after reading the chapters and trying to complete the questions... So I read Jeremiah and completed the questions, but it was easier.

Same think happened to Chapter Eleven exercise. I read Isaiah instead of Jeremiah (noticed it on question 2)... After that, it was much easier finishing the book. I think that was God's way of showing his imperfect daughter who longs to be perfect and cannot (I have a wretched temper that I can control so that people do not notice, but that it is still raging war inwardly) - well, it was God's way of showing me that He does not give up on me. And that is awesome! :)

[Mike Eccles · Rating 3 out of 5]

My goodness, this was hard work. Jeremiah is both longer and more full of historical narrative than I had realised. The great thing about Wiersbe's volume is that through his writing he encouraged me to complete the task of reading this book in the Bible. I can now say I have read it! Less great is that there are so many historical facts and characters involved. I find it difficult to carry the names and history in my head from one daily reading to the next, so I lose the historical plot. Nevertheless, as ever, Wiersbe's insight into the significance of the events and words, and his expertise in putting them into a contemporary Christian context made things worthwhile. His "Postlude" is particularly helpful.

[Clara Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this when I was reading the book of Jeremiah. This book was so helpful in understanding the Biblical text. Wiersbe sums up his book with six points: 1)in difficult days, we need to hear and heed the word of God 2)true prophets of God are usually (if not always)persecuted 3)True patriotism isn't blind to sin 4)God's servants occasionally have their doubts and failings 5)the important thing isn't success; its faithfulness 6)the greatest reward of ministry is to become like Jesus Christ.

[Frans Kempe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A biblestudy companion to Jeremiah. He brings out a good overview of the book and its content.

[Barbara Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pastor and Bible teacher Warren Wiersbe shared his thoughts and insights on the book of Jeremiah in Be Decisive (Jeremiah): Taking a Stand for the Truth.

Jeremiah had a tough job. God’s people had worshiped idols for decades. They hadn’t obeyed His laws. They had also gone to other nations for help instead of God, in spite of the fact that He had provided for them and delivered them time and again. He sent prophets at various times to point them back to Him. But they refused.

The time came that God had to deal with them more severely. He was sending punishment in the form of the Babylonians, who would conquer their nation, destroy their temple, and take most of the population back to Babylon.

God would not annihilate them completely. He would preserve a remnant. He would keep His promises to maintain David’s lineage and bring forth the promised Messiah. “The purpose of chastening is that we might seek the Lord, confess our sins, and draw near to Him (Heb. 12: 3–13)” (p. 140). But for now, they were to go to Babylon, make their homes there, and settle in for seventy years.

God called Jeremiah to give this message to His people. They didn’t listen any better than they had before.

The false prophets preached what the people wanted to hear, but Jeremiah preached what the people needed to hear (p. 134).

The civil and religious leaders of Judah preferred the pleasant messages of the false prophets to the strong words of God’s true servant, because the human heart wants to rest, not repent. It wants peace, but it wants it without having to deal with the basic cause of unrest—unbelief (p. 211).

Further, Jeremiah’s instruction to actually submit to Babylon sounded like treason.

Jeremiah is sometimes called the “weeping prophet.” Though he had to point out the people’s sins in order to try to bring them to repentance, and though he knew they deserved what was coming, he still had compassion on them.

At least sixty-six times the word heart is found in the book of Jeremiah, for he is preeminently the prophet of the heart (p. 16).

We call Jeremiah “the weeping prophet,” and he was (9: 1), but he was also a courageous man who faced many dangers and trials and remained true to the Lord (p. 22).

Like many of us, Jeremiah balked at first at God’s calling.

Jeremiah hesitated as he looked at the work before him and the wickedness around him, and when he looked at the weakness within himself, Jeremiah was certain that he wasn’t the man for the job.

When it comes to serving the Lord, there’s a sense in which nobody is adequate. “And who is sufficient for these things?” (2 Cor. 2: 16) asked the great apostle Paul as he pondered the responsibilities of ministry. Paul then answered his own question: “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God” (3: 5).

When God calls us, however, He isn’t making a mistake, and for us to hesitate or refuse to obey is to act on the basis of unbelief and not faith (p. 20).

At the end of Jeremiah’s ministry, it may not have looked like he accomplished much.

By today’s human standards of ministry, Jeremiah was a dismal failure. He preached to the same people for over forty years, and yet few of them believed him or obeyed his message. He had few friends who stood with him and encouraged him. The nation he tried to save from ruin abandoned their God and plunged headlong into disaster (p. 213).

Jeremiah may have thought he had failed, but God saw him as a faithful servant, and that’s all that really counts (p. 213).

Jeremiah is one of Scripture’s greatest examples of faithfulness and decisive action in the face of physical danger and national decay (p. 20).

Some other quotes that stood out to me:

Any theology that minimizes God’s holiness and tolerates people’s deliberate sinfulness is a false theology (p. 52).

That on which I center my attention and affection and for which I am willing to sacrifice is my god, and if it isn’t Jesus Christ, then it’s an idol. “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5: 21) (p. 60).

The remedy for idolatry is for us to get caught up in the majesty and grandeur of God, the true God, the living God, the everlasting King. An idol is a substitute, and you would never want a substitute once you have experienced the love and power of the Lord God Almighty (p. 60).

That, however, is what faith is all about: obeying God in spite of what we see, how we feel, and what may happen. It’s well been said that faith is not believing in spite of evidence but obeying in spite of consequence” (p. 153).

