SCRIPTURE: JEREMIAH 20
MEMORY VERSE:
“Sing to the Lord! Give praise to the Lord! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked.” (Jeremiah 20;:13)
Pashhur was the son of Immer, the chief officer in the temple of the Lord. He was a false prophet prophesying lies. When he heard Jeremiah prophesying, he had Jeremiah beaten and put in the stock at the Upper Gate of Benjamin at the Lord’s temple. The next day, Pashhur released Jeremiah and Jeremiah said to him: “The Lord’s name for you is not Pashhur, but Magor Missabib. For this what what the Lord says: “I will make a a terror to yourself and to all your friends; with your own eyes you will see them fall by the sword of their enemies. I will hand all Judah over to the king of Babylon, who will carry them away to Babylon or put them to the sword. I will hand over to their enemies the wealth of this city – all its products, all its valuables, and all the treasures of the kings of Judah. They will take it away as plunder and carry it off to Babylon. And you, Pashhur, and all who live in your house will go into exile to Babylon. There you will die and be buried, you and all your friends to whom you have prophesied lies.” (vs.3-6)
JEREMIAH’S COMPLAINT (VS. 7-18)
- I am ridiculed and mocked by everyone. (v. 7)
- Whenever I proclaim violence and destruction which you told me to say, I was insulted and reproached all day long. (v. 8)
- If I withhold your words your word is in my heart like a fire that shut up in my bones. (v. 9)
- Many wanted to report by waiting for me to slip so that they will prevail over me and take revenge against me. (v. 101)
JEREMIAH’S FAITH IN GOD
- The Lord is with me like a mighty warrior, so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. (v. 11a)
- My persecutors will fall and be thoroughly disgraced. Their dishonored will never be forgotten. (v. 11b)
- Let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you I have committed my cause. (v. 12)
THOUGHTS:
Pashhur punished Jeremiah for committing offenses against the temple. He has no saving faith in the land and opposed those who has a true experience and message. So Jeremiah gave Pashhur a new name “Fear on every side”. When the enemy appears, he would vanish.
Jeremiah was bold before man but broken before God. He faithfully proclaimed God’s word and received persecutions and sorrow. But when he withheld God’s word for a while, it became fire in his bones until he could no longer hold it. When God wants you to proclaim his words, you will feel compelled to share it with others regardless of the results. Always tell God how you feel and let Him apply the medicine to your heart. Sing praise when he answers your prayers.