Jeremiah... Jeremiah!
Wake up! Wake up, Jeremiah!
Don't you remember what day it is?
We leave for Jerusalem immediately. Your mother's waiting outside.
Jeremiah! Hurry!
Come. The king promises a Passover
they will remember throughout the ages.
Do you know why today will be so memorable, son?
We're celebrating the restoration of Solomon's Temple.
And King Josiah finding the laws of Moses.
Think of it.
The laws of our people lost for a hundred years,
then the king finds them,
and gives them once again to the people.
It is as if God Himself was giving us a second chance.
It's a great honor, for your father
to perform a sacrifice at the temple on this day of all days.
As a descendant of Aaron-
a Kohen, a priest,
it will be your turn to have such an honor one day, too.
Jeremiah, stay close to us.
Mother, I'm not going to get lost.
Look at the beauty of these gates, Jeremiah.
Jerusalem is the glory of our people,
and a light for all the inhabitants of the earth.
No one can destroy this city, son.
The Lord dwells in it.
I want to show Jeremiah the inside of the temple.
I'll find a place in front.
Son, do you see the stairs at the back?
They lead up to the Holy of Holies.
You're standing only a few meters from the actual stones
that God's own finger touched to write His commandments.
They're the testimony of the covenant between God and His people.
We must abide by His Law if we wish to remain free.
I will teach my children His Laws.
And they, in turn, shall teach their children, Jeremiah.
That is the covenant.
(rising cheers)
- Who's coming? - It's our king,
the great King Josiah.
Look carefully, Jeremiah. What do you see?
Before I formed you in your mother's womb,
I consecrated you. You are a prophet.
You'll speak to whom I send you, Jeremiah,
and you will speak whatever I command you.
Oh, Lord... I do not know how to speak.
I'm only a boy.
Do not say, "I'm only a boy."
Now I have put My words into your mouth.
Today I appoint you...
over nations, and over kingdoms.
Do not fear them, for I am with you to deliver you.
But I am only a boy!
Jeremiah...
Jeremiah!
Jeremiah, wake up!
- You were dreaming. - Dreaming?
Crying out in the night.
"I'm only a boy," you were shouting.
Hail, Nebuchadnezzar,
Babylon's new king!
(cheering)
You have defeated the Egyptians.
Now, there's nothing left to oppose your power.
Now...
the world is mine.
Let's go get...
what the gods have given to Babylon.
To Jerusalem!
"For this commandment I command thee this day,
it is not hidden from thee,
but the word is in thy mouth and in thy heart.
If you shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God,
thou will turn unto Him
with all thine heart, and with all thy soul,
the Lord will again rejoice over thee for good,
as He rejoiced over thy fathers."
As it was spoken,
so shall it be according to the Word of the Lord,
found by our beloved King Josiah,
may he rest in peace.
Thank you, my lord.
- May God be with you, my lord. - And with you, my boys.
Tonight begins the Lord's day.
The day after the Sabbath begins yours.
What do you mean, Father?
We go to Jerusalem.
I've arranged a great honor for you.
Come, your mother has prepared a feast to celebrate the Sabbath.
- Join us, Ephraim. - Thank you,
- but my family awaits me. - What is this honor, Father?
You both helped me well in the past
in preparing the ritual offering.
In two days' time,
you will each perform your own.
You will have an opportunity to put your priesthood into practice
for the first time at the altar in the Temple at Jerusalem.
For whom will you be making this offering?
- The Lord. - Of course!
I meant, on whose behalf?
Let that be a secret until tomorrow,
but it should be enough to say it will not be
a sandalmaker or a shepherd.
You've been watching me again, haven't you?
No... I was-
It's proper to announce yourself when making a visit.
But...
I wish I had half the boldness you have.
That's why we make such a good couple.
You can rely upon my boldness,
and I can rely upon your sweetness.
I'm going to perform my first offering at the Temple.
In Jerusalem.
Come tell my father. He'll be so proud.
No, no, I promised my father I'd be home before sunset...
But you had to see me, huh?
I had to see you.
