Jeremiah 20: Navigating Persecution and Proclamation
Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the Lord, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things.
Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the Lord.
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Pashur brought forth Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then said Jeremiah unto him, The Lord hath not called thy name Pashur, but Magor–missabib.
For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends: and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and thine eyes shall behold it: and I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive into Babylon, and shall slay them with the sword.
Moreover I will deliver all the strength of this city, and all the labours thereof, and all the precious things thereof, and all the treasures of the kings of Judah will I give into the hand of their enemies, which shall spoil them, and take them, and carry them to Babylon.
And thou, Pashur, and all that dwell in thine house shall go into captivity: and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and shalt be buried there, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied lies.
O Lord, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.
For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the Lord was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily.
Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.
But the Lord is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.
But, O Lord of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause.
Sing unto the Lord, praise ye the Lord: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.
Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed.
Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man child is born unto thee; making him very glad.
And let that man be as the cities which the Lord overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide;
Because he slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb to be always great with me.
Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?
Jeremiah 20 delves into the tumultuous experience of the prophet Jeremiah, showcasing his unwavering commitment to God's message amidst intense opposition. This chapter offers a profound glimpse into the personal cost of prophetic ministry and the emotional struggles that accompany it. It also reveals the unwavering power of God's word within a faithful, albeit struggling, servant. Understanding the context of Jeremiah 20 helps to illuminate the prophet’s journey.
Public Humiliation and Divine Retribution (Jeremiah 20:1-6)
Jeremiah's prophetic ministry was not met with open arms. In Jeremiah 20:1-6, we encounter Pashhur, a priest and chief official in the temple, who embodies the resistance Jeremiah faced. Infuriated by Jeremiah's message of impending doom, Pashhur orders Jeremiah to be beaten and publicly humiliated by placing him in stocks at one of the temple gates. This act was intended to silence the prophet and discredit his message.
However, Pashhur's attempt to suppress God's word backfires. Upon his release, Jeremiah, undeterred, confronts Pashhur with a new prophetic declaration. He announces that God has renamed Pashhur "Terror Is on Every Side" (Jeremiah 20:3), a chilling foreshadowing of the terror that will engulf Pashhur and his family when Judah falls to Babylon. Jeremiah prophesies that Pashhur and his family will be deported to Babylon, where they will die (Jeremiah 20:6), a direct consequence of Pashhur's own false prophecies, perhaps intended to undermine Jeremiah's authentic message. This section highlights the futility of opposing God's will and the inevitable consequences of rejecting His truth.
A Prophet's Lament and Unquenchable Fire (Jeremiah 20:7-10)
The intensity of Jeremiah's experience leads to a raw and honest expression of his inner turmoil in Jeremiah 20:7-10. He doesn't shy away from expressing his feelings, even lamenting that God had, in a sense, "deceived" him by calling him to a ministry filled with such abuse and emotional pain (Jeremiah 20:7). This isn't a charge of dishonesty against God, but rather a cry of anguish from a burdened soul.
Despite his struggles, Jeremiah cannot escape the compelling power of God's word. Even when he tries to suppress it, he finds that it is "like a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones" (Jeremiah 20:9). He is compelled to speak, even though he faces constant threats and opposition. This internal conflict reveals the profound tension between Jeremiah's personal suffering and his unwavering commitment to God's calling. He is driven by a divine imperative, even as he faces the relentless animosity of those who seek his downfall (Jeremiah 20:10).
From Despair to Praise: The Warrior God (Jeremiah 20:11-13)
Amidst his lament, Jeremiah experiences a shift in perspective. In Jeremiah 20:11-13, he turns his gaze upward and erupts in praise to God, recognizing Him as a "violent warrior" on his side. He acknowledges God's power to bring vengeance upon his enemies, turning their evil intentions back upon themselves (Jeremiah 20:11-12).
Even while likely still experiencing the physical pain from his beating (Jeremiah 20:2), Jeremiah finds the strength to offer a song of praise to the Lord (Jeremiah 20:13). This is reminiscent of Paul and Silas in Acts 16:22-25, who, after being beaten and imprisoned, prayed and sang praises to God. Jeremiah's praise is a testament to the enduring power of faith, even in the face of unimaginable suffering. It demonstrates that even in our darkest moments, we can find hope and strength in God.
The Depths of Despair (Jeremiah 20:14-18)
The chapter concludes with a stark contrast to the preceding praise. Jeremiah plunges back into the depths of despair, expressing a profound lament that rivals even his most anguished cries. He wishes he had never been born (Jeremiah 20:14, 18), overwhelmed by the destruction and suffering he witnesses.
This raw expression of pain is similar to the prayers of Job, who endured immense suffering. It is a reminder that even the most faithful servants of God can experience moments of profound doubt and despair. Jeremiah's emotional fluctuations are a testament to the complexity of human experience and the reality of suffering in a broken world.
Jeremiah 20 offers a powerful and poignant portrait of a prophet caught between divine calling and human suffering. It reminds us that faithfulness does not guarantee an easy life, but that even in the midst of trials, God's presence and power can sustain us. It is a chapter that speaks to the complexities of faith, the reality of suffering, and the enduring hope found in a God who is both just and compassionate.
Final Messages of Judah’s Judgment (Jeremiah 21:1–25:38)
Jeremiah 20 serves as a prelude to the final messages of Judah's judgment found in Jeremiah 21:1–25:38. In Jeremiah 21:1-7, Jeremiah has a response for King Zedekiah, the last king of Judah before the nation’s fall to Babylon. Chapter 22, however, addresses the three kings who immediately preceded Zedekiah. This demonstrates that Jeremiah’s book does not always follow a neat chronological order.
Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the Lord, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things.
Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the Lord.
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Pashur brought forth Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then said Jeremiah unto him, The Lord hath not called thy name Pashur, but Magor–missabib.
For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends: and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and thine eyes shall behold it: and I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive into Babylon, and shall slay them with the sword.
Moreover I will deliver all the strength of this city, and all the labours thereof, and all the precious things thereof, and all the treasures of the kings of Judah will I give into the hand of their enemies, which shall spoil them, and take them, and carry them to Babylon.
And thou, Pashur, and all that dwell in thine house shall go into captivity: and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and shalt be buried there, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied lies.
O Lord, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.
For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the Lord was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily.
Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.
But the Lord is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.
But, O Lord of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause.
Sing unto the Lord, praise ye the Lord: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.
Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed.
Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man child is born unto thee; making him very glad.
And let that man be as the cities which the Lord overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide;
Because he slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb to be always great with me.
Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?
Jeremiah 20 delves into the tumultuous experience of the prophet Jeremiah, showcasing his unwavering commitment to God's message amidst intense opposition. This chapter offers a profound glimpse into the personal cost of prophetic ministry and the emotional struggles that accompany it. It also reveals the unwavering power of God's word within a faithful, albeit struggling, servant. Understanding the context of Jeremiah 20 helps to illuminate the prophet’s journey.
Public Humiliation and Divine Retribution (Jeremiah 20:1-6)
Jeremiah's prophetic ministry was not met with open arms. In Jeremiah 20:1-6, we encounter Pashhur, a priest and chief official in the temple, who embodies the resistance Jeremiah faced. Infuriated by Jeremiah's message of impending doom, Pashhur orders Jeremiah to be beaten and publicly humiliated by placing him in stocks at one of the temple gates. This act was intended to silence the prophet and discredit his message.
However, Pashhur's attempt to suppress God's word backfires. Upon his release, Jeremiah, undeterred, confronts Pashhur with a new prophetic declaration. He announces that God has renamed Pashhur "Terror Is on Every Side" (Jeremiah 20:3), a chilling foreshadowing of the terror that will engulf Pashhur and his family when Judah falls to Babylon. Jeremiah prophesies that Pashhur and his family will be deported to Babylon, where they will die (Jeremiah 20:6), a direct consequence of Pashhur's own false prophecies, perhaps intended to undermine Jeremiah's authentic message. This section highlights the futility of opposing God's will and the inevitable consequences of rejecting His truth.
A Prophet's Lament and Unquenchable Fire (Jeremiah 20:7-10)
The intensity of Jeremiah's experience leads to a raw and honest expression of his inner turmoil in Jeremiah 20:7-10. He doesn't shy away from expressing his feelings, even lamenting that God had, in a sense, "deceived" him by calling him to a ministry filled with such abuse and emotional pain (Jeremiah 20:7). This isn't a charge of dishonesty against God, but rather a cry of anguish from a burdened soul.
Despite his struggles, Jeremiah cannot escape the compelling power of God's word. Even when he tries to suppress it, he finds that it is "like a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones" (Jeremiah 20:9). He is compelled to speak, even though he faces constant threats and opposition. This internal conflict reveals the profound tension between Jeremiah's personal suffering and his unwavering commitment to God's calling. He is driven by a divine imperative, even as he faces the relentless animosity of those who seek his downfall (Jeremiah 20:10).
From Despair to Praise: The Warrior God (Jeremiah 20:11-13)
Amidst his lament, Jeremiah experiences a shift in perspective. In Jeremiah 20:11-13, he turns his gaze upward and erupts in praise to God, recognizing Him as a "violent warrior" on his side. He acknowledges God's power to bring vengeance upon his enemies, turning their evil intentions back upon themselves (Jeremiah 20:11-12).
Even while likely still experiencing the physical pain from his beating (Jeremiah 20:2), Jeremiah finds the strength to offer a song of praise to the Lord (Jeremiah 20:13). This is reminiscent of Paul and Silas in Acts 16:22-25, who, after being beaten and imprisoned, prayed and sang praises to God. Jeremiah's praise is a testament to the enduring power of faith, even in the face of unimaginable suffering. It demonstrates that even in our darkest moments, we can find hope and strength in God.
The Depths of Despair (Jeremiah 20:14-18)
The chapter concludes with a stark contrast to the preceding praise. Jeremiah plunges back into the depths of despair, expressing a profound lament that rivals even his most anguished cries. He wishes he had never been born (Jeremiah 20:14, 18), overwhelmed by the destruction and suffering he witnesses.
This raw expression of pain is similar to the prayers of Job, who endured immense suffering. It is a reminder that even the most faithful servants of God can experience moments of profound doubt and despair. Jeremiah's emotional fluctuations are a testament to the complexity of human experience and the reality of suffering in a broken world.
Jeremiah 20 offers a powerful and poignant portrait of a prophet caught between divine calling and human suffering. It reminds us that faithfulness does not guarantee an easy life, but that even in the midst of trials, God's presence and power can sustain us. It is a chapter that speaks to the complexities of faith, the reality of suffering, and the enduring hope found in a God who is both just and compassionate.
Final Messages of Judah’s Judgment (Jeremiah 21:1–25:38)
Jeremiah 20 serves as a prelude to the final messages of Judah's judgment found in Jeremiah 21:1–25:38. In Jeremiah 21:1-7, Jeremiah has a response for King Zedekiah, the last king of Judah before the nation’s fall to Babylon. Chapter 22, however, addresses the three kings who immediately preceded Zedekiah. This demonstrates that Jeremiah’s book does not always follow a neat chronological order.