Jeremiah 20 reminds me of the term “Whistleblower”. We use it to describe someone that publicly reports corruption or lawlessness at their own risk. It refers to the whistle of a policeman or referee stopping an action. Often the person blowing the whistle will suffer retaliation from the corrupt people in charge. What happened when Jeremiah pointed out the failings of the Jewish power structure? “When the priest… in charge of the temple… heard Jeremiah prophesying… he had Jeremiah the prophet beaten and put in the stocks”. Remember that Jeremiah had pointed out that the priests had led the nation in forsaking God and literally sacrificing children to false idols. Jeremiah boldly proclaimed God’s Word of judgment against such evil. He was right, but he was still beaten. Jeremiah does not stop speaking. After being released from the stocks, he is emboldened, “The Lord’s name for you is… Terror on Every Side”. He changes his name from security to terror, and Jeremiah continues. The Lord Says, “I will make you a terror to yourself and to all your friends… you will see them fall by the sword of their enemies… the king of Babylon… will carry them away to Babylon or put them to the sword”. He is on a roll, “I will deliver all the wealth… into the hands of their enemies… all who live in your house will go into exile to Babylon. There you will die and be buried, you and all your friends to whom you have prophesied lies”. Where are the whistleblowers today?
Sometimes we spiritualize people, as if they do not face temptation, or self-doubt. Every leader, champion or preacher has human frailties. Jeremiah is no exception. In his prayer time he bears his soul to God, “You deceivedme, Lord, and I was deceived… I am ridiculed all day long… Whenever I speak… everyone mocks me”. There is no halo, there is only frustration. He does not understand his roll, all he knows is “proclaiming violence and destruction… has brought me insult and reproach”. I believe God does not always choose the best and brightest, but the willing. Jeremiah explains why he must continue, “His word is in my heart”. Even though he knows it would be easier for him to just stay quiet, “indeed, I cannot”.
Again, he is not immune to the world around him, “I hear many whispering…waiting for me to slip”. Here is his singular source of confidence, “But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior”. There are few things in life that will motivate a man to endure prolonged hardships. Aside from protecting loved ones, and the love of a spouse; certainty in God’s guidance is the only other thing that sustains. He concludes, “My persecutors will stumble They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced”. Jeremiah desires vindication, “Lord Almighty, You who examine the righteous and probe the heart and mind, let me see Your vengeance on them”. Perhaps reminding himself the way out of the funk, he shouts, “Sing to the Lord! Give praise to the Lord!” There is no doubt that Jeremiah understood the difficulty ahead. No one likes to explain consequences. “Cursed be the day I was born!” What can we do for the leader who stands for righteousness? He may appear bulletproof, but inside he may say, “Why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow and to end my days in shame?” We can encourage him with God’s Word! “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows… Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:7-9). Is there someone you can encourage today?