Jeremiah’s Suffering I (18-20)
Introduction
1. Previously, Jeremiah’s life was threatened by a plot in
Anathoth, his hometown (11:18-23).
2. Now, however, Jeremiah’s ministry moves to Jerusalem,
and as his visibility increases, so does the danger.
3. This brief section contains two important signs, the
first physical abuse of Jeremiah, and his final complaint.
I.
Jeremiah, the Threatened Prophet (18:1-23)
A.
The Sign of the Potter (1-4)
1.
Jeremiah was sent to the potter’s house in order to hear the word of
Jehovah.
a)
As he watched the potter at work, the clay was marred and the intended
project was ruined.
b)
But with a craftsman’s skill, the potter reshaped the clay to make
another vessel instead.
2.
The potter is frequently used in the Bible to depict God’s sovereignty.
Is. 29:16; 64:8; Ro. 9:21
B.
The Significance of the Parable (5-11)
1.
This parable illustrates God’s work among the nations and His plan to
judge Judah. 18:5-11
a)
The interpretation is national, but the application is individual.
b)
National apostasy can only be remedied by individual, spiritual revival.
2.
God is free to respond to the obedience and disobedience within nations.
a)
When He intends to bring judgment but a nation repents, God can relent.
Jonah 3:4-10
b)
When He promises blessing but a nation rebels, God can bring curses.
De. 30:15-19
3.
National survival and security is ultimately a question of spirituality.
Pr. 14:34
a)
The greatest wealth and the most powerful army cannot protect from God’s
wrath.
b)
The weakest and poorest nation that turns to the LORD has
all the defense it needs.
C.
The Stubbornness of the People (12-17)
1.
The Israelites saw no hope in repentance, so they stubbornly persisted in
their sin. 18:12
a)
This is like many people today who cannot imagine it is possible to
improve their life!
b)
We must believe that our situation can improve if we turn to the LORD and
trust Him.
2.
Again the LORD describes the inconsistency and irrational behavior of His
people. 18:13-17
a)
Nature follows God’s appointed course, but God’s people have rejected His
plan.
b)
Man is the only part of the natural creation that rejects God’s will for
his existence.
3.
Consequently, God would scatter His people; He would turn His back on
them.
D.
The Scheme against the Prophet (18-23)
1.
The people did not like what they heard from Jeremiah, so they planned to
kill him. 18:18
a)
They had plenty of prophets, priests, and wise men to counsel; Jeremiah
was expendable.
b)
When men hate the message they reject the messenger and find a preacher
that pleases.
2.
Jeremiah was not to pray for the good of the people, so he prays for
their punishment. 18:19-23
a)
They are the ones he has sorrowed over and pled for, but they are
impenitently wicked.
b)
He prays for God to bring the judgment that Jeremiah had preached with
pain.
3.
Jeremiah’s words may seem harsh, but they reflect the sermons he preached
by inspiration.
a)
God demonstrates love by extending the gift of grace, but it does not
preclude His wrath.
b)
Cultivating God’s heart involves learning His love for men and His hatred
for sin. Ps. 45:7
II.
Jeremiah, the Persecuted Prophet (19:1-20:6)
A.
The Sign in Tophet (19:1-13)
1.
The second sign in this section was an action sermon that also involved
pottery. 19:1-13
a)
Jeremiah was to take representatives from the leaders to the Valley of
the Son of Hinnom.
b)
This Valley had been a location for idolatrous worship and child
sacrifice.
c)
King Josiah had turned it into a landfill (Gehenna)
where the garbage of Jerusalem burned.
d)
Jesus later used this place as an image of Hell. Mk. 9:43-44
2.
It must have taken great courage and conviction to preach this message
while under great danger.
a)
Though Jeremiah struggled privately with depression, outwardly he was
very bold.
b)
His stalwart attitude is an example for all of us to press on who may be
discouraged.
3.
Tophet means place of fire; the
Israelites had burned their children there. 2Chr. 28:3; Ps. 106:37
a)
Jeremiah prophesied that now it would be known as the Valley of
Slaughter.
b)
It would become a burial ground for those killed until there were no more
graves.
4.
The breaking of pottery was a symbol of God’s judgment and power over the
nations. Ps. 2:9
B.
The Sermon in the Temple (19:14-15)
1.
Jeremiah returned from Tophet and preached
the same sermon in the Temple court. 19:14-15
2.
Jeremiah preached both to the rulers and to the common people; God’s word
is for all.
C.
The Savage Response to Truth (20:1-6)
1.
Pashhur, the priest acting as officer over
the Temple, heard Jeremiah preach. 20:1-2
a)
He beat, i.e. whipped or scourged, Jeremiah and put him into the stocks
overnight.
b)
These stocks were designed to bend and distort the body into painful
positions.
2.
When Jeremiah was released the next day, he had a message from God.
20:3-6
a)
Pashhur would live to see God’s judgment and
to regret his actions.
b)
This is the first time Babylon was identified as God’s instrument, but it
was not the last time.
III.
Jeremiah, the Discouraged Prophet (20:7-18)
A.
Jeremiah Complains of His Ministry (7-10)
1.
This is the fifth and final complaint or confession of Jeremiah.
a)
He was a faithful man who struggled mightily with discouragement and
depression.
b)
As we noted last week, publicly he was bold but privately he was broken
before God.
2.
This complaint shows us the roller coaster of human emotions.
a)
First Jeremiah complains of his ministry, then he rejoices, then he
curses bitterly.
b)
We need to remember that highs and lows usually follow with comparable
intensity.
3.
The LORD induced (deceived) Jeremiah into taking on a ministry he was not
suited for. 20:7-10
a)
This complaint is obviously unjustified; chapter one shows no deception
or arm-twisting.
b)
Jeremiah was appointed to preach, and God empowers us to accomplish His
will. 2Co. 12:9
4.
Jeremiah was daily mocked and mistreated, and his words were turned
against him.
a)
He wanted to quit preaching, but God’s word was like a fire that could
not be held back.
b)
Even those he might have expected to be friends sought his defeat and
revenge.
B.
Jeremiah Confesses God’s Might (11-13)
1.
Jeremiah is struggling between how he feels and what he knows.
20:11-13
a)
He feels broken by his circumstances and unable to continue.
b)
But he knows God is great and will ultimately bring justice to the
offenders.
2.
The prophet confesses God’s greatness, prays for His judgments, and
praises His salvation.
C.
Jeremiah Curses His Birth (14-18)
1.
No sooner has Jeremiah praised God than he returns to the depths of
despair. 20:14-18
a)
He curses the day he was born; it would be better for him to never come
out of the womb.
b)
The birth of a male child was regarded a blessing, but Jeremiah was born
for adversity.
2.
This section gives us insight into the frailty of even a faithful heart
in wrestling with grief.
IV.
Applications
A.
Prepared to Work No Matter the Cost
¨
Are we ready to do God’s will and speak His truth no matter the
consequence? Mt. 10:21-39
B.
Empowered to Fulfill God’s Purpose
¨
Do we believe that God will strengthen us to do His will, no
matter how hard? 2Co. 12:7-10
¨
God will not place a burden on us that is greater than we can
bear. Php. 4:13; 1Co. 10:13
C.
Praising God in the Midst of Pain
¨
Can we mix our prayers of complaints with prayers of praise in the
midst of pain? Job 13:14
Conclusion
1. Jeremiah’s example is powerful; it breaks our hearts to
see his pain even as we marvel at his strength.
2. This man suffered more than we likely ever will; will we
find strength in his story to overcome our excuses?