- I'm late. - Come back later.
And next time let me know when you get here!
Blessed is the Lord,
who has sanctified the day of the Sabbath.
- To our Lord. - And the King of Judah.
At least, King Josiah stood up to the Egyptians at Meggido,
God rest his soul.
Now his son, Jehoiakim, lays down for them.
Babylon arms itself on one side, and Egypt on the other.
Instead of taking action, we spend our time
glorifying the past without consideration for the future.
We'll be crushed, again. Judah must remain independent!
It is the Sabbath!
God rested on this day. Can we not as well?
Father...
I'd like to take a bride.
Oh...
Does this bride have a name?
Judith.
- So that's why you were late? - Yes.
Judith comes from a fine family, my son.
You have my blessing, if you seek it.
Speak to Judith's father and seek his.
Then we can all celebrate.
Our son has an announcement to make.
Get out of the way, fool!
- Come. - Why are the king's men here?
Shhh! I just want to hear what they're saying.
I know that in two days' time
the king will give you his judgment.
But I want to give you a chance;
I will pay the debt in your place,
but I want your daughter in return.
I prefer slavery- a hundred times over!
Think about it, old man.
Slavery for you and your entire family?
Get out!
Let's see how proud you are
when you are cleaning Ezer's floor with your tongue.
Get out!
How long has your father been in trouble?
I don't know.
We'll have to find some way to help him.
My father is a very important man, you know?
Anyone who could arrange for his son to perform great acts
for the finest people in Jerusalem must be very important.
I'm sure the king will be just in his judgment
and allow your father the time he needs to pay back his debt.
There's no need to worry.
After the king has expressed his judgment,
I will help Judith's family pay their debt,
and I will marry her. You have friends who can help?
Of course. We will contact whoever is necessary.
Understand, my son, that if, and I said "if,"
things do not turn out as we would hope
for Judith and her family, according to the law,
debtors only have to serve seven years...
- Seven years! - Seven years...
for those to whom they are in debt, and then they shall go free.
You're not suggesting this will happen?
I leave it to the prophets to foretell the future.
I can only say what is happening today.
And today my son must prepare himself
for the most important moment in his life,
his first sacrifice for the one true God in Jerusalem.
Jeremiah.
Look carefully, Jeremiah.
What do you see?
I see an almond tree.
What is its season?
It is ready to sprout.
You have seen well.
As this tree is in a hurry to sprout,
so God is in a hurry to carry out His Word.
It is time for you to speak.
Stand and tell them everything as I command.
Who are you?
It is time, Jeremiah.
No.
Leave me be.
I'm just a simple man.
It is time.
No.
No...
No!
We will remain in the city until tomorrow, in the Temple.
Today it is Ephraim's turn. Tomorrow it will be yours,
but I want you to observe today's sacrifice,
so that tomorrow you'll be more prepared.
Are you going to tell us now, what great people we'll serve?
All I can say is there will be people of consequence at the Temple.
Spices for everybody!
I'm going to hear the king�s judgment.
I want to make sure everything goes well for Judith and her family.
I'll be waiting for you at the Temple.
My son, it's very important to me that you be properly prepared
to offer the sacrifice tomorrow.
- Please don't be late. - I understand, Father.
Prepare well, Ephraim. You'll need it.
I'll come with you.
God knows you need protection.
Don't worry, my lord. We'll be back in time.
Everything will be all right. Justice will be served.
Do you know that man next to the king?
It is Mattaniah, the king's brother. Quiet.
This is a time of great prosperity for our people,
a prosperity that comes as a consequence of the trust
between those engaged in any transaction,
a simple trust that what is borrowed will be replaced.
When that trust is violated,
the prosperity of our people is threatened.
He who violates that trust must be punished.
It is our judgment that Eliakim, in refusing to pay his debt,
should surrender his property and rights,
and both Eliakim and his family will henceforth serve
and be subject to the demands of Ezer, his creditor.
- Justice as promised! - Thank you.
Let him take the men. Spare the girl, that I may have her.
Come now.
Come, Jeremiah, we must get to the Temple.
