Jeremiah was born to see hardship in his life. Yahuah choose Jeremiah to be His prophet and he had a difficult task as his prophesy included the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem.
Read Jeremiah chapter 19 to see what destruction was prophesied on the nation of Yahudah (Judah) due to their continues sin.
Jeremiah expresses his turmoil in the midst of his persecution by the people because of his repeating prophesy on the destruction of Jerusalem and the people of Yahudah.
Hear his words in Jeremiah 20:7-18 and imagine yourself being in his shoes. You have to feel sorry for what he went through but in this turmoil, Jeremiah still praises Yahuah.
Verse 7-8 O Yahuah, You enticed me, and I was enticed. You are stronger than I, and have prevailed. I have been ridiculed all day long, everyone mocks me. For when I speak, I cry out, proclaiming violence and ruin. Because the word of Yahuah was made to me a reproach and a derision daily.
Verse 9 Whenever I said, “Let me not mention Him, nor speak in His Name again,” it was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones. And I became weary of holding it back, and was helpless.
Jeremiah tried to keep quiet and not prophesy but his heart was on fire to speak the truth. With the Ruach (Spirit) we too should be on fire.
Verse 10-11 For I heard many mocking, “Fear on every side!” “Expose,” they say, “yea, let us expose him!” All my friends watched for my stumbling, saying, “He might be lured away, so that we prevail against him, and take our revenge on him.” But Yahuah is with me like a mighty, awesome one. Therefore, my persecutors shall stumble, and not prevail. They shall be greatly ashamed, for they have notacted wisely – an everlasting reproach never to be forgotten.
People were talking about persecuting Jeremiah but he knew Yahuah would protect him.
In the verses below Jeremiah feels sorry for himself (Don’t we sometimes do the same). I come forth from the womb to see toil and sorrow.
Verses 14-18 Cursed be the day in which I was born! Let the day not be blessed in which my mother bore me! Let the man be cursed who brought news to my father, saying, “A male child has been born to you,” making him very glad. And let that man be like the cities which Yahuah over threw, and repented not. Let him hear the cry in the morning and the shouting at noon, because I was not slain from the womb, so that my mother should have been my grave and her womb forever great. Why did I come forth from the womb to see toil and sorrow, and spend my days in shame?
As a believer, we must trust Yahuah’s Ruach presence in us no matter what we go through. Jeremiah expressed himself in sorrow but he still trusted Yahuah.
Jeremiah 20: 13 Sing to Yahuah. Praise Yahuah. For He has delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.
