Day 224 – Jeremiah 18-22

Talking Points

• God teaches His sovereignty over the nations through the potter. Notice, though, it’s not without mercy toward those who would repent. His power, justice, and love are in perfect harmony.
• Jeremiah continues his proclamation of the word of God. We see the resulting tough plight of God’s spokesman, as Jeremiah makes his complaints known. He is a laughingstock, mocked, beaten, and publicly ridiculed. His close friends have abandoned him; “All [his] trusted friends [are] watching for [his] fall” (Jeremiah 20:10). He is lonely and says his life is one of trouble, sorrow, and shame (20:18). Even Jeremiah is weary of the hard message he must deliver, and wishes he’d never been born. Today, this many years removed, I hurt for this faithful servant of God.
• Yet, his response, even in the midst of all of this is to “Sing to the LORD, praise the LORD!” (20:13).
• King Zedekiah, seeking his coming doom at the hand of Babylon, asks for God’s deliverance: “perhaps the LORD will deal with us according to all HIs wonderful acts, that the enemy may withdraw from us” (21:2). His response is driven by fear and not a true trust in God. Even in turning to God, his motivation was self-consumed. Simply, he wanted the benefits from God without a relationship with Him. If we are not careful, we can take on this same attitude, today.

Thoughts

We find this same pattern throughout Scripture. Those who know God, who have His Word, who have been called to proclaim it cannot let go of it, no matter the cost. And, there is always a cost. Jeremiah, who had interceded on the people’s behalf and done nothing but plead with them to return to the LORD, became the target of their evil conspiracies. He is aware of their plan to silence him. Can you imagine — actually knowing that your once-trusted friends want you silenced, when all you are doing is sharing the word of the LORD with them? He says that for him, “the word of the LORD has resulted in reproach and derision all day long” (Jeremiah 20:8).

Yet, Jeremiah’s response was to keep speaking. He kept his hand to the plow (Luke 9:62). He said that if he were to be silent, God’s Word would become “like a burning fire Shut up in [his] bones” (Jeremiah 20:9). But, why? Why would anyone in his right mind do this? One reason — faith. He actually believed God. He trusted in who He is. He was convinced that what God said was right and true.

In Hebrews 11, in what is known as the “Hebrews Hall of Faith,” many who followed this pattern are listed and described. It says that “the prophets…by faith…performed acts of righteousness…experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment… [were] afflicted, [and] ill-treated” (Hebrews 11:32-37). The only thing that would give mere people the strength and courage to endure such treatment is faith.

As we read of these people — just people — who had this kind of faith, as we read of God’s character and His trustworthiness, and as we speak of Him and His gospel, Lord, let us grow in our faith. Let us keep speaking, keep trusting, no matter the cost. Don’t let go.