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! In fact,
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
Today, Jeremiah is
one of the most respected of all God’s prophets. In 590 BC, 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.
TODAY’S MEDITATION
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?
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