For a second time Jeremiah records is thoughts regarding the difficulty of his assignment. The first complaint dialog between God and his prophet (in his writing though there is no way of know if it was the first complaint chronologically) is found in 15:10-21. God calls Jeremiah back to his task, assuring him of God on-going grace, protection, and provision. In 20:7-18 we find Jeremiah’s monologue about God’s mission. Jeremiah describes the terrible burden he is carrying. But his speech vacillates between complaints against God and praises of his wonderful nature. The prophets final probing questions regarding his life’s purpose are left unanswered.
It would be unwise to assume that these complaints are chronologically connected. What precedes the complaint is Jeremiah’s interaction with the priest Pashhur son of Immer. I would assume that a different man sought out the prophet after the record of his complaint, Pashhur son of Malchiah who served under Judah’s final king; Zedekiah.
Jeremiah’s monologue reveals a life struggling to find purpose in God’s plan. He feels betrayed by God at the same time he is passionate about God’s message to the people of covenant. He seems justifiably paranoid about the grumbling of the people around him, while he recognizing the way God has continued to grant him life; even if it isn’t always painless. Because he has been the recipient of so much injustice, Jeremiah so looks forward to seeing God’s plan judgment poured out that he lifts his voice in praise.
Stuart
No comments:
Post a Comment