Read Jeremiah 20.
Jeremiah delivered the message just as the LORD instructed him. The
reaction was swift and painful. The chief officer of the Temple, a priest
named Pashhur, judged Jeremiah as inciting the people and beat him with 40
lashes (Deuteronomy 25:2-3). Then, he placed Jeremiah in stocks so the people
could mock the prophet as he suffered.
But Jeremiah changed neither his mind nor his message. Instead, he called
Pashhur "Terror on Every Side" to emphasize what was going to happen
to this priest, Jerusalem, and Judah. Then, Jeremiah named the enemy who
will bring the terror upon them. In a prophetic word, this is the first
mention of Babylon in the book and he used it four times (vv.4-6).
Hurting physically and emotionally from this experience, Jeremiah cried out to
God with unusual transparency. He faithfully preached God's word and
suffering within an inch of his life became his reward. It felt as though
the LORD had "deceived" him. He thought about not speaking on
God's behalf any longer. He wanted to quit. But the word of God was
like a raging fire within him. He could not hold it in. God would
be victorious but eternity was at stake for the people (v.11).
Notice the seesaw of his emotions. When he remembered God's perspective
he could "Sing to the LORD; and praise the LORD!" But when he
took his eyes off the LORD and looked at his circumstances, he just wanted to
die (vv.13-18).
The Apostle Paul also suffered repeatedly as he spread the good news of Jesus
throughout the Roman Empire. Why would a man keep doing this? He
explained: "For the love of God controls (constrains, arrests, seizes)
us." "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his
appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to
God." (2 Corinthians 5:14, 20)
May the good news of Jesus so burn within us today that we must share it with
others. Their eternity is at stake.
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