Yes, I'll meet you there.
First, I must speak with Judith's father.
Be strong, very strong.
- Do you have relatives here? - Yes, my father's cousins.
They traveled from Bahurim to show us their support.
You must flee. She must go with them at once. Come.
I can't leave my father, my family. They need my help, especially now.
Take Judith with you.
If you hurry, you can get her out of Jerusalem now.
We have enough difficulties. Please, Jeremiah...
The Laws of God will protect you, God be willing.
They may not hold enough weight in this world to protect Judith.
There are those who will seize upon your misfortune
and turn it to their advantage- with Judith as their prize.
- How do you know this? - You must trust me.
Father...
Let's go.
Come, Judith.
I must fulfill my father's wishes at the Temple.
I cannot let him down...
nor will I let you down.
We must go.
Come along!
Into the cart!
All right, all right!
Come on!
Offering for the Lord!
There will always be peace in Jerusalem,
and prosperity for Judah,
for God has chosen us as His people.
That is why we gather at this Temple of the Lord...
Offering for the Lord!
(arguing in Aramaic)
...from every country,
a god for every purpose...
You have seen well, Jeremiah. You have seen well,
for My people are foolish.
They are skilled in doing evil,
but how to do good they know not.
Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.
You will speak for Me, Jeremiah.
Where have you been? We were expecting you.
I know, Father, I'm sorry.
Ephraim was brokenhearted you weren't here for his offering.
Ephraim was brokenhearted because his offering
was not before the king.
Jeremiah!
He told me about the judgment.
I tried to prepare you for what to expect.
I have compassion for Judith and her family,
but God will watch over them.
How can He watch over you if you don't help?
Let's get started.
Son...
come.
(cheering)
It's your turn, Jeremiah.
They have grown fat and sleek.
They know no bounds in deeds of wickedness.
They judge not with justice the cause of the fatherless,
to make it prosper,
and they do not defend the rights of the needy.
Shall I not punish them for these things?
Jeremiah...
I put My words into your mouth.
What are you doing?
Father...
Jehoiakim...
Mattaniah...
all of you.
Hear the Word of the Lord!
Thus says the Lord of Hosts,
the God of Israel,
"Amend your ways and your doings
and I will let you dwell in this place.
Do not trust in these deceptive words:
'This is the Temple of the Lord,
the Temple of the Lord...
Temple of the Lord.'
For if you truly execute justice one with another,
and if you do not oppress the alien,
or shed innocent blood in this place,
I will let you dwell in this place,
in the land I gave of old to your fathers forever.
You trust in deceptive words to no avail.
Will you steal, murder...
commit adultery, swear falsely,
burn incense to Baal,
and go after other gods that you have not known,
and then come and stand before Me,
in this house which is called by My name,
and say, 'We are delivered,'
only to go on committing all these abominations?
Behold,
I Myself have seen it,"
says the Lord.
He has prophesied.
Hilkiah,
you spoke well of this boy...
but to us it looks like he's beside himself with emotion.
You served us well, and you may return,
but I do not want to see your son here again.
Understood?
You shall not speak in the name of the Lord,
- or you will die. - Father!
Do not blaspheme again.
Father...
Father?
Why didn't you help me?
Jeremiah!
I hear you made quite an impression yesterday.
I guess I did.
I told you I should have been the one serving the king.
It would have been wiser.
- You're leaving. - Yes.
- What can I do? - Look after my parents for me,
and keep your heart as open as that scheming brain of yours.
Ephraim...
I'm hearing these voices,
having these dreams.
I think God himself
is calling me to say these things,
do these things.
When I was at the altar
in Jerusalem, in front of the king,
I felt this fire in me, as if God Himself...
was speaking through me.
I don't know how else these words could have come.
It doesn't matter.
Whatever has happened has led me to do
what you've urged me to do-
take Judith as my wife.
And for that,
I thank you, my friend.
Go with God.
(wind howling)
Look carefully, Jeremiah.
What do you see?
An overturned pot.
In what direction?
From north to south.
Out of the north,
evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.