I benefited from reading Jeremiah again, and Dr. Wiersbe’s insights were a great help.

[Elisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started going thru this book last year. I've read several of the "BE" series by Wiersbe and have found them helpful when studying a certain book of the Bible. This one was a bit of a slog for me because Jeremiah is such a long book and there are so many historical details. I love history but had to take this book in small chunks in order to not get lost in all the details of what was and would happen. I recently picked this back up to finish (I had about 4 chapters left) and again, found it helpful but something I could only read in small sections. Even the putting down and taking up of this book by me was a neat reminder of God's timing. With everything going on in our world today, people trying to figure out what God is doing and arguing vehemently about what God wants us to do during this pandemic; this quote (and many others are timely) "Sometimes God's people take this false approach in discerning the will of God. Instead of honestly seeking God's will, they go from counselor to counselor, asking for advice and hoping they'll find somebody who will agree with their hidden agenda"

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy Wiersbe's books and this one did not disappoint. I read this primarily because I wanted to get a better understanding of the link between Daniel and the prophecies of Jeremiah. Like many OT books this had a lot of history to read about along with Jeremiah's life and the book is long. But it helped me understand what was going on with the Hebrew nation at that time. Each chapter ends with study questions or small group discussion points. Overall I think it is a worthwhile commentary.

[R. Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Vary Detailed Commentary

This is a very detailed commentary of the Book of Jeremiah which covers Judah's history and their failure in obeying God and His prophet, Jeremiah. It covers the reigns of Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin (Jeconiah), and Zedekiah. Makes an excellent Bible study of the Book of Jeremiah. I highly recommend this book

[Heather Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent commentary that brings together historical and Biblical insight into Jeremiah’s wrirings. It is helpful to see the timeline of these writings because this book is not linear in how it is put together. Wiersbe brings practical application and insigh to umt summer bible study group. We have deep and lively conversation with Wiersbe’s commentary.

[Marcus Goncalves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great study in the book of Jeremiah in the Bible. Although I’m for from being an expert on Jeremiah, I know understand more than I did, including the historical context. I have a lot of respect and admiration for a prophet who who went through so much and still committed to preaching God's Word.

[Angel Bunton-Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decisive

Did a bible study live based off notes from this book for the past 4-5 months and the message of Jeremiah's time, still rings true today, repent and turn from your evil ways. What a blessing

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent study help!

Well-written, in-depth study help that was very informative and helpful for a group study of Jeremiah. Warren W. Wiersbe writes well!

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 5 out of 5]

16/50 of be series. i read alphabetically.
not theologically deep but perfect for bible study group.

[Dani Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic study! Simply worded and well laid out. Loved it.

[F. Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful thought provoking book on Jeremiah. Made me wonder about the future of our country.

[Lillie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read several of Wiersbe's studies on different books of the Bible and always find them helpful. Jeremiah has always been very difficult for me to understand, so it really helped to read a passage and then read the commentary on it. I'm still not an expert on Jeremiah, but I understand more than I did. And I certainly have great admiration for a prophet who would undergo everything Jeremiah did and still be committed to preaching God's Word.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be Decisive: Taking a Stand for the Truth, by Warren Wiersbe

Jeremiah’s primary message was a warning to repent and turn back to God. In chapter seven, Jeremiah says he told the people that God promised: “…Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you” (Jeremiah 7:23). Unfortunately, the very next verse informs us: “But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward” (24). Through Jeremiah, God warned the people what would happen if they continued in their idolatry and sin, and it all happened just as God said it would because they did not repent and turn back to God. The book of Jeremiah also records the promise that God would bring captive Israel back home - after they served Babylon for 70
years. This also happened, just as Hr said. God is a God of love, but He is also a Holy God and cannot abide sin. Sin cannot go unpunished. For this reason, and because He loves us, God sent Jesus to bear the burden, the punishment, for all our sins, so we can be forgiven, if we accept the free gift of salvation, and we can spend eternity with Him!

In the introduction to this Bible Study, Ken Baugh writes: “I pray that as you read Jeremiah, you will see the numerous times God warned His people to repent. I pray that you will see how they refused and God reluctantly sent His judgment. I urge you, if you are a child of God and if there is sin in your life, to be decisive and repent.”

[DT · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for the first time in 2020 and then reread it this month. Back in 2020, I gave it a five star review. I would only give it three stars now, and that’s being a bit generous.

I know the point of this series is to be more general and not get overly specific and academic. What made me love this book the first time I read it was the in depth explanations of Jeremiah Chapter 1. I keep coming back to those insights. He even explained the pun with the almond blossom which I would have considered to be beyond the scope of the book. The final chapter of the book where he explains Jeremiah 50-51 was also well done.

His “commentary” on the rest of the chapters are more like vague summaries with random quotes from American presidents thrown in (this is my biggest pet peeve with Wiersbe). Another alarming issue I have with this book is the number of times Weirsbe talks about how “God can’t” do certain things without humans doing x, y, z first. I find these statements almost blasphemous.

I really liked how Wiersbe emphasized that the point of our callings / ministry is to be made more like Christ, but I wish he had talked more about the messianic implications of Jeremiah.

[Deb Brammer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of WWW's be series, but I especially enjoyed this one. I studied it extensively for personal use and thinking through Jeremiah for my Bible study book: I Survived! 5 Bible Characters

[Jan Norton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a study that is meant to go along with his commentary.