Day 236: Jeremiah 19, 20 and 21

Whoever stays in this city will die (Jeremiah 21:9).

Have you ever been the bearer of bad news? Jeremiah would answer, “Been there; done that!” This was Jeremiah's lot in life. His was the unpopular job of sounding the death knell for Jerusalem. Once, after sharing a warning from God, he was confined in stocks for 24 hours because of it. “That ought to shut him up!” Upon his release, he started right in again (20:1-6).

Then Jeremiah prayed a prayer of protest to God: I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the word of the Lord has brought me insult and reproach all day long (20:8). It cost Jeremiah dearly to preach God's word.

So how did Jeremiah feel when messengers came to him again asking, on behalf of King Zedekiah, for a good word about the impending Babylonian attack? “God has delivered us before. What kind of miracle does he have up his sleeve for us this time?” I wonder if Jeremiah was tempted to soften the blow. What he said must have hit the king like a sledgehammer: This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: . . . I myself will fight against you (21:4,5).

Today, Jeremiah is one of the most respected of all God's prophets. In 590 B.C., not so much. But I think he understood: A follower of God cannot measure his success by how much he's liked. Might as well accept it; ministry is not a popularity contest.

Reflect on times you’ve rejected an unpopular truth spoken by another. When's the last time you were rejected for speaking an unpopular truth? What can you learn?