And I will utter My judgments against all the cities of Judah,
for all their wickedness in forsaking Me.
Please, Lord, leave me be.
Say to them everything that I command you.
They shall fight against you,
but they shall not prevail against you,
for I am with you to deliver you.
Not me, Lord, not me!
I served you in Jerusalem.
Please, now I beg you, let me go my own way.
You shall not take a wife,
nor shall you have sons or daughters.
What?
Why?
For all the children and the mothers
shall die a grievous death in this land,
because their fathers have not kept My law.
Lord, you cannot burden me with this!
Go-
and proclaim it in the hearing of Jerusalem.
You cannot ask me to return to Jerusalem.
They will stone me.
The king will have me banished.
Give me a sign, Lord, please,
so they will believe me.
Do not make me do this alone!
Lord...
do not make me do this alone.
Jeremiah?
I'm Baruch,
a scribe at the Temple.
I heard you were going to Bahurim. I had to find you.
I heard you speak.
Those words were not your own.
No one can speak like that unless they're inspired by God.
You are a prophet and I want to stay with you.
I'm tired of the hypocrisy in Jerusalem.
It will be a hard life, Baruch.
The Lord has ordered me back to Jerusalem.
- To risk your life? - To proclaim His Word.
If we can get the king and the whole house of Judah to listen,
He will forgive them.
Come.
What have you brought?
- My scrolls. - Let's write God's words.
You'll read them in the Temple in Jerusalem.
This saith the Lord: "Execute ye judgment...
and righteousness,
and deliver the spoils out of the hand of the oppressor.
And do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger,
the fatherless, the widow,
neither shed innocent blood in this place.
For if you do this thing indeed,
then shall there enter in by the gates of this house
kings sitting upon the throne of David.
But if you will not hear these words,
I swear by Myself," saith the Lord,
"that the King of Babylon shall come
and he shall destroy this country..."
This is an outrage!
We must speak to the king.
What is your name?
Baruch.
Jeremiah dictated these words to you, didn't he?
Yes.
Baruch, we believe that God has spoken to Jeremiah.
We want you to give us this scroll
so that we may read it to the king,
and convince him Jeremiah speaks the truth.
But you must understand,
if we fail, there are those who will want Jeremiah killed.
And maybe you, too.
He said the King of Babylon will come and destroy us?
He said this would come to pass only if we didn't mend our ways
in the eyes of the Lord.
Let me see this document he was reading.
Do you realize what he said?
"The King of Babylon shall destroy this country!"
That's treason!
As long as the Egyptians protect us,
it'll be very difficult for that to happen.
Brother...
with the Babylonians threatening, our people need to be reminded
of their strengths, not their weaknesses.
And Hilkiah's son, this Jeremiah,
claims to speak for the Lord? A prophet?
My lord-!
We must go.
They didn't listen.
The king burned the scroll.
We must try again.
Do you know what that would mean?
The Lord said He's with me, with us.
He will deliver us.
How can you be sure?
I have prophesied!
The Babylonians are here, just as the Lord had said.
We must find a safe haven until we've written a new scroll.
Then we can continue the work of the Lord.
It may be too late for the king, but not for Jerusalem. Come!
Father...
Say your prayers at your uncle's bedside.
- Go comfort your cousin. - Yes, Father.
The people of Judah need your help.
Jehoiakim is far too ill to deal with the Babylonians.
Do you think the people would have me as their king?
If not you, who?
Jehoiachin, your brother's son?
Nebuchadnezzar might just as well proclaim himself as King of Judah.
My brother was born to be king.
I never thought he would go so soon.
It is a man's willingness to answer God's calling
that tests the man.
I will send an embassy of submission to King Nebuchadnezzar.
And you must persuade your brother's son to turn himself in,
along with his mother and all those of his family...
to save the city.
The Babylonians will deport them!
And they will surely proclaim you as the new King of Judah.
Only after the old one's spirit departs us.
I'm sorry to hear about your father's death,
but you have been wise to turn yourself over to me.
You will benefit from this.
You will be my lifelong guest at the court in Babylon.