A Study of Jeremiah 14:1–9 through the Lens of Ecotheology as an Effort to Preserve the Relationship between Nature and Humanity

Abstract

This study examines Jeremiah 14:1-9 through the lens of eco-theology as an effort to improve the relationship between nature and humans. God calls humans to protect and preserve the environment. However, the reality in this digital technology era is that humans damage and destroy the environmental order, resulting in an ecological crisis. As a result of these human actions, God punishes and warns humans to pay attention to and maintain the sustainability of the surrounding natural environment. Jeremiah provides an understanding of Jeremiah 14:1-9 that God has the power to teach the Israelites who are unfaithful and disobedient to God so that they experience a drought. Humans are considered the main actors in the ecological crisis that causes natural disasters such as drought. This study aims to provide humans with an understanding of eco-theology based on the analysis of Jeremiah 14:1-9 to call the awareness of human-nature relations that are stewardship towards harmony with nature and reduce the ecological crisis. The research method uses a descriptive qualitative method. The research was conducted by collecting, describing, analyzing and evaluating data through critical thinking from books, journal articles and the Bible related to the discussion. The result of this study is to offer a theological study of Jeremiah 14:1-9 in applying the understanding of eco-theology in human life as an alternative to overcoming the ecological crisis. The conclusion is to convey that through human awareness as God's creation, we are responsible for protecting the natural environment as a form of a meaningful and harmonious relationship between God and humans and His other